Step 8: Use Free Credit Monitoring Tools
You don’t have to pay $20 a month for some “credit repair app.” Plenty of free tools exist.
👉 Try these:
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Your bank or card issuer (many give free scores now).
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Credit Karma.
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Credit Sesame.
They send alerts and help you track progress—completely free.
Step 9: Handle Collections the Smart Way
Got something in collections? Don’t ignore it, but don’t panic either.
👉 What you can do:
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Ask for a pay-for-delete (collector removes it once you pay).
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Request proof—if they can’t validate it, they have to stop reporting it.
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Know your state’s statute of limitations—old debts may not even be collectible anymore.
Always get agreements in writing.
