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Index
Title Page
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
CHAPTER 1 - Determining Your Current Financial and Credit Situation
What Is Debt?
Determining Your Current Financial Situation
So, Where Do You Stand Financially?
Identifying Credit Mistakes You’ve Made in the Past
Setting Your Financial Goals and Objectives in Today’s Economy
Your Financial Goals
What’s Next?
CHAPTER 2 - The Credit Reporting Agencies
What Is a Credit Reporting Agency, Anyway?
In Their Own Words . . .
What’s Next?
CHAPTER 3 - Credit Reports 101
A Preview of How Credit Scores Work
What Is a Credit Report?
The Anatomy of Your Credit Report
How the Information on Your Credit Report Is Compiled
Who Can View My Credit Report?
Why Your Credit Reports Are So Important
What’s Next?
CHAPTER 4 - Solving Credit Score Mysteries
Prepare to Get a Bit Confused by Credit Scores
Understanding Credit Score Ranges
E = MC Is a Complex Formula . . . Your Credit Score May Seem Just as Complex
Credit Score vs. FICO Score: What’s the Difference?
What’s a VantageScore 2.0?
The Inside Scoop on FICO Scores from the Company that Calculates Them
What’s Next?
CHAPTER 5 - Obtaining Your Credit Reports and Credit Scores
How to Request Free Copies of Your Credit Report Annually
Obtaining Your Credit Report Online
Submitting Your Request by U.S. Mail
Requesting Your Free Credit Report by Telephone
The Cost of Obtaining Additional or More Frequent Credit Reports
What About Your Credit Score?
The Benefits of a Three-in-One Credit Report
You Have Your Credit Report, Now What?
What Your Creditors Have to Say About Your Credit Report
Figuring Out What Needs to Happen Next
Misconceptions and Bad Information Can Lead to Costly Mistakes
What’s Next?
CHAPTER 6 - How to Update or Fix Your Credit Report
Reviewing Your Credit Reports
The Types of Information That Can Be Removed from Your Credit Reports
How to Correct Errors Listed in Your Credit Reports
Initiating Disputes with the Credit Reporting Agencies
Negotiating with Your Creditors
Know Your Legal Rights as a Consumer
Working with a Credit Counseling Company
Meet Collections Expert Michelle Dunn
What’s Next?
CHAPTER 7 - Ten Strategies for Improving Your Credit Rating
Your Actions Always Impact Your Credit Worthiness
Strategies for Improving Your Credit Rating
Strategy 1: Pay Your Bills on Time, Every Time
Strategy 2: Keep Your Credit Card Balances Low
Strategy 3: Having a Long History Counts, So Don’t Close Unused Accounts
Strategy 4: Only Apply for Credit When Needed, Then Shop for the Best Rates on ...
Strategy 5: Separate Your Accounts After a Divorce
Strategy 6: Correct Inaccuracies within Your Credit Reports and Make Sure Old ...
Strategy 7: Avoid Too Many Hard Inquiries
Strategy 8: Avoid Bankruptcy, If Possible
Strategy 9: Avoid Consolidating Balances onto One Credit Card
Strategy 10: Negotiate with Your Creditors or Collection Agencies
Avoiding Credit Repair Scams
Learn How to Better Manage Your Finances and Expenses
Advice from a Credit and Debt Counseling Expert
What’s Next?
CHAPTER 8 - Credit Card Management Strategies
Credit Cards Can Be Your Best Friend or Biggest Credit Foe
What Are Credit Cards?
The Potential Benefits of Credit Cards
The Potential Drawbacks of Credit Cards
What to Consider Before Using a Credit Card
Types of Credit Cards
Using Credit Cards Intelligently
Credit Card Lingo You Should Understand
Shop Around for the Best Credit Card Deals
Managing Your Existing Credit Card Accounts
Take Advantage of Special Balance Transfer Offers
Should You Consider Debt Consolidation?
What to Do if Your Credit Card(s) Get Lost or Stolen
Advice from Experts Representing Three Credit Card Comparison Websites
What’s Next?
CHAPTER 9 - Finding and Obtaining the Best Rate on an Auto Loan
What Happens If You Don’t Pay?
Understanding Your Credit History
Your Credit Reports and Credit Score Directly Impact Vehicle Financing
Shop Around for the Best Vehicle Financing Options
Vehicle Financing Options for People with Bad Credit
What’s Next?
CHAPTER 10 - Finding and Obtaining a Mortgage
Pre-Qualifying for a Mortgage Makes Sense
There Are Many Reasons to Pre-Qualify for a Mortgage
Finding a Mortgage Broker or Lender
What Is a Mortgage Broker?
Fewer Mortgage Options Are Available These Days
Money-Saving Strategies for Mortgage Shoppers
Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval
You’re Pre-Qualified or Pre-Approved, Now What?
What If Your Application Gets Rejected?
What’s Next?
CHAPTER 11 - All About Refinancing in a Tough Economy
How Recent Changes in the Mortgage Industry Will Impact You
Refinancing 101
Popular Reasons Why People Choose to Refinance
The Paperwork You’ll Need to Refinance
Meet Greg McBride, Bankrate.com’s Senior Financial Analyst
What’s Next?
CHAPTER 12 - Getting the Help You Need to Fix Your Credit Problems
Being too Proud to Ask for Help Can Lead to Worse Problems
Solutions for People with Credit and Financial Problems
Strategies for Finding a Qualified Financial Planner
Credit Counselors Are Available to Help You
Beware of Scams
Debt Consolidation May Be a Viable Option
Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help
Advice from a Certified Financial Planner
What’s Next?
CHAPTER 13 - Identity Theft and Bankruptcy Two Credit Rating Killers to Avoid
How Many People Out There Are Posing As You?
Watch Out! Identity Theft Is the Fastest Growing Crime in America
How Criminals Obtain Your Private Information
You May Already Be a Victim of Identity Theft and Not Even Know It
What to Do if You Become an Identity Theft Victim
Consider Using An Identity Theft Prevention Service
Meet Todd David, CEO and Founder of LifeLock
Thoughts About Bankruptcy from an Attorney
What’s Next?
CHAPTER 14 - Managing Your Finances There’s an App For That
Mint.com Is an Online and App Tool
Manage Your Credit Cards with a Smartphone App
Now It’s Your Turn . . .
Glossary
Index
Subscribe to Entrepreneur Magazine
Copyright Page
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