**Does Checking Your Credit Hurt Your Score?**
A lot of people worry that checking their credit will lower their score, but that’s not the case. Let me break it down for you. ### **Two Types of Credit Inquiries** 1. **Soft Inquiries:** - This happens when you or someone else checks your credit for information, not for lending. - Examples include checking your own credit score 📊, pre-approval offers 📩, or job background checks 🧑💼. - **Impact:** Soft inquiries **don’t affect your score** at all. 👍 2. **Hard Inquiries:** - This happens when a lender checks your credit to decide if you qualify for a loan or credit card. - Examples include applying for a mortgage 🏡, car loan 🚗, or new credit card 💳. - **Impact:** Hard inquiries **can lower your score a little**, but it’s usually just a small, temporary drop ⬇️. ### **How Hard Inquiries Affect Your Score** - One hard inquiry won’t hurt your score much, but if you have several in a short period, it can lower it more. - If you’re shopping around for a mortgage or car loan, don’t worry—multiple inquiries within 14-45 days count as one 🛒. ### **Why You Should Check Your Credit** - **Catch Errors:** You’ll be able to spot mistakes or fraud early 👀. - **Track Your Progress:** By checking your score regularly, you can see how your good financial habits are paying off 💪. - **Be Prepared:** Know your score before making big purchases, like a house or a car 🏠🚘. ### **How to Check Your Credit for Free** - You can get a free credit report from all three major bureaus at **AnnualCreditReport.com** 🆓. - Many banks and credit card companies also offer free credit score monitoring 💳📱. ### **Conclusion** Checking your credit doesn’t hurt your score as long as it’s a soft inquiry. Stay on top of it, and take control of your financial health! 💯