Get Your Credit Straight!
One of the most important things to remember in wealth creation is your credit rating is important. If anyone tells you it’s not, it is very likely that they are credit challenged. The reality is, in spite of well thought out plans and precautionary measures, life happens. It can be an illness or a leaky roof. At some point in your life, the unexpected will occur and it will cost you. Additionally, in today’s society, in order to obtain basic necessities (e.g., job, insurance, etc.), a good credit rating is required.
I know there can be several reasons for impaired credit, and that a poor credit rating does not mean you’re a bad person. However, many organizations rely on information in your consumer credit report to assess your integrity and how well you honor your commitments. Today’s job market is very competitive; you don’t want to win the job, but lose out on employment because a consumer credit review revealed poor judgment.
Poor credit is costly. What’s most alarming is if asked, many of us don’t know our credit rating, and have never reviewed our credit report. How can you change something when you’re unaware? You don’t want to sit across the table from an employer or creditor and realize that they have access to information about you that you don’t have. It can be a very embarrassing experience. First and foremost, you are responsible for the consumer choices you make. Your credit reports and scores are merely the result of your choices – your report card.
As a result of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FACT Act), consumers are eligible to obtain a free credit report from the three major credit bureaus on an annual basis. To obtain yours, visit www.annualcreditreport.com. Although your credit reports are free, there is a nominal fee for the related credit scores. A credit score is a numeric value that ranks you according to the information included in your credit report at a given point in time. Credit scores typically range from 400-850; the higher, the better. The table below provides the range for credit scores:
If you’ve obtained your credit reports and scores and are discouraged because of the story yours tells, all is not lost. Over time, you can improve your credit rating. The following six steps are essential components of an effective credit restoration plan:
- Pay your bills on time. Do not allow your bills to exceed 30 days past due
- Correct false information in your credit report. A survey conducted by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) concluded that 79% of all credit reports contain errors
- Settle charge-off accounts, collections, and other past judgments; address most recently reported derogatory information first. Your credit report will include contact information for your creditors; use it to negotiate terms for paying off outstanding debts. It is very important that you honor the agreed upon terms
- Keep revolving account (credit card) balances below 50% of your credit limit
- Contact creditors to add positive information to your credit profile
- Do not “lend” your credit to anyone. In all likelihood, if they need to use your credit, it’s because they’ve ruined their own. Don’t allow them to ruin yours
Improving your credit rating takes time. However, it can only be accomplished if you are aware of the problem. Ultimately, accept responsibility for your choices. If others have contributed to your negative credit rating, it’s still your responsibility unless you are a victim of identity theft. To learn more about identity theft, visit www.ftc.gov. Remember, taking ownership of your future means understanding the impact of decisions from your past.
Knowledge Hoop 
