By Lila Quintiliani, AFC©
Assistant Coordinator, Military Saves

Just about everyone I talk to is interested in saving money.  Yet very few people are familiar with their own credit report or know their credit score.  Why is this such a paradox?  It’s because your credit history can determine how much you pay for your house, car, insurance, utility deposit…the list goes on and on.  And aside from that, it can also affect your security clearance, your job prospects and even where you live.  Everywhere you go, institutions and individuals will be looking at your credit history and judging you on it, so your best bet is to know what’s in your own report.

July 16, 2012

Tiffany Ching, Union Bank, N.A., Senior Vice President and Regional Manager

Eliminating debt is one of the fastest ways to free up money for savings, investments and other long-term financial goals. Credit card bills, student loans and other debt are not only a burden on a budget, but the balances almost always accumulate interest, adding to your debt.

For some, paying down debt may seem overwhelming, but by putting a plan in place, you may be able to pay off your debt sooner, with less interest, while possibly improving your credit score.

Following are some tips to help you pay down debt with the goal of saving more for the future:

Get a Handle on How Much You Owe

Start by listing the outstanding balance, interest rate, minimum payment and due date for each of your debt accounts. This information can easily be found on your most recent monthly statement.  Keep a calendar to remind you of due dates, set up automatic payments where you have that option, and continue to make timely monthly payments on each account.