5 Ways to Boost Your Credit Score

Ever wondered why having a good credit score feels like holding a golden ticket? Well, it’s because it literally opens doors for you – from snagging that dream home to owning the car you’ve always wanted. At Cash2Go Financial, we’re all about making your financial dreams come true in a friendly, casual environment. Today, we’re sharing five top tips to help boost your credit score so you can keep doing the things you love, worry-free.

Pay Your Bills On Time, Every Time

This might sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how much of an impact timely payments have on your credit score. Think of it as a trust score between you and lenders; paying bills on time shows them you’re reliable. Set reminders, use apps, or even post sticky notes around your place – whatever it takes to keep those payments punctual!

Keep Your Credit Utilization Low

What’s credit utilization, you ask? Imagine you have a credit card with a $10,000 limit. Keeping your spending under $3,000 (that’s 30% utilization) shows lenders you’re not overly reliant on credit, which is a big thumbs up for your credit score. It’s like showing off your balance skills in a financial tightrope walk!

Dispute Any Errors on Your Credit Report

Here’s something personal – we’ve all had moments where things didn’t go as planned. The same goes for your credit report. Occasionally, errors sneak in, affecting your score. Regularly check your credit report, and don’t hesitate to dispute inaccuracies. Remember, it’s your financial story; make sure it’s accurately told.

Limit New Credit Applications

Just like in life, it’s good to take things slow. Applying for multiple credit lines in a short time period can signal financial distress to lenders, dipping your score. Think of each new application as a new friend request – you wouldn’t send out hundreds at once, right? Be selective and strategic.

Maintain a Healthy Mix of Credit

Having a mix of credit types (like installment loans, credit cards, and retail accounts) can be beneficial. It’s like a well-rounded diet for your credit health. However, don’t open accounts just for the sake of it; ensure it makes sense for your financial situation and goals.

At Cash2Go Financial, we stand by the belief that everyone deserves a shot at their dreams, and a solid credit score is a key part of that. Whether it’s easing the check cashing process, providing money orders, or helping with vehicle registration, we’re here to support you in a casual and comfortable setting. Our doors are always open to assist you with any financial need, ensuring you spend less time worrying and more time living.

Visit a Cash2Go Location

To learn more about our services and how we can help you, visit one of our many convenient locations. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you on your journey towards a better credit score and financial future.

Financial Literacy Series: How to Protect Your Identity During Financial Transactions

No one wants to be the victim of a crime – especially one that involves your money and one that does not come with the satisfaction of an arrest. Faceless and nameless cyber criminals and hackers continue to steal from innocent victims. As part of our continuing series on financial literacy, we take a look at some major ways to stay safe and protect your ID.

  1. Keep a Secret: Do not share any of your personal and private numbers with anyone. Keep your Social Security number private as well as any PIN numbers or financial-related passwords. Keep passwords updated and changed as well.
  2. Throw it Away: Sensitive paper items that you no longer need should be shredded and then thrown away or recycled. This includes paper bank statements and credit card offers.
  3. Worry about Missing Mail: If you always receive your bank statements in the mail, you should contact the bank if you do not to make sure there is not any unusual activity. Any financial services that can be done with online versus paper will help protect your identity as well. Strangers can access your mail, so do not put outgoing mail in your box with the flag up as another way to protect yourself.
  4. Credit Reports: You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from the three reporting agencies through annualcreditreport.com. Take advantage of this a few times a year to help you keep an eye on anything usual that has surfaced, such as a credit card that you did not apply for.
  5. Mobile protection: Your smartphone is super smart and knows everything about you. Do not leave it sitting around in public and have a passcode to lock it up in case it is lost or stolen. If you are getting rid of your current phone, take the time to wipe it clean or reset it to the manufacturer’s settings.
  6. Ask Questions: If you are not sure about any transactions on your credit card, contact the company as soon as possible to double-check any suspicious activity or if you have any questions about transactions.
  7. Report Fraud Immediately: If you think you have been a victim, contact your bank or credit card companies as well as the credit agencies. Also, head out to your local police department and file a report.

Our Team is Here for Your Financial Transactions

At Cash 2 Go, we will help you take care of your money needs with a range of services in our locations that are conveniently set around the Chicagoland area. Our team takes security seriously as well as providing key services to make your daily life easier. Our money services include: check cashing, gift card exchange, currency exchange, electronic bill pay, utility company payments, prepaid debit cards, notary services and money orders. We can answer your questions through our online contact form

Paying Bills Without a Bank Account

We all have to pay bills, but not everyone has a bank account. Without one, you may run into various problems when trying to pay bills on time. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to work around the issue. Here at Cash2Go, we regularly assist clients who do not have bank accounts, so we are very familiar with those circumstances. Our team offers the services you need to make payments without any hassle. Our money services are easy to use and allow anyone to load prepaid debit cards, pay bills and turn checks into cash. Here’s how you can pay your bills with our help, even if you don’t have a bank account. 

Use a Money Order

A common fear is that cash and checks can get lost in the mail, which understandably has you stressed. Money orders circumvent this issue. Unlike card payments, which sometimes involve fees, sending a money order is a cost-effective way of paying bills. Plus, money orders are traceable, meaning it’s a secure payment method, so you can rest assured knowing your bills will be paid accurately and on time. They can be used in place of a personal check, allowing you to make payments without linking a bank account. 

We make it easy to place a money order. Just stop by one of our locations for immediate assistance.

Use a Prepaid Debit Card

Prepaid debit cards work well as an alternate to a bank account, and that includes instances in which you need to pay off a bill. Securely and safely load money onto your card rather than carrying the cash around with you. Since you can’t spend any more than what you load onto the card, it’s an effective way to manage your spending, too. It’s possible to pay your bills over the phone with this method, saving you plenty of time. 

Electronic Bill Pay

It’s understandable to be stressed when your bill’s due date is approaching. Keeping track of which bills need to be paid and when can make anyone’s head spin. What’s more, those without bank accounts may need to make their payments in person every single month. Not only is this exhausting, but it’s a time-consuming process as well. If you’re tired of dealing with the monthly stress, visit our office to quickly pay your bills using electronic bill pay. 

With electronic bill pay, you won’t have to worry about due dates. Set up payments to send automatically. What’s more, this option works great for those without a bank account. You don’t need to connect a checking account to the electronic system, since you can simply bring your bill to our location closest to you. It’s one of the easiest ways to take care of your bills. 

Contact Us to Learn More

Paying your bills doesn’t have to be a major deal every month. If you are looking for an easy way to stay up-to-date on your bills without having a bank account, know that you have a number of excellent options to consider at Cash2Go. Explore our services today.