Having bad credit can be a real downer. But although the modern age has made it easier to build and destroy credit, it’s also made it easier to manage credit, too. With smartphones and the Internet, it’s now easier than even to have a firm grasp on your spending habits and the health of your credit. So for those of you who are struggling with maintaining a good credit score for an extended period of time, here are three ways you can use your phone to help fix your bad credit and continue to keep those scores high.
Set Up Monthly Alerts
Organization is key when it comes to building habits that will positively impact your credit. One way you can begin creating these habits, according to Kali Geldis, a contributor to Credit.com, is to help yourself remember to make your payments each month by setting up monthly payment alerts on your phone. Either using an app or just the calendar on your smartphone, mark the dates that each of your bills are due and create an alert that will inform you when to make the payment. By doing this, you can have a permanent reminder to get your bills paid on time, which will tremendously help to repair your bad credit.
Pay All Your Bills Online Via Your Smartphone
For many people who use a smartphone, it’s much easier to take care of all their financial needs right there as opposed to having to mail in payments or use another device like a laptop. Making the necessary debt or bill payments via your smartphone allows you to always have the capabilities to send a payment and check on the status of your account right in the palm of your hand. And luckily, almost all financial institutions, whether it be for a credit card or a car loan payment, allow you online access to your account. However, Carmen Wong Ulrich, a contributor to Good Housekeeping, reminds us that you should always use safe Internet usage practices when dealing with finances online, which includes never checking financial information using a publicly accessible wi-fi network.
Use A Mobile Banking or Finance App
Speaking of safe Internet usage practices with regards to finances, one of the best ways to do this is to always use the approved mobile banking app for your chosen institution. Also, if you’d like even more help keeping track of your spending, credit score, account information and more, Samantha Sharf, a contributor to Forbes.com, writes that there are many apps available that are free of charge and can help you better manage the financial side of your life. By tracking your spending and being aware of your financial habits, you’ll have a much better chance at improving your credit score.
If you need simple ways to begin fixing your bad credit score, use the tips mentioned above to begin taking advantage of your smartphone as a way to start improving your credit.