Having a credit history is essential for making big purchases. Unfortunately for some people, their past isn’t quite as rosy and pristine as they’d like. In fact, many would-be car shoppers have to deal with subpar credit scores, shaky payment histories or even bankruptcy filings. 

But it’s never too late to pick up positive habits – and ignore the bad ones. Here are three credit mistakes you should avoid like the plague. 

Mistake 1: Not reading the fine print
You could think you have a great deal on a credit card, but unless you comb through all of the fine print, you’ll never know for sure. Your card could be loaded with hidden late fees, minimum balances, gradual interest rate increases or other penalties. Make sure you know what to expect before getting involved with a company. Any time a policy changes, it could be enough to disrupt your payment pattern, so work to avoid these situations. 

Mistake 2: Only making minimum payments 
Some people fall into the trap of using a credit card to buy things and then only making minimum payments on their bill. That’s a good way to quickly build up debt without reaping the rewards on your credit score. Instead, try to pay off the entire balance whenever possible. 

USA Today reported that people using rewards cards should also be motivated to make bigger payments. The cash-back rewards or perks received for using a card usually amounts to 1 or 2 percent of the total purchase, which isn’t enough to outweigh interest rates. To truly take advantage of these rewards, pay off your balance in full, or as much of it as you can. 

Mistake 3: Doing nothing with credit cards
If you have credit cards but you aren’t doing anything with them, then you aren’t building credit. That means you’re probably paying start-up fees without getting any of the benefit. Start by opening an account with one card and using it for smaller purchases, paying off the balance immediately. Eventually you can work your way up to multiple cards and major buys. 

Not sure if your credit has you able to buy a used car? Let the experts at NJ State Auto Auction help you. The lot has hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans to choose from. Once you find the vehicle that works for you, the in-house financing team can sort through your options and figure out the best possible plan. 

So you want a new car … now what? The first thing you may have to do is get a reality check, as the cost of a brand new model is pretty high. For some drivers, that's just one of the many reasons to find used cars instead. These pre-owned models provide great value, and in light of the most recent sales figures, they may be the best option as well. 

New cars grow pricier
According to a report from Cars.com, the average transaction price for new cars purchased in October reached $30,382. That's the highest so far for 2014 and represents a slight uptick from September's expenses. However, the cost could be even higher. USA Today reported that TrueCar pegged the average transaction price for the month at $32,957. 

People still need loans to help pay for these expensive new cars. The source reported that the average length of a loan needed to purchase a new model was 67 months. That's the second-longest term in history, and while it could be good news for drivers who don't mind spending a little during their time as owners, it can make a big difference for those who care about the bottom line. 

Opportunities for savvy shoppers
The prices may be going up, but more people buying new cars means there may be greater numbers of used cars entering the market. As vehicles get traded in or discarded for newer models, savvy drivers are able to pick out real gems. 

It could even be easier to find a viable car because gas prices are dropping around the country. A report from AAA found that the average cost of a gallon of gas has recently dropped below $3. With these expenses dropping to their lowest point since December 2010, more people are turning to large SUVs and pickup trucks. They may have been considered gas guzzlers at one point, but in today's world they are almost as practical as smaller sedans. 

Are you convinced yet? Used cars can offer plenty of value for anyone – drivers just have to know where to look. Start your search at New Jersey State Auto Auction. Our lot has hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars, trucks and vans for sale, and you'll be able to find many models at prices that fit in your budget. 

Have you filed for bankruptcy recently? If so, then you're one of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who find themselves in this precarious position each year. While bankruptcy can feel like the end of the world, it does provide a way to start over – provided you know the best methods of doing so. 

Here are a few ways you can work to rebuild your credit score. 

Monitor your credit score
It's going to take a while to get your credit score up to snuff, but you should be consistently checking in on it to ensure that it's moving in the right direction. This also allows you to ensure that there are no errors or inconsistencies on your report, which in turn guarantees there isn't a separate problem holding you back. 

Start fresh with new accounts
Part of the benefit of declaring bankruptcy is being able to start over with regard to your finances. Take advantage of this by saving up enough money to open new bank accounts. The Huffington Post also recommended applying for a secured credit card or retail card to start rebuilding credit. They key is to not use these cards to make extraneous buys – use them to get the basics and then make moves to prevent debt from growing. 

Avoid only paying the minimum
Scrambling to make minimum payments – along with not making payments at all – is part of what got you into debt in the first place. Instead of going right back to your old habits, embrace some positive ones by keeping debt under control. Whenever possible, use credit cards to make small purchases and then pay off the balance immediately. Gradually, this will build up a credit score and allow you to make larger purchases. 

Don't let it scare you off from purchases
Declaring bankruptcy may have you thinking that you're stuck with your current car, as it can be tough to find a loan for a purchase. However, spots like New Jersey State Auto Auction help subprime buyers find used cars that can meet their needs and budget. Our in-house financing department has the power to get you approved for credit even if you've had trouble in the past, and you can use that to select one of the hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans on the lot. 

Want to spend a ton of money when you purchase your next car? Unless you've stumbled across some buried treasure, the answer to that question is probably no. Unfortunately, many drivers don't know what to do to keep cash in their wallets. Here are a few do's and don'ts to keep in mind when shopping around for cars. 

Don't: Buy a new model
We get it: A lot of people want to enjoy that new car smell when they get behind the wheel. However, not many know how much that aroma actually costs. Yes, you're getting a high-quality car, but the second you drive off the lot it begins dropping in value. Yahoo reported that a new vehicle with a sticker price of $30,000 loses more than half its value in the first three years of ownership – a fact that can leave you owing more money than your ride is worth very quickly. 

Do: Find a used car 
Your best bet for saving money may be to find used cars that meet your needs. Today's used cars offer many of the same technology and safety features that you'd see on a newer model, all at a lower price. If you can find an option that's been well-maintained and has the qualities you like, you might want to jump on it. 

Don't: Blindly agree to a loan 
Most buyers will need some kind of help affording a car, regardless of whether it's new or used. If you fall into this category, make sure you're doing your research before agreeing to a loan. Just because you think an offer may be the best to come along doesn't make it so. Look up average loan terms and interest rates for your area and budget, and use online calculators to check that your offer is fair. 

Do: Look for a shorter loan 
Many drivers, especially those who are classified as "subprime," may be tempted to accept a longer loan because it allows smaller monthly payments. However, with these agreements you'll probably be paying much more in the long run – maybe even more than the car is worth. Try to scrounge up money for a hefty down payment or splurge for the shorter loan instead. 

If you need help finding a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. Not only does the auction lot have hundreds of Carfax-certified used vehicles for sale, but it also has an in-house financing team that can help save you money. 

Auto insurance is a must for any driver, but sometimes it can feel like a useless burden. The second you get into an accident, however, that same insurance becomes your best friend. While you may not have a choice when it comes to whether you need insurance, there are many options for providers and plan types – but it's up to you to find one that works. There's good news and bad news for drivers who are shopping around for a new policy. 

Low-income buyers charged high prices
The Washington Post recently reported that low-income drivers are under a lot of financial stress when it comes to their car insurance. According to new data from the Consumer Federation of America, there are certain areas throughout the U.S. where average insurance premiums greatly exceed the norm, posing a significant problem for low-income drivers. 

"High insurance premiums act to deny [low-income] Americans economic opportunity and also help to explain why so many low-income drivers drive without insurance," said Tom Feltner, CFA's director of financial services and the principal author of the report, as quoted by The Post. 

The source did note that several factors go into insurance premiums. For example, urban areas tend to have higher rates of thefts and more expensive repair costs, which can up the required payments. 

Americans are still satisfied
Some people face high prices, but most are happy with their insurance provider. A recent study from J.D. Power found that overall customer satisfaction in the industry has steadily improved throughout the past five years. The biggest gains were made with regard to service interaction happiness and claim professional satisfaction, which essentially means that insurance representatives are doing their best to help clients. 

"Insurance companies are placing more emphasis on training their employees and representatives to be customer-centric, especially during the interaction process," said Jeremy Bowler, senior director of the global insurance practice at J.D. Power. "That focus is reflected in the increase in satisfaction, specifically with claim professionals, whose primary responsibility is to accurately estimate the amount of the insurance settlement." 

Although some people may face higher premiums, there are plenty of ways to balance a budget so a used car is affordable. If that's the case, you need to check out NJ State Auto. The auction lot boasts hundreds of Carfax-certified vehicles, as well as an in-house financing department that can help you find the right fit.