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Make sure you're financially secure and informed - celebrate National Get Smart About Credit Day by learning about the importance of credit!
It's time to get smart about credit on National Get Smart About Credit Day, which takes place on the third Thursday of October each year! This is a day to recognize the importance of financial literacy and credit management. It was first started in 2002 by the American Bankers Association as a way to promote responsible borrowing, saving, and investing. So this year, take some time out of your day to learn more about credit and how it can affect your finances. Whether you're just starting out or have been managing money for years, there's something for everyone - from budgeting tips to advice on building good credit. Let’s make this National Get Smart About Credit Day an opportunity to get educated!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2002</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of the Holiday</div><div class='timeline-text'>The American Bankers Association (ABA) started National Get Smart About Credit Day to promote financial literacy and responsible credit management.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2006</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Expanded Reach of the Event</div><div class='timeline-text'>ABA's Get Smart About Credit program expanded, with banks across the country participating and conducting financial literacy presentations in local communities.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Increased Awareness</div><div class='timeline-text'>Following the Global Financial Crisis, the importance of this holiday grew, as it tackled critical topics like credit card debt, student loans, and identity theft.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Online Educational Resources</div><div class='timeline-text'>The ABA launched a range of online resources to make credit management lessons more accessible for everyone and celebrate the day virtually, reinforcing its relevance in the digital age.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Impact of COVID-19</div><div class='timeline-text'>In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Get Smart About Credit Day emphasized the importance of managing credit and finances during times of economic uncertainty.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Research credit scores</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spend some time researching your credit score and understanding what factors contribute to your score. That way, you can make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your credit health in great shape.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a budget</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Create a budget that works for your lifestyle and helps you save money. Budgeting is an important part of understanding how to manage your finances and limit your spending.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Setup automatic payments</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Set up your bills to be paid automatically each month. This will help to ensure that you never miss a payment and help improve your credit score.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Check your credit report</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Make sure to review your credit report periodically to look for any errors or discrepancies. This can help protect you from identity theft and make sure that all of the information on your report is accurate.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself about credit</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take the time to learn more about credit, such as how to read a credit report, what affects your score, and how to improve it. There are many websites and resources available to help educate you on the subject.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Credit is important to build financial stability</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Having good credit is essential to achieving financial stability. It can help you secure the loans, mortgages and other financing you need to make large purchases or invest in your future. Plus, it's a great way to build your credit history, which can lead to better interest rates on loans and other benefits in the future.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Credit can be easily damaged</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Poor credit can have long-lasting consequences on your financial life. Late payments, high balances and unscrupulous lenders can all lead to damaging marks on your credit report. Being aware of how credit works, what affects it and how to maintain a healthy score is key to preventing these issues from occurring in the first place.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Education is vital for managing money wisely</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Learning about budgeting, saving, investing and debt management is an important part of taking control of your finances. Educating yourself on these topics will enable you to make smart decisions when it comes to managing your funds. National Get Smart About Credit Day helps spread awareness about these topics and encourages everyone to get educated!</p></div></div>
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