July 07, 2009
The dirty little secret that can keep you from your dreams for your future.
Today more than ever, our credit report is a prized possession not to be taken lightly. Chances are, you've seen the Free Credit Report.com commercial on television. In it, the couple is forced to live with their parents because the young bride had bad credit but her husband didn't know and now they can't get a loan to buy a home! We'll talk in a moment about where and how to get your credit report.
Your credit report generates a credit score, also called your FICO score, an overall health indicator of your credit-worthiness. You should think of it as a "credit report card." Lenders use your credit score as one of the decision-making factors when determining whether you'll qualify for a loan.
What goes into it, what does it all mean? Your FICO score generally consists of five types of information:
You can find out more about your FICO score at www.myfico.com
A good rule of thumb is to give yourself a credit health checkup annually. You are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus each year. You can obtain these at www.annualcreditreport.com, not FreeCreditReport.com. If you do not know your FICO score, you may want to consider purchasing it. It may cost you $15-$20, but will give you a baseline for what work needs to be done.
If you find any discrepancies on your credit report, contact each credit bureau in regard to the error. The error will be investigated and if unsubstantiated, it will be removed and corrected. Errors can occur when individuals with similar names have credit inaccurately showing on their credit reports. It is important to ensure you are the only one using your identity to obtain credit.
Be aware when making decisions related to finance, the following can affect your score:
Paying down debt is a major focus in the United States today and it is hard work, but the national savings rate is going up and we are finally saving more than we spend. Diligence and focus make the difference, while prioritizing necessities and cutting the fat can have a big impact. Visit www.choosetosave.org
Recent times have made it harder than ever to obtain credit for many; taking these steps can put you on the road to financial success, having the best credit options if, and when, you need them. Now go on, get your personal credit checkup today!
Jamie Turner
Jamie Turner is a consultant in Humana's Human Capital Performance Group. Jamie joined Humana in 2008 to lead the development of the "My Money, My Health a guide to financial fitness" program. Jamie has a BBA from Marshall University and a MBA from Point Park University.
Note: The information available in this article is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing financial advice. Financial recommendations are provided for illustrative purposes only. You’re responsible for verifying the accuracy and suitability of all assumptions and calculations. Please seek the advice of licensed or competent individuals before making any investment or financial planning decisions. Don't rely solely on financial or retirement information found in e-PlanProfessor.
* Links to various other Websites from this site are provided for your convenience only and do not constitute or imply endorsement by Humana of these sites, any products or services described on these sites, or of any other material contained therein. Humana disclaims responsibility for their content and accuracy.
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