What's credit got to do with it?
Maintaining good credit is as important as safe guarding your social security number. While our government is working on stimulating the economy, work on your credit. Do you know it is being used for everything from getting a job, to getting insurance and the list goes on. Although there are situations where credit issues stem from illnesses, bad investments, or lost of jobs, there are others who seem to feel it is no big deal. Well I am here to tell you it is a big deal and will become even bigger as credit guidelines are tightened. No one will be exempt, so what is the first thing you should do? Pull your credit report (www.freecreditreport.com) This will not be counted against you since it is you pulling it. Stop shopping around and allowing every place you visit, to pull your credit, this brings your score down. Review your credit report and dispute items that are not yours, outdated information should be removed. and certainly information that is incorrect. If you need help, you can pick up books on the subject, hire a credit restoration service (www.wealthnwisdom.net) to clear it up but do something and start now. Note: the sources in parenthesis are to give you a starting point but by all means use whatever source appeals to you.
Parents, it is never too early to start teaching your children about money and how to handle credit. I feel It is a subject that should be taught in school but isn't. It is up to us to lay the foundation and do so early in our children's life. ( Use games to help such as the Cash Flow game from Rich Dad Poor Dad, Monopoly, and other age appropriate games, or make up your own)
Did you know collections firms are growing in our country? Actually that is no surprise as there are lots of people with credit issues. Imagine receiving calls at work or at the end of a stressful day at work asking for money. If you had it you would have already paid the bill.
The stories I could tell but I won't. Am I making too much of the subject? Not really. You pay more or you get nothing there is no middle ground. Let's clean up our act. Any thoughts on the matter? Any services free or for pay that you have used that might be helpful to someone else? Please share.