Aside from paying your bills regularly and on time, the single most important thing you can do to ensure that when others check into your credit they'll find you to be a good risk is to be aware of the contents of your credit report.

Studies have shown that many credit files contain inaccuracies that can harm your credit rating, leading to rejections when you apply for loans, insurance, even a job. Often the result of simple human error, they can be caused by anything from a clerical error to a computer glitch in which your file is mixed with that of someone with a similar name.

That's why it's essential that you check all of your credit files--and monitor your credit regularly--to protect your good credit standing, even if you always pay all your bills on time.

And if your credit is less than perfect now, checking your report will help you identify lingering problems so you can deal with them effectively and move on toward an improved credit standing. Whatever your situation, reviewing your report regularly is the only way to be sure that you will go into any credit conversations knowing everything lenders will know.