9 Times You Should Have Checked Before You Chanced It

Check it; don’t chance it. Check if you’ll be accepted for a credit card before you apply, without affecting your credit score. Find out more about QuickCheck.

1. Check you’ve actually got your purse or wallet on you before you do the weekly shop.

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When it comes to shopping, there's one thing you can't ever leave home without: your money. Always double-check you've got your purse or wallet on you before you leave the house to shop and make sure you've got the correct amount of cash or sufficient funds on any cards you're using. Otherwise, you'll end up at the till with a mountain of shopping and nothing to pay for it with.

2. And make sure you’ve changed your £1 coins, as many places won’t accept the old £1 coin anymore.

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Nothing worse than emptying your piggy bank to pay for a coffee only to be turned away at the till because of your old coins. Check your high street bank to see if you can deposit or exchange yours. The Post Office will also accept round pound deposits on behalf of participating high street banks.

3. Check whether you’re splitting the bill with friends before you spend the night drinking tap water to their cocktails.

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This is seriously the worst. Establish how you're splitting the bill at dinner with friends before you order. Otherwise, you may have the uncomfortable surprise that you're expected to subsidize someone else's drinks, appetizer, and dessert. If you set the rules first, you'll be more able to enjoy your meal.

4. Check to make sure you've taken your ATM notes before you walk away.

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Have you ever been in a hurry and almost forgotten to grab the notes the ATM spits out? Be sure to double-check the money slot before you leave the machine. You can also request a receipt to help yourself remember not to walk away too quickly!

5. Paying off a credit card? Make sure you’ve set up a direct debit to make payments on your bill so you don’t miss the payment deadline.

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We all forget sometimes. You can set up a direct debit to pay on time every month to ensure you make your payment deadline. This way, your bills are paid even if you're on holiday or very deep in your latest binge-watching obsession.

6. Check to make sure you’ve signed up to the mobile app of your financial provider for ease of access to manage your money.

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Managing your money has never been easier thanks to mobile apps. If you need to make a quick transfer or take a quick look at your balance before buying another round, be sure you've got the app downloaded and you're registered. Otherwise, you may have a personal admin struggle on your hands.

7. And check whether your credit card charges an international exchange fee before using it abroad.

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8. You should also check your credit score, to see whether you need to make improvements or not.

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Credit scores are easy to ignore, until you really need yours! Don't get caught off-guard; check your score sooner rather than later to ensure your score aligns with your future life goals.

9. Lastly, are you thinking of getting a credit card? Use an eligibility checker before you apply so you know your likelihood of being accepted before you decide whether to apply.

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Being denied a credit card is an uncomfortable experience. Thankfully, you can use an eligibility checker to find out if you're eligible before you submit a formal application.

Check it; don’t chance it. When it comes to finance, it helps to check ahead. Check if you’ll be accepted for a credit card before you apply, without affecting your credit score. Find out more about QuickCheck.

Thumbnails images via Caiaimage / Chris Ryan and iStock / Getty Images.