Follow Me Like A Good Reputation

My first indication that my approach was working was watching my scores shoot up on Credit Karma!

It was an exciting validation that I was on the right path.

The next giveaway that my credit was improving came when I called a utility company to get service for the new apartment. They told me that they had to do a credit check, and after a short wait, the employee on the phone told me that I didn't have to pay a deposit at all because of my credit score. Success! It would be the first money I saved by improving my credit, but it wouldn't be the last.

By the time I applied for my next credit card, my score qualified me for one of the better rewards cards. I started earning 5% cashback on multiple categories with multiple cards. These categories included the majority of my everyday spending at places like restaurants and gas stations. After a while of doing this, I was even able to qualify for a card that gave me 5% cashback on my biggest monthly bills: utilities! That one felt like a huge win, since it's a non-negotiable expense that usually wouldn't offer discounts.

With all of these card benefits in place, I've been able to maintain a steady stream of money coming back to me. And since it's a percentage of my overall spending, the amount I get paid actually goes up as inflation increases. It's a useful little inflation hedge to add to my financial arsenal. It makes me a little more insulated from difficult financial situations that would normally be completely outside of my control.

The mental benefits shouldn't be understated either. There's a peace of mind that comes from knowing that now, when a landlord checks my credit score, they'll see evidence that I'm good renter. This should give me the opportunity to live where I choose without bad financial perceptions getting in my way. I also know that if I need to borrow money in the future for a car, house, or any other big important purchase, my interest payments will be as low as possible and most of my money will be going towards the actual changes in my life and not the middle men standing between me and those dreams. I'll qualify for all the best credit cards with the best rewards, and there's no way of knowing what kind of helpful benefits are going to come out in the future with new cards that haven't even been released yet! Plus, whenever the day comes that I choose to move again, I'll be able to get the utilities running without having to pay any more deposits, which will help me save money during the crucial time period of a new move.

Now that I have this credit score working for me behind the scenes, it's like an invisible force that moves along with me and making everything easier. It follows me like a good reputation. I'm seen as a good investment by the people in control of loans, credit cards, and other financial opportunities. I have more control over my life and my financial choices today than ever before because I've successfully turned the system in my favor!

If you want the peace of mind a good credit score brings (on top of all those other perks!), you can start by checking out my free list of beginner credit cards and all their benefits by clicking here: get the beginner credit card breakdown!