 TITLE: Organize Your Finances With Our Year-End Financial Checklist CONTENT: Check Your Credit\n-----------------\n*   Get copies of your credit score and your credit report from all three consumer credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax).\n*   If your credit score needs help, take these steps to improve it:\n    *   Pay all your bills on time.\n    *   Pay down credit card balances to keep your credit utilization rate at 30% or less.\n    *   Avoid opening new credit accounts unless necessary.\n    *   Keep existing credit accounts open, even if you don't use them.\n    *   Sign up for Experian Boost™† , a free service that can help increase your credit score by giving you credit for on-time utility, cellphone and streaming service payments.\n*   Set up credit monitoring to protect your credit. Experian's free credit monitoring service will alert you of changes and inquiries on your credit report and accounts.\n*   If you find any inaccuracies in your credit report, dispute them with the appropriate credit bureau.\n*   If you'd like professional help with your finances and investments, consider using a financial planner. The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a good source.\n*   Go through your financial records, tax documents and financial account statements, shredding any you don't need.\n*   Consider digitizing financial records to save space and paper.\n### Learn More\n*   What Affects Your Credit Scores?  \n    Knowing what factors and types of accounts affect your credit score is the first step to improving your credit—which could save you thousands over time.\n*   6 Steps to Financially Prepare Before Having Kids  \n    It’s no secret that having kids is expensive, but there’s plenty you can do to prepare financially if you start early. Here are six ways to get ready.\n*   What Is Financial Planning and How Can it Help Me?  \n    Financial planning involves establishing a strategy for your financial life. Here’s how it works and why it can help you.\n*   How to Start Investing  \n    To start investing, it's important you create a strategy and stick to it over the long term. END