Trying to improve your credit score? Those three little numbers can be crucial if you want to rent an apartment, buy a car, or open low rate, high benefit credit cards. Here are five ways you can boost your credit score and own your future!

1) Leave accounts open

Before you make the decision to close an account, make sure you check if closing the account will negatively affect your credit score. One of the biggest factors in calculating your credit score is the length of time your account has been established, so keeping cards, even when you don’t use them, can help your score.

Every year, we make tons of resolutions. We sign up for a gym membership and vow to get healthy, we swear to ourselves we’ll start going to bed on time, and we make promises to become healthier, happier people.  But this year, the best resolutions you can make are the ones that affect your finances. Help nurse your credit score back to health, make your checking account happier, or invest in your future and start down the path of a healthier, happy financial year.

This holiday season, consumers are expected to spend nearly $1.1 trillion. It’s no surprise that whether online or in stores, the majority of these purchases will be made with a card of some sort. Debit and credit cards are very different and have their pros and cons when it comes to holiday shopping. We’ve broken down the implications of using a debit or credit card this holiday season so you can choose the swipe that’s right for you.

College is the start of your adult life, and you'll start to see some changes in your day to day routine. From paying rent, to grocery shopping, to managing your free time and homework schedule, college comes with a lot of responsibilities you've never had to consider. One of these considerations is your personal finances. You might be wondering, "Where do I even start?". We hear you. Here's 5 helpful tips from our friends at Money Under 30 to follow as a college student getting started in your financial journey. 

How does a lender determine if you qualify?

While lenders look at a lot of different information to determine whether you’ll qualify for a home loan,
ultimately, it comes down to four things: credit, down payment, income and assets. If any of these areas are not as strong as they should be,don’t be discouraged.Your USC Credit Union
home loan expert will provide you with the guidance you need to move to the next level.

Advisors from GreenPath Financial and NerdWallets help us answer your questions.

Q: How can I boost my credit score? (My) credit score…has been stuck at 703 since March of 2015. I have checked my annual credit reports and there does not seem to be any fraudulent activity. I am 24 years old, work part-time (sadly still) and have no debt. Besides my rent, all of my bills are paid online automatically and I always have the money in my account to cover any bill. I live with a roommate so expenses are split. How can I increase my credit score?

A look at how to check your fico credit score and how to avoid certain pitfalls from sites offering free scores. Click “Read More” to watch!