If you’ve ever applied for a loan, you know about the value that financial institutions place on your credit score. While far from the only factor that is evaluated, your credit score provides lenders with quick insight into your financial history.

Rebuilding your credit score can be more complicated than starting from scratch, mainly because you have to prove to credit card issuers and lenders that you can and will make future payments despite slip-ups in the past. If you're not sure where to start, follow our four-step plan to begin your journey toward financial freedom.

Let’s talk about one of the most important purchases you’ve made — your vehicle. It gets you to work every day and is your designated road trip buddy, not to mention all the little errands it helps you cross off your to-do list. There’s just one catch.