EliteCashBlog

When we think of addiction what usually think of is the typical drinking, drugging, food – not money. In a society that worships money, wealth addiction is taboo. In this article you can read here, Sam Polk, a former hedge-fund trader who made millions discusses his obsession with never feeling like obtaining more money was enough.

Know what information lenders have on you.

While you’re cleaning up your debt, order copies of your credit reports, which are free, and your credit scores, which cost about $15, since the information contained in them will directly affect the interest rates you’re offered on credit cards, mortgages and other loans.

There are three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Each collects information on your credit history which is culled into a credit report. From that report, a credit score is derived. That score is a quick way for lenders to assess how risky you are as a potential borrower. The higher your score, the less risk you pose to lenders, and the more likely it is that you’ll get their best available rates.

The score most commonly used by lenders is the FICO score, developed by Fair Isaac.

When lenders review your credit reports and resultant FICO scores, they take into account not only how much you owe but also how much credit you have available to you. Too much of either and they may not loan you any more money.

So when you get your reports, check for inaccuracies; the bureaus are required to investigate and correct them once you report them. Look, too, for things that may lower your credit rating, including open lines of credit you never use or accounts you thought had been closed long ago.

The bureaus may have different information about your credit history, which means your credit score can vary somewhat from bureau to bureau. So it’s important to view reports from all three.

You can get any of the bureaus’ credit reports free at www.annualcreditreport.com and your FICO score from MyFICO.com. Then check if this is true: If you’ve been turned down for credit, employment, or housing in the past 60 days, you may receive a free credit report from all of the three credit bureaus.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/lesson9/index7.htm

If you’ve maxed out your credit cards and are getting deeper in debt, chances are you’re feeling overwhelmed. How are you ever going to pay down the debt? Now imagine hearing about a company that promises to reduce – or even erase – your debt for pennies on the dollar. That sounds like the answer to your problems, right?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, says slow down, and consider how you can get out of the red without spending a whole lot of green.

Visit this link to learn more about fixing your credit card debt.