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With winter now over, many of us are finally getting around to the decluttering and reorganization projects we put off during the cold months. Just as spring cleaning can restore a sense of order to our homes, now’s a great time to look at how we can refocus and refresh our finances.

Here are a few easy ways to get your financial life back on track this spring:

Review your credit report

If you’re contemplating a major purchase in the near future, you’ll want to make sure you check your credit report. Incorrect personal details, erroneous account information and other discrepancies can negatively impact a person’s credit score. Being aware of any errors can help you start taking steps to dispute them right away.

Luckily, reviewing your score is relatively simple. If you are an Ascend member, you also have ongoing access to our free credit monitoring tool inside of digital banking, where you can set goals and track progress. You can also go to AnnualCreditReport.com and fill out a short form to get a current report from any (or all) of the three major consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) for free. Since you can only get a free report from each agency once every 12 months, a smart way to keep tabs on your score over the year is to request one from a different agency every four months.

Create a budget

Budgeting is never easy. Not only is it time-consuming, but it can sometimes be dispiriting to see the full details of your monthly spending. But the most effective way to take control of your budget is to first understand your expenditures and then examine the most logical ways to cut back.

A good place to start this process is at Ascend Federal Credit Union’s website, where you can download free budget calculators at ascend.org/worksheets to explore your budget/spendable income, gross monthly income and debt-to-income ratio. As you fill in those numbers, you’ll want to be aware of recent changes, like a drop in income, new debt or an unexpected expenditure that has depleted your emergency savings.

You may find some easy places to reduce your spending, such as streaming services, dining out or other entertainment expenses. Remember that although these expenses might represent a small amount each month, over the course of a year, they can add up to a significant amount. After you’ve made any needed adjustments and feel like your budget is realistic, a good next step might be to set up automatic transfers to your savings account every time you get paid.

Consolidate or pay off debt

When credit card debt accumulates, it can be very stressful to manage, particularly if you owe money to multiple lenders at different times of the month. One way to start tackling debt is to pay off the smallest balances first while keeping up minimum payments to your other lenders. As you start making progress, your debt won’t feel quite as overwhelming.

Alternatively, you can look at consolidating your debts into a single, low-interest loan. At Ascend, we offer various loan options, including personal loans and home equity line of credit (HELOC) loans, that can be used to pay off existing debts and replace them with a single monthly payment, as well as a potentially lower interest rate. Other debt consolidation methods, such as balance transfers, can help simplify your monthly payment schedule, though it’s important to pay close attention to the annual percentage rate your card carries.

Start achieving your financial goals

Whether it’s establishing a college fund for your children, taking a dream vacation or adding a new room to your house, we all have long-term savings goals. As you get your financial house in order this spring, now is a great time to start putting money away to make those goals a reality.

Many employers offer the option of depositing a portion of paychecks — either a percentage or a set amount — into a separate savings account. The nice thing about this option is that while you may not miss the money from each paycheck, over time, it can really start to add up. Once you’ve saved up $500 or more, consider putting some of that money into a certificate account — which currently have some of their highest annual percentage yields in decades.

There’s no better time than now to begin making changes that will improve your financial stability in the years to come. Stop by one of our Ascend branches if you’re interested in discussing how we might be able to help. Federally insured by the NCUA. Ascend is an Equal Housing Lender. NMLS# 451452. All loans are subject to credit approval.

Matt Jernigan is President & CEO of Ascend Federal Credit Union