Your goal as a consumer should be to establish a strong credit history. Doing so can affect many aspects of your life such as buying or leasing housing, using utilities connected to your home, and even applying for a job.

You can protect your good credit history by:

• Borrowing only what you need and can afford.
• Utilizing debt consolidation features available to you so that you can pay off your bills quickly and with less interest.
• Taking on more credit only if you're spending less each month than you take home.
• Paying your bills as early as you can in the payment cycle to keep finance charges low and improve your credit record.
• Closing out accounts you're not using.
• Not Utilizing all your credit limits.
• Trying to pay more than the minimum payment required, or the entire account balance on credit cards each month.
• Not skipping or making late payments.
• Signing up to have your bills paid directly from your personal checking account, where available.
• Checking your credit report to ensure information is accurate.
  Equifax Credit File Ordering System, 800-685-1111
  Experian, 888-397-3742
  Trans Union Corporation, 800-888-4213

You should also know the credit warning signs that you're in too much debt.
You know you're in trouble if:

• You're not sure how much debt you owe.
• You're making only the minimum payment amount.
• You are consistently late with your payments.
• You are denied credit.
• You're at the maximum credit limit on your credit cards and other loans.
• You get occasional calls from collection agencies.

What should you do if you're experiencing credit problems?
If you need help handling or budgeting for expenses, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling Service, a non-profit organization, can help you. You may reach them by calling 800-388-2227.