Chances are if you're reading this right now about accessing a
free annual credit report, you have a bit of a credit problem. It might
not be too bad yet...OR...it might be full blown.
Stop credit problems before they start!
You can stop a lot of credit problems before they happen just by staying on top of your credit information that is stored at the credit agencies. How? Get the information on your current credit score by obtaining your free annual credit report available through the agencies.
Then, use that information to help you repair your credit and start on the happier road to financial freedom.
The reason that keeping on top of your credit information can actually help you stop credit problems before they start is because sometimes credit agencies make mistakes. They get wrong information or worse, information on someone else and post it under YOUR name.
Regardless of your situation you CAN repair your credit.
Today, more and more individuals, business people and families are in financial crisis than any time in the last decade. This is because of a multitude of things from job layoffs, the result of a slowing economy, to easy credit card access.
This easy access to credit cards creates a whole lot of credit blues on down the road if you can't afford all that you've purchased on your cards.
Credit problems become an absolute nightmare when you are actually paying out more in interest rate charges on those cards than you are on buying food for the month as has happened to many unfortunate people.
If you are experiencing credit problems, you are definitely not alone!
The key for you to turn it around is to decide you are ready. Yep, a decision to take action is an amazing motivator and once you do decide, you're already on the right road to freedom.
Start on the right path to curing your debt by knowing your credit score and all the entries, good and bad, that make up that score. You'll begin to see where the biggest problems are that damaged your score and even possibly identify some mistakes that could be quickly fixed to improve your score.
There are three credit companies that offer you a free yearly credit report. The companies are: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion and they are required to offer you the chance to get a free annual credit report every 12 months.
So that part is easy. The hard part is getting your credit in better shape. That is, if you don't know how and unfortunately the media is full of myths and hype about that.
But if you do know how, you can definitely repair your credit yourself!
An entire credit toolkit with advice, letters, forms and ideas on repairing your credit are available at WomenCorp Magazine
There are also some steps that you can take today to begin repairing your credit without paying extra high fees to credit repair agencies.
The first one is to go buy a notebook! You might wonder what having a notebook has to do with repairing your credit, but think of it as sort of an in-house accountant, one that is on call all the time. That notebook will become your friend when it comes to keeping up with your credit repair progress. Check off as you deal with each credit issue and pat yourself on the back too. You're on your way!
Here's why you need that notebook: Backup documentation! Face it, people lose information and creditors' employees change often, meaning you have to start over with someone else if the files weren't passed along. Keep that information to save yourself a lot of time and money when trying to repair your credit.
When you begin taking steps to contact merchants, credit companies and others who may be holding debt, you want to write down everything. In your book, assign 1-2 pages for each creditor to keep your notes.
You might even number the pages of your book and at the front put an index with the page numbers beside it so you can look them up quickly when needed.
On each page for every action you take with your creditors, list the people you spoke with, what they said, and what you do to follow up. If you have to send them copies of documents, keep a copy for yourself in a file folder for easy reference. It takes persistence and time to make your credit blues go away. The norm in the industry is three to six months from start to finish.
Don't get discouraged!
Getting good credit scores can make a huge difference in your life. First of all, it feels good to know you don't have to worry about creditors hounding you day and night for you to pay up or else! Just think how it would feel if you didn't have to be constantly worried whether you can make your next payment or if you didn't have that burden hanging over your head all the time.
Then, it also means you are on the road to financial freedom. Did you know, for example, that if you have good credit you'll be able to finance purchases at a much lower interest rate?
The road to financial freedom starts with good credit so be sure to keep up with yours by asking for your free annual credit report today. When you begin solving the credit problems that caused your report to show a less than ideal score, you should also begin to do one more thing. Save!
Now you might not see right now exactly how you can both save and pay off your debts. But it is possible! Even if you take just $25 out of every paycheck, the price of a pizza and a few cokes, and put it into a savings account, you'll be shocked at the end of six months how your financial situation starts looking better and better.
It doesn't take a lot to get in good financial condition, but it does take action. So take action today. Get yourself that notebook and write down all your creditors, go get your credit repair toolkit with forms, ideas and advice, then as Nike says "Just Do It!"
Stop credit problems before they start!
You can stop a lot of credit problems before they happen just by staying on top of your credit information that is stored at the credit agencies. How? Get the information on your current credit score by obtaining your free annual credit report available through the agencies.
Then, use that information to help you repair your credit and start on the happier road to financial freedom.
The reason that keeping on top of your credit information can actually help you stop credit problems before they start is because sometimes credit agencies make mistakes. They get wrong information or worse, information on someone else and post it under YOUR name.
Regardless of your situation you CAN repair your credit.
Today, more and more individuals, business people and families are in financial crisis than any time in the last decade. This is because of a multitude of things from job layoffs, the result of a slowing economy, to easy credit card access.
This easy access to credit cards creates a whole lot of credit blues on down the road if you can't afford all that you've purchased on your cards.
Credit problems become an absolute nightmare when you are actually paying out more in interest rate charges on those cards than you are on buying food for the month as has happened to many unfortunate people.
If you are experiencing credit problems, you are definitely not alone!
The key for you to turn it around is to decide you are ready. Yep, a decision to take action is an amazing motivator and once you do decide, you're already on the right road to freedom.
Start on the right path to curing your debt by knowing your credit score and all the entries, good and bad, that make up that score. You'll begin to see where the biggest problems are that damaged your score and even possibly identify some mistakes that could be quickly fixed to improve your score.
There are three credit companies that offer you a free yearly credit report. The companies are: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion and they are required to offer you the chance to get a free annual credit report every 12 months.
So that part is easy. The hard part is getting your credit in better shape. That is, if you don't know how and unfortunately the media is full of myths and hype about that.
But if you do know how, you can definitely repair your credit yourself!
An entire credit toolkit with advice, letters, forms and ideas on repairing your credit are available at WomenCorp Magazine
There are also some steps that you can take today to begin repairing your credit without paying extra high fees to credit repair agencies.
The first one is to go buy a notebook! You might wonder what having a notebook has to do with repairing your credit, but think of it as sort of an in-house accountant, one that is on call all the time. That notebook will become your friend when it comes to keeping up with your credit repair progress. Check off as you deal with each credit issue and pat yourself on the back too. You're on your way!
Here's why you need that notebook: Backup documentation! Face it, people lose information and creditors' employees change often, meaning you have to start over with someone else if the files weren't passed along. Keep that information to save yourself a lot of time and money when trying to repair your credit.
When you begin taking steps to contact merchants, credit companies and others who may be holding debt, you want to write down everything. In your book, assign 1-2 pages for each creditor to keep your notes.
You might even number the pages of your book and at the front put an index with the page numbers beside it so you can look them up quickly when needed.
On each page for every action you take with your creditors, list the people you spoke with, what they said, and what you do to follow up. If you have to send them copies of documents, keep a copy for yourself in a file folder for easy reference. It takes persistence and time to make your credit blues go away. The norm in the industry is three to six months from start to finish.
Don't get discouraged!
Getting good credit scores can make a huge difference in your life. First of all, it feels good to know you don't have to worry about creditors hounding you day and night for you to pay up or else! Just think how it would feel if you didn't have to be constantly worried whether you can make your next payment or if you didn't have that burden hanging over your head all the time.
Then, it also means you are on the road to financial freedom. Did you know, for example, that if you have good credit you'll be able to finance purchases at a much lower interest rate?
The road to financial freedom starts with good credit so be sure to keep up with yours by asking for your free annual credit report today. When you begin solving the credit problems that caused your report to show a less than ideal score, you should also begin to do one more thing. Save!
Now you might not see right now exactly how you can both save and pay off your debts. But it is possible! Even if you take just $25 out of every paycheck, the price of a pizza and a few cokes, and put it into a savings account, you'll be shocked at the end of six months how your financial situation starts looking better and better.
It doesn't take a lot to get in good financial condition, but it does take action. So take action today. Get yourself that notebook and write down all your creditors, go get your credit repair toolkit with forms, ideas and advice, then as Nike says "Just Do It!"
Rox Batson is the founder of WomenCorp Magazine, dedicated to
helping women in business start and build successful woman owned
companies. Find more information on how to start and grow a profitable
business at http://www.WomenCorp.org