Knowing where to find your credit score and understanding what it means are key to effectively managing your finances.
There are also a number of websites, like Credit Karma, that offer free credit scores when you sign up for their services.
Length of credit history (15%): A longer credit history is a positive, but not a requirement for a good score.
Credit score vs. credit reportIf you look at a credit score as the grade lenders use to determine your creditworthiness, think of the credit report as all the "work" that goes into that grade.
Keeping a close eye on your credit score and credit reports, whether you get them for free or pay for them, are key to staying on sound financial footing.