Dear Friends and Family,

Keep your Finances Fit! Everyone needs an annual fiscal checkup. Just as our bodies and cars periodically require inspection, our finances need regular examination. An important part of this exam is to obtain and review your credit reports once a year and then take the time to find ways to improve your credit score.

• Know your credit limit and the amount of credit available for your use.
• Maintain a good credit history; it affects more areas of your life than just your ability to get a credit card.
• Request a copy of your credit report annually at www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 and check it for errors. A score higher than 700 will allow you the best interest rates; below 600 is considered poor.

The best advice for improving your credit score is:

• Make all credit payments on time
• Use less than 20% of your available credit lines
• Avoid opening too many cards in a short period, but having multiple well-managed accounts can strengthen your score
• Don’t close old accounts when possible – longevity helps your score
• Pay off debt – and not by just moving it around to other credit cards

If you would like additional information or a white paper on understanding your FICO score, please contact us. We are sincerely interested in hearing your questions and would love to help in your annual fiscal checkup!

Sincerely,

Katz Family Financial