1. Order one credit report and score annually from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, so that you will have a bureau specific confirmation number for any potential dispute resolution.
 
2. Openly discuss financial responsibility with family.
 
3.  Ask lending institution which bureau is used to evaluate your loan application.
 
4.  Ask lending institution if your loan application will generate a soft or hard inquiry.
 
5.  Use Western Union Quick Collect (R) or Quick Pay (R) to pay bills if you do not have a checking account.
 
6.  Dispute credit report errors online for a faster response.
 
7.  Use credit card to extend warranty on item/service.
 
8.  Keep current and previous year's credit report, annotate account number and lender name changes on each new report generated.
 
9. Make digital copies of correspondence with credit bureaus and lenders.
 
10. Have some type of calendar system to remind you of due dates.