There are many ways to improve your opportunities for the future when it comes to money management and development. You can increase your awareness and improve your techniques by learning things you should and shouldn’t do.

Your credit score is one of the main elements that will dictate how you live your life, and you should focus on keeping it elevated. These five financial movements to help your credit score will give you valuable information on how to use it to your advantage.

Use credit cards

Using credit cards is a good way to maintain a good credit score, as long as you use them correctly. Having one of two credit cards is ideal because this tells the system that you have the knowledge and means to keep your score healthy. Using your cards and paying the full credit amount each month is a good way to increase and maintain your score.

Pay on time

Paying your credit cards on time and for the full amount each month will develop a good history and deliver better results. One way to make this simple is to create a payment schedule. Paying at least two days before the due date will create a trustworthy record that you can use for future actions.

Have a savings account

A savings account will give you more control over your money and allow you to pay your credit card on time, especially if there’s a link between the two. For example, you can automatically schedule credit card payments from your savings account to never miss a date. This type of account will also allow you to do a self-directed IRA rollover when the time comes to manage your money for retirement.

Check annual reports

Sometimes things like identity theft happen without your knowledge for a long time, which could damage your score. Checking your annual reports is a financial movement that will help your credit score since you can see if anything requires your attention. Having simple financial knowledge could save you from dealing with unwanted situations.

Don’t overuse your score

Certain things can hurt your score, such as signing a lease for an apartment or applying for another credit card. When companies check your score, it takes some points away that will eventually come back if you get approval, but you’ll lose them if you don’t. Only apply for things you will most likely get, or wait until you can improve your score.