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Improving your credit score is one reason to monitor your credit report on a regular basis. However, staring at your history of bad mistakes is not going to solve the problem.

You also need to take action. For instance you can do the following:

Change your attitude about spending. For instance, leave home without your plastic when you go shopping. Only make purchases on them when it is an absolutely emergency such as when your car breaks down. Disciplining yourself will show you that you really can live with less material things.

Consolidate debts to aim for lower interest rates on money owed. In order for this process to benefit you, interest rate would be lower when all combined. It would not make any sense to include the bills that already have a lower interest rate than all your bills added together.

Switch to using debit cards when making necessary phone and online purchases. This will help prevent loss of large sums of money in the event of identity theft, which provides you with a piece of mind.

Negotiate unpaid balances. This will help you settle debts much faster. The one clinch about this of course is that “settled in full” or similar phrase does not look as good on your credit report as would “paid in full.” Still, it is a step forward.

Deal with living a little bit less of a luxurious lifestyle. For instance, you can lease a less expensive but just as attractive apartment. You could also purchase a less luxurious car, and you can find just as high quality clothes at thrift stores.

Prioritize your bills. Of course it is not right to ever be late on any bills. However, you need a place to live and you need electricity. You also need your car if you live too far away. However, you can probably let your phone bill slide a few days.