CREDIT REPORTS -- Need Annual Check-ups!
Building a good credit history takes time. Starting with your first credit card or loan and continuing with every payment, your credit history keeps track of credit you apply for, how much debt you have obtained, and how well you pay off your debt.

You can get your current credit report online from sources such as Equifax (www.equifax.com), TransUnion (www.transunion.com), and Experian (www.experian.com). Getting a copy of your report from all three bureaus is a good idea. Mistakes can show up on one bureau's report and not another. Checking your credit report on an annual basis will bring any mistakes to your attention, and possibly help you prevent identity theft.

If you do find any mistakes on your report, you can have them investigated by filling in some information online. The bureau will look into your dispute and send a reply to you by e-mail.

The three main credit bureaus also have information on their Web sites about budgeting, using credit wisely, how credit history affects your credit worthiness, and much more. They also offer services - which you pay for - to keep track of your credit report and notify you of information that is added or removed from it.

You can find some useful online calculators on Experian's Web site as well. Calculate how long it will take you to get out of debt, mortgage and auto loan payments, debt consolidation, and home budgeting. WFCU also provides financial counseling.

If your credit is less than perfect, you will find information on how to deal with the situation and improve your credit over time.

The most important advice all the bureaus give is to pay everything on time. As little as one late payment can negatively affect your credit report and make it more difficult to get approved for larger purchases, like a home or auto.