Answers to Your February Money Questions

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Each week, we answer money questions from around the web on the NerdWallet app. Here are three of the trending questions from February.

How do I check my credit?

Checking your credit report is easy, free and 100% worth doing. That’s because your credit report reflects your record of credit use and companies often use your report to determine what loans you have access to going forward.

Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to enter your information and request a report. You’ll be asked a few security questions to verify your identity. (Make sure you go to the correct website and not a similar-sounding website designed to trick visitors.)

Use the NerdWallet app to view your free credit score. It’s updated weekly using TransUnion data and checking your score does not have a negative impact on your credit.

Check with your financial institution. Log into your account online. Your bank or credit card provider may provide your credit score or report for free.

After you review your credit report, you can correct any errors you find — such as mistakes, outdated information or accounts that don’t belong to you. You can dispute the errors online through each credit bureau’s website or by mail.

If there’s an error on your credit report that’s dragging down your credit score, it can hurt your chances of landing a low-interest loan. Credit reports can also be used by landlords, utility providers and insurance companies to set rates and determine eligibility.

Credit reports contain the details of your credit usage history, and credit scores are numbers calculated from that information.

Given the importance of credit scores in your financial life, checking your full credit report at least once a year — if not more often — is a solid move.

Continue to monitor your credit report and credit score for changes. A new account that you don’t recognize is often one of the first signs of identity theft.

Should I file my taxes early?

If you’re expecting a tax refund this year, then filing early comes with one obvious benefit: You can get your money sooner.

The tax deadline is April 15, 2026, but the IRS is accepting 2025 tax returns now. The agency estimates that if you file electronically, then you could receive your refund in about three weeks.

There’s another big reason to file early: to avoid identity theft. One tax scam is when someone files fake W-2s with your Social Security number and then receives your refund, leading to your legitimate return being rejected.

Get ahead of the scammers. File your return now, so it’s accepted before a fraudulent one is submitted in your name.

Filing sooner rather than later can also save you money. Tax preparation software and services often charge more closer to Tax Day. They may offer lower prices for early submitters.

A few more useful tax tips to note:

The IRS offers certain taxpayers options to file for free through the Free File program.

You can file for an extension if you’re going to miss the tax deadline. An extension gives you more time to file, not more time to pay. If you owe money, you’ll need to make a payment by April 15 or face late fees.

What are fun ways to celebrate love for less?

Valentine’s Day might be over, but it’s always fun to celebrate love in creative ways that aren’t too expensive.

The good news is that there are lots of ways to spend less — or nothing at all — while still celebrating your partner and other loved ones.

Here are some ideas:

Attend a free event. Nothing’s more romantic than spending quality time together, so consider checking for local free events. Perhaps there’s a concert, museum exhibit or other local happening that you can enjoy.

Plan a hike, urban walk or stroll around town. If you’re experiencing temperate weather, enjoying the great outdoors is another way to appreciate each other without spending anything.

Cook a meal. You have to purchase the ingredients, but cooking a meal for your romantic partner can show them you care while avoiding the higher price of a restaurant. You might even be able to use some ingredients — like spices or pantry staples like rice — that you already have.

Get creative. Write a poem that reflects your love. Put together a playlist. Decorate a photo frame. These can all show your love while skipping a big expense. You can find more inspiration online.

You could also use a date night to inspire an honest conversation about money.

Discussing each other’s money history, credit score, debt, savings and investments might not sound romantic, but it could bring you closer. The goal is to talk openly and honestly about how to achieve your joint financial goals.

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About the author

Kimberly Palmer is a personal finance expert at NerdWallet. She is also the author of three books about money: “Smart Mom, Rich Mom,” “The Economy of You” and “Generation Earn.” Kimberly’s work also appears at NerdWallet Canada.

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