Whether you are in the market to buy a new house this month, or it's part of your long-term future goals, you should keep an eye on your credit score. It's never too late to turn your credit around. Here are some helpful hints to improve your credit score. 


1. Always pay on time! It may seem like a little thing to miss a payment, but those add up to harm your credit score. Check to see if your service has an automatic bill pay if you are forgetful.

2. Keep your credit owed within limits.  Do not over spend. A good ratio is not having your unsecured credit outstanding above 50% of your annual salary.  Keep your credit within limits.

3. Maintain a good mix of good and bad loans
Home loans and business loans are considered good loans. Personal loans and credit are considered bad loans. Investing in a home loan is a good decision.

4. Pay high-interest loans and small loans first. That way, you don't have interest rates building up. Make a payment calendar, so you can keep track of your payment goals.

5. Close unwanted savings accounts. Never abandon an account without closing them.  If you have less than a minimum balance, close it, or bank may charge a maintenance fee.

6. Check your credit reports regularly. Make sure you are using a service that does not flag your checking as an official inquiry. 

7. Monitor your information and activity, especially if is a joint account. Have a household budget. Keep track of who is spending, and how much. 

8. Negotiate if you cannot pay on time.  Take action, do not just not pay.

9.  Check your credit score at least one time a year.

You can always improve your credit score. Following these pieces of advice are good steps in the journey to excellent credit. 

Moving is always a stressful time in a household. With so many things to clean, organize and pack, having a plan can be one of the most helpful things you do. This little list can go a long way in making your move so much easier. 

1. Have a Master plan
 Write down all of the steps for your move in a moving journal, or a Google Document.      Who are your movers? What is your budget? How many boxes did you buy and what is going to go in them? Having all of this information in one easy, accessible place is key to your moving success.

2, De-Clutter
Take a look at everything in your house. Everything. Is it something you really love? Is it something that you want to carefully wrap, pack, move, unbox, unwrap, and place back in your house? If you say no to any of of those steps, it can be something that you can leave behind. Toss it. Donate it to organizations. Give it to friends or family. There are a lot of different ways to scale down things you don't need.

3. Pack Smart
     1. Make sure to buy enough packing tape, boxes, and padding for all of your items
     2. Do not pack breakables and sharp or heavy items in the same box. I've seen people          pack Pyrex bowls in the same boxes as +heavy, metal tea pots. It did not go well.
     3. Make sure you pad all of your breakables well
     4. Pack one room at a time. Label all boxes with either colored stickers, tape, or big 
     clear, letters.
     5. Make a packing inventory. What went in each box? What box goes in each room? This
     inventory would be a good thing for the Master List.

4. Check Your Lists
Make sure you consult your lists often.

5. Think about help
Did you enlist family or friends to help? Did you hire professional movers? Either way, remember that moving isn't something you have to do on your own.