There are many reasons you might want to improve your credit history. Perhaps you’re young and want to start building one. Maybe you’ve had debt problems in the past and you’re now ready to repair your credit. You might have decent credit already and simply want to improve it even more before applying for something like a new mortgage.

Improving your credit history can sometimes feel complicated, but it doesn’t have to be costly. Here are three free resources you can use to help you improve your credit history no matter what your reason is for wanting to do so.

1. Free Credit Reports

While you can pay for an expedited or online credit file, you can also request a free copy of your credit file any time you want to review it. You’ll probably just have to wait for it to be sent via post instead. This should always be your first step when trying to improve your credit history because you can’t improve something if you don’t understand the current situation you’re in.

See what accounts are listed there. Make sure information is accurate. Come up with a plan for any new accounts or account changes that might help you improve your credit history. To take advantage of this free resource, request your free credit file from both Dun & Bradstreet and Veda Advantage.

2. Online Calculators

If you’re trying to improve your debt situation to improve your credit history, free online calculators can provide a wealth of information. They can help you figure out what it will cost (in interest) if you make changes to your repayment plans for example.

To get the most out of free online financial calculators, make sure you find ones from government sites or other websites you already know and trust (their formulas and calculations might be more accurate than others). For example the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) offers several free online financial calculators that can help you improve your credit history. The tools listed below are just a few examples:

• Multi-Loan Calculator
• Credit Card Calculator
• Budget Planner
• Mortgage Switching Calculator

3. Credit Card Comparison Websites

If you have a fairly new credit history and you’re looking to build a good history from the start, credit card comparison sites (like this one) can be an excellent free resource. By helping you choose the right credit cards to build your credit history, credit card comparison engines not only save you time up front but can also save you headaches later. They can do this by helping you avoid bad credit card offers that would get you in over your head with debt, interest, and fees.

What are you waiting for? These free tools are at your fingertips whenever you want them. Why not make them work for you right now? See what you can do to improve your credit history today. Start with your free credit file to assess your situation, and let these other online tools help you come up with a plan.