*Please note that this is a sponsored post with Capital One Canada – our disclosure can be found at all times by clicking here.
When I was at Carleton University, I couldn’t wait to log on to the website after an exam to get my score. Same thing when I have taken an IQ test (is 182 good?). When my husband and I play Mario Kart, I’m always trying to get the best score (especially if I’m beating Julio, which I usually do). When I take a spelling test that someone has shared on Facebook, I wait anxiously to learn my excellent score. It’s natural to be competitive and to measure your abilities and success based on how you “score,” but are we focused on the score that really matters? Growing up, I didn’t know (or care) what my credit score was. I thought it was a random figure assigned to me by credit card companies based on whether I paid my bill on time. I would later learn the hard way that this number would have the most affect on my life.
Credit Keeper*, by Capital One, has taught me the basics and the value of what score is the most important in my life, and how to ensure I maintain a great one. Of course, a good exam score was important in getting my degree, having a good IQ and being a proficient speller are important things to have, but they really don’t affect whether I am able to get a mortgage or build my business. Technically, a credit score is a numerical expression based on an analysis of a person’s credit files, representing their “creditworthiness” and thus the risk taken by financial institutions in lending you money. You can get a fingerhut account through creditknocks.com, as well as taking numerous other routes in order to improve your credit score, which not many people realise you can do. Having a bad credit score doesn’t spell the end of your success in life.
Your credit report will include debts, payment histories, credit card accounts you have opened and other information such as former employers and addresses. By monitoring your credit score, you will be able to improve your current financial situation. It can help you find out how to get credit cards with no credit if you’re lacking in credit and it can also show you ways to improve your credit score to make you look more reliable to possible lenders. It’s true that your ability to pay on time is a key factor which lending institutions consider, but they also look at utilization of credit (credit used vs. credit available), borrowing history, and significant issues like previous bankruptcies. My score obsession has led me to check my free Credit Keeper tool weekly, to ensure I maintain a good score.
Did you know, checking your credit score is essential in verifying that you haven’t been a victim of fraud, an essential point since March is Fraud Prevention Month. If you check your credit score and discover that someone has taken out a car loan, credit card or opened any new credit accounts in your name, Capital One Canada has some key tips to help you move forward. Even if you’ve never been a victim of fraud, trust me when I say, you don’t want to be! It’s worth taking the extra precautions to protect yourself as identity theft can leave a lasting impression on your credit score! Capital One Canada shares their top tips on how to start protecting yourself from fraud to help keep you safe from identity theft.
So, what does this mean in the big picture? We all know that to get a mortgage or lease a property, you need a good credit score. Sure, you can go to someone like Mortgages For Less to help you find better rates but there is only so much a mortgage broker can do if your score isn’t where it should be. The lender needs to know that you will not default on your obligation. We all know that you need a good credit score to borrow money, to obtain a credit card or to increase your credit limit. But did you know that the interest rate you are offered could be based on your credit score? That can mean thousands or tens of thousands of dollars when applying for a mortgage. Did you know that having a good credit score may affect whether you get a job? Many prospective employers will run a credit check, as it is seen as a reflection of your reliability. Did you know that your credit score can affect your love life? Most pre-marital and marriage counsellors will stress financial responsibility and encourage partners to maintain a good credit score to avoid divorce in the future (which opens another financial can of worms). my Capital One Credit Keeper score regularly, helps me manage my financial health and make smart financial choices to ensure we can work towards our dreams.
As I’m a little score obsessed, Capital One ensures its users that you can’t hurt your score no matter how many times you check your score. They refresh the information once a week, allowing users to keep up to date in a secure, encrypted environment. For 20 years, Capital One has been helping Canadians, like me, reach our financial goals. The adoption process is still a while away, as the business is taking off and we just moved into a new house. But Capital One is helping us work towards these goals, by keeping us aware of our credit score on a regular basis. As we plan to expand our family, I take comfort in knowing my credit score is good. Now I have to concentrate on getting a good parenting score – does anyone know where I can get one?
For more information on Credit Keeper and planning your future, make sure to check out www.creditkeeper.capitalone.ca.
Of course, I encourage you to join the social media conversation while learning more about your credit options by following @CapitalOneCA on Twitter and Instagram, and @CapitalOneCanada on Facebook. For more behind the scenes information and other amazing brands we are working with globally, make sure to follow along with the #DoTheDaniel Instagram account. We would love to have you join us on our adventures!
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Photos: All social media accounts listed above, Amanda Hayden Photography, Capital One Canada & Daniel Reyes
Cheers!
Mobile photos are always taken on my Huawei P10 Plus
*Credit Keeper is a service offered by Capital One Canada and is powered by credit history and score information provided by TransUnion. Availability may vary depending on the ability to verify your identity and obtain your information from TransUnion. The credit score provided by Credit Keeper is intended for your educational use only. Lenders and other commercial users may use a different type of credit score and other information when making credit decisions. Currently, Credit Keeper isn’t available for Capital One customers who live in the province of Quebec, or who have a Capital One Mastercard exclusively for Costco members.