Thursday, January 15, 2009

Do you Know when Credit Repair is Needed?

By Rob Kosberg

Can you remember when you received your first credit card, signed your first apartment lease, applied for your first car loan? We were so proud and careful about our spending. Then we became more successful, made a higher salary, had more money, could get more credit. A lot of us probably got too comfortable and increased our use of credit. You might need credit repair.

One day, it dawns on us that we have serious debt and money management issues and credit repair is necessary. How will we realize this? Sometimes we sort of have a "feeling" that all is not well. At other times, we may be suddenly shocked by our credit card balances, experience a crisis that seriously affects our money and lifestyle.

A thorough look at our entire financial picture is in order. We must figure out what it is that we are doing that created and is maintaining our problems, and make a plan to fix it. Initially, we have to answer the question "Are we spending more than we make?" This can absolutely happen when we have such easy access to loans, credit, savings accounts. We often use these means to maintain our lifestyle and soon we learn that we shouldn't do this. Credit repair is needed.

People will do other things like using credit, loan money to pay bills like utilities and to make other purchases. These are not good money management techniques and will dig the hole deeper.

When we need money for the usual, everyday expenses, like food, clothes, gas, etc, we should be using our cash. It's not helpful to use credit for things that will be already used by the time you get the bill. This is especially true if you don't pay credit card bills in full each month.

Perhaps many of us like the feeling of cash in our pockets, so we will use credit even when we have the cash. This habit can also contribute to careless payment habits. Then we're surprised when our cards are at the "max." Then the pattern of paying some bills and ignoring to "catch up" can begin. We are moving into financial crisis. You need credit repair.

There are people who use cards to pay other cards or extending themselves with loans. There are costs for card balance transfers and loan costs. Nothing is really solved and it's back to the black hole.

So, if you recognize your financial habits here, you will know that you need to seriously take a look at your debt and spending habits. You need credit repair and debt management ASAP. - 16463

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