Don't Graduate Without Good Credit

• Charge what you can afford. Remember: you still have to pay back whatever you charge. If you are charging because you know you won't have the cash, skip the purchase all together.

• Keep accounts open. While closing a credit card account ensures you won't spend more than you should, having the available credit boosts your score. You're better off just sending the card through a shredder.

• Don't ignore creditors. If a situation arises that prevents you from paying your bill, call your creditor and try to work something out. You do not want to deal with a collections agency.

Truthfully, it's not just recent graduates who should be following this advice. Good credit is the key to lifelong financial comfort and stability and requires ongoing maintenance. Sometimes, the diligence and self-control required to build good credit seems difficult, but it will definitely pay off in the future.



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