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National Credit Education Month: Know Your Score

Published on March 9, 2026

March is National Credit Education Month, making it the perfect time to learn more about how credit works and how it can impact your financial future. Whether you’re planning to buy a home, finance a car, or simply want more financial flexibility, understanding your credit is one of the most important steps you can take.

At TEG Federal Credit Union, we believe that financial education empowers our members to make confident decisions. That’s why we’re highlighting simple ways to better understand and improve your credit this month.

Why Your Credit Score Matters

Your credit score is a number that helps lenders understand how you manage borrowed money. It can influence:

Loan approvals
Interest rates on credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages
Rental applications
Insurance rates in some cases

A higher credit score can help you qualify for better rates and more favorable loan terms, which can save you money over time.

The good news? Credit scores are not permanent. With the right habits, they can improve.

5 Simple Ways to Strengthen Your Credit

If you’re looking to build or improve your credit, here are a few important habits to focus on:

Pay Your Bills on Time
Payment history is one of the biggest factors in your credit score. Even one late payment can have an impact.
Keep Credit Card Balances Low
Try to use only a small portion of your available credit. Experts often recommend keeping balances below 30% of your credit limit.
Avoid Opening Too Many Accounts at Once
Applying for several new credit accounts in a short period can temporarily lower your score.
Keep Older Accounts Open
Longer credit history generally helps your score. Even if you don’t use a card often, keeping it open can help maintain your credit history.
Check Your Credit Regularly
Monitoring your credit helps you spot errors, track progress, and stay aware of changes.

Monitor Your Credit for Free with SavvyMoney

One of the easiest ways to stay on top of your credit is by monitoring it regularly.

TEG members have access to free credit score monitoring through SavvyMoney, available directly through Online Banking. This powerful tool allows you to:

Check your credit score anytime
See the factors impacting your score
Receive alerts about important credit changes
Explore personalized tips to improve your credit
Simulate how financial decisions may affect your score

Best of all, checking your score through SavvyMoney will not impact your credit.

If you haven’t explored this feature yet, National Credit Education Month is a great time to start.

Improving your score doesn’t happen overnight, but consistent habits can lead to meaningful progress over time. By staying informed, monitoring your credit, and making smart financial decisions, you can build a stronger financial future.

At TEG Federal Credit Union, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Categories: Education, General, Money Management

Tags: credit, Credit Score, finances, savvymoney, tegfcu