While the weather may have not gotten the memo, spring has officially arrived and with it the trend towards spring cleaning that many of us have in our homes. During this time of year – when windows can be flung open, curtains removed for cleaning, and outdoor furniture assembled once again – we dig deeply into cleaning our homes to make them fresh and organized for the months ahead. In fact, spring cleaning has become something of a tradition; a way to shake off the dreary months of winter and shed our seasonal skin for the warmer months ahead.

Part of what many people do during this time is to turn a discerning eye toward their finances; giving them a spring cleaning of their own. It’s no coincidence that this time of year coincides with tax time; and many consumers use this opportunity to reorganize their financial records and really get a handle on their financial health. To begin the process, many people find that by getting a free credit report, they are able to give themselves the first stepping stone in the process of self-examination.

A credit report is every consumer’s credit history – held by three large credit bureaus whose job it is to collect such information. Every time that we go to apply for credit – be it a mortgage, a car loan, or a credit card – the lender checks our credit report from one or several of the credit bureaus. The information that they gather through this credit report tells them of our creditworthiness and our likelihood that we will make our payments on time. Lenders then either qualify us for credit or decline our request.

Many consumers who have learned that their credit report is less than stellar simply vow to make better on time payments – which is certainly helpful. But without their credit report in hand they cannot know for sure what information is detailed on their report. By getting a free credit report consumers are able to examine exactly what is on that report and take the steps to improve their score.

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