I’m a Self-Made Millionaire: Here’s How Often I Check My Credit Score
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Amen Oyiboke
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Your credit score can make or break your financial future. But how often should you actually check it? A recent GOBankingRates survey of 1,021 Americans reveals some interesting habits about how often people check their scores. About 40% check monthly, while a quarter look every few months. Interestingly, nearly 20% rarely or never check their scores. The rest are split between annual checkers and those who only look before major financial decisions.
But do these habits align with those of financial high-achievers? We spoke with two self-made millionaires to get their insights on credit score monitoring.
The Quarterly Checker
Sara J., who works in the San Francisco Bay Area in tech, is fairly engaged with her credit score.
“I make it a point to check my credit score every quarter,” she said. “It’s not something I obsess over, but I kinda think it’s important to stay informed about what’s happening with my finances.”
This habit has paid off for Sara in tangible ways. She shared an important moment: “A few years ago, just before buying a house, I caught an error on my credit report. Thank goodness I was checking on my own, because I know I saved a chunk of change!”
The Rare Glancer
On the other hand, Danielle Stepien, CEO and president of Igniter Engineering, takes a much more hands-off approach.
“Almost never,” she said when asked about checking her credit score. “When we need cash or a big purchase, which is almost never, I normally get ‘creative’ with funding methods and don’t use big banks anyway, in which case I don’t need their approval.”
She shared more: “I check it personally when I buy a car or when I want favorable terms on a house mortgage potentially, but the interest rates aren’t great these days so I use creative funding for most of my purchases and try to almost never rely on traditional banking and financing, as it is limiting and typically biased in one way or another.”
Finding Your Balance
What this illustrates is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to credit monitoring.
If you’re building a business or planning major purchases, more frequent checks like Sara’s quarterly review might be beneficial. However, if you’re in a stable financial position and don’t need traditional financing, Stepien’s approach of checking only when necessary might be the way to go.
The most important thing is developing a practice of keeping in touch with your credit score – whether it’s once a day or once a month. Many bank apps now allow you easy access to your credit score so there’s no excuse not to keep on top of it. While you don’t need to check your score obsessively, periodic reviews can help you maintain financial health and spot potential issues before they become major problems.
Remember, your credit score is just one piece of your overall financial picture. Combine smart credit management with solid business practices, innovative funding strategies, and careful financial planning to build a strong foundation for your success.
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