Need a new car? Dream of owning a home? Want to be sure you have back-up finances in case something happens to your job? These are just a few good reasons to protect your credit score. You never know when you’ll need credit—on good terms—to enable you to make important purchases over time.

Here are four good steps you can take to help protect your score.  Protecting your credit score can help make sure you’re prepared for what your financial future holds.

1. Freeze Your Credit. This is a safety measure. If you freeze your credit, you can help prevent others from taking out credit in your name, such as fraudulently applying for a credit card—and putting your score at risk. Freezing your credit also helps you avoid the risk (and cost and hassle) of having your identity stolen. Note that you and only you can lift the freeze at any time.

2. Make Inquiries Within a 14-Day Window. If you’re rate shopping for a mortgage, or a loan for a big-ticket item, try to do it within a two-week timeframe. Multiple credit inquires can hurt your score and may mean the interest rate ends up higher than you bargained for. The good news is that multiple inquiries from different lenders are typically counted as a single inquiry—as long as they’re made within the same short period of time.

3. Get Your Free Annual Report. You’re entitled to a no-cost credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies. Despite that right, many people fail to check their credit report as often as they’re able. Why’s it a good idea to make sure you do? It is possible that your credit reports could have errors. Once you access your reports, you’ll be able to correct any mistakes—and help assure that credit you get going forward comes with favorable terms.

4. Don’t Cancel Old Credit Cards. Keep unused credit card accounts open. Why? You’ll benefit from a longer average credit history and a larger amount of available credit. Your score can be better from long-standing credit accounts, and for using only a portion of your overall credit limit. Closing old cards actually lowers your credit standing.

Having good credit health can help you achieve your financial goals. Keep your eye on it—and do what it takes to keep it as high as it can be.