Your credit score is the most vital aspect of your financial future because it influences your ability to finance large purchases. And it determines how much you'll pay for them in interest charges. Moreover, everyone wants to check your credit: prospective lenders, mortgage companies, apartment managers, employers, insurance agencies -- even possible spouses.
Knowing your credit score helps you see what prospective lenders see. That way, you have a realistic idea of what kind of financing product you're eligible for and whether now is a wise time to finance more expensive items.
Option 1: Open a credit card that offers credit score monitoring
Many credit card companies now offer credit score reporting in their tool chest of offerings. Capital One's CreditWise allows you to keep abreast of your VantageScore assigned by TransUnion -- one of the three credit bureaus that keep reports on your financial behaviors. Discover also gives you access to check your FICO score for free.
Meanwhile, you're in luck if you're establishing or rebuilding your credit. You can get a secured credit card with many lenders offering these monitoring services, such as Capital One and Discover. How this works is you make a deposit that becomes your credit limit. And when you open one, you gain access to these monitoring tools.
Also: 5 ways to improve your credit score without a credit card[1]
Other credit card companies offering similar perks include Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Citi, Wells Fargo, Barclay, and American Express.
Option 2: Let your bank do the work for you
Some banks offer their customers access to their credit scores. For example, Chase has a program called Credit Journey. Once you sign up, you can receive your VantageScore for free. Another option is to check with your credit union.