Each week in our "Do-It-Yourself Bailout" series, we talk about how we can all get into better financial shape and bail ourselves out of debt. This week: credit scores.

Last week we talked about how taxes can be a part of your DIY bailout.  Today we’re talking about how to improve your credit score and why you should care about it. Beth Kobliner, Takeaway contributor and author of “Get a Financial Life” demystifies credit scores, along with the help of Keith Gumbinger. He’s a mortgage analyst who sees how credit scores affect consumers every day. Both Kobliner and Gumbinger agree: You can't afford to ignore your credit score any longer.