WILMINGTON, Delaware, April 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Hispanics want to focus on credit health and believe it could lead to a happier life. The Chase Slate 2016 Credit Outlook revealed 70 percent of Hispanics believe a higher credit score would lead to greater happiness and opportunities compared to just 59 percent of Americans overall.

Healthy credit can open doors in the short-term, long-term and throughout one’s lifetime, and with more men and women on the path to achieving their goals, that happier life they’re seeking could be closer within reach. However, one-in-five Hispanics (20 percent) has never checked their credit score – when asked why, 40 percent said it’s because they had no reason to, 35 percent indicated that they meant to, but didn’t get around to it, while 29 percent said it’s because they were afraid it would be a low number.

Farnoosh Torabi, personal finance expert and Chase Slate financial education partner, suggests taking action now to let go of the fear factor and find financial happiness with these tips:

Don’t fear the future. Plan for it.

Did you dip into savings last year, or not manage to save much at all? Instead of worrying about depleted savings, put your energy toward refueling that account immediately. A good rule of thumb is to have six to nine months of savings to cover necessary expenses in the event of an emergency, like a job loss or disability.  Beyond savings, take time to make sure you’ve got proper protections in place, including health, life, homeowners and auto insurance.

Get up-close and personal with your credit standing.

Financial unknowns can be scary at first, but you’ve got to understand where you stand now to be able to figure out where you can go next. Turns out top-notch credit can be your golden ticket to securing an affordable mortgage or qualifying for the best interest rates. The Chase Slate Credit Dashboard provides a comprehensive view of your credit health through free access to your monthly FICO score, the specific positive and negative factors behind it and tips for improving your score over time.

Raise your hand … and your voice.

If you’re feeling uninspired by your 9-to-5 job, find ways to act like an entrepreneur within your role. Taking on new responsibilities or proactively inventing new systems can make you stand out both within your company and your industry, which may bring financial rewards, such as a deserved pay raise. Don’t be afraid to ask for it, just make sure you understand your company’s financial situation and your market value, and be prepared to explain your merits.

For more tips to improve credit health and find financial happiness, visit Chase.com/news.

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