[Graybeard58]

a free, annual credit report from each of the three bureaus. To request your copies, call (877) 322-8228 or go to AnnualCreditReport.com.

[Intolerant in NJ]

...a free, annual credit report...that's a credit REPORT - pages and pages of text about what credit cards you have open, what ones you've closed and on and on and on - to get your credit SCORE, which is usually what companies want before they actually give you a loan, usually costs a few dollars directly to the three rating agencies.......

[Falconspeed]

Credit is a sign of ethical behavior, a prudent person and a generous spender. Saving is tougher than spending but worth it when it increases one's credit score. I check my credit rating credit rating every month for free by using the American Automobile Association coupon. I'll try the Credit Karma site.

[D-fendr]

a free, annual credit report from each of the three bureaus.

This will get your credit history but not your FICO score. For this you have to go to myfico.com and pay for it. No one gives FICO scores for free, except: If you go for a loan and they pull your credit from a bureau, you can ask for a copy that has the FICO score. Bear in mind this is from one of the three bureaus. Most home lenders take the midscore of the three. Auto loans mostly use one bureau, Experian if memory serves, but it might be Equifax.

[D-fendr]

I should have added to make sure it the FICO score. This is the one the lenders use. Each bureau has their own “score” but it’s not used by lenders.

[CodeToad]

“(Of course Obama loves his country but Herman Cain loves mine.)”

Off topic, but that a GREAT tagline!