To help keep your credit file squeaky clean for when you really need it, here are some don’ts:

• Don’t pay a debt more than five days late
• Don’t shop around for credit cards and store leases when you don’t need them
• Don’t forget to contact your lender to renegotiate your loan repayment terms if things become difficult.

These things can have a negative impact on your credit score and could make the difference between being approved for a loan/credit card or not. The credit environment the Banks operate in means we have to be proactive in order to protect our credit file.