http://www.protectyourgoodcredit.com Choose Wisely Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:57:29 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en In 2003, congress passed a law for Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions entitled Financial Literacy and Education Improvement. This law called for the establishment of the Financial Literacy and Education Commission. The Commission established and sponsors/hosts the website www.mymoney.gov. This website is essentially an index or a collection of links ... http://www.protectyourgoodcredit.com/2007/11/05/financial-literacy-a-national-stratagy/ The current mortgage crisis did not begin when the subprime lenders began to announce that they were facing financial difficulties due to a surge in defaults. It didn’t begin when Greenspan was discussing the housing market ‘conundrum’. It wasn’t caused by the real estate ‘bubble’ popping. It wasn’t terrorists, the ... http://www.protectyourgoodcredit.com/2007/10/31/how-did-this-happen/ For the last several months, I have been talking with a number of consultants, industry experts, legislators, regulatory agencies and members of Congress about the current credit crisis.  With the hope of providing you with a better understanding of the crisis, how it’s progressing, how it could affect you and ... http://www.protectyourgoodcredit.com/2007/10/27/clearing-up-the-credit-crisis/ Anyone worried that late or non-payments will result in foreclosure should consider making a few phone calls to their lender and/or servicing agent. The federal government has recommended that lenders and servicing agents (companies that collect mortgage payments for lenders) take steps to work out payment plans or alternative financing ... http://www.protectyourgoodcredit.com/2007/09/11/facing-foreclosure-2/ Whether it's a personal dilemma, such as whether to change your job, a relationship, your address or a life challenge such as serious illness, unexpected unemployment, or death of a loved one, we make dozens of decisions everyday that can positively or negatively affect our credit history. Only after ... http://www.protectyourgoodcredit.com/2007/05/14/credit-during-crisis/ A reported 35% increase in recent foreclosure fillings may be a result of many homeowners feeling the squeeze of increased payments as their adjustable mortgage rates went up. Hybrid ARMs with interest-only and/or flexible payments options have allowed many homeowners to keep payments unrealistically low while increasing their overall ... http://www.protectyourgoodcredit.com/2007/05/03/facing-foreclosure/ For some time now, my credit report provider has offered a service to correct and re-score a credit report within 5 to 10 business days. Considering if you attempt to get your report corrected of some error or derogatory credit by trying to work with the credit bureaus themselves, you ... http://www.protectyourgoodcredit.com/2006/11/21/a-faster-way-to-improve-your-credit-score/ Any application for credit can result in your credit report being pulled by the potential creditor. Whether it's for a mortgage, a VISA card or a furniture store, it can impact your credit score. One potentially hazardous practice is applying for credit over the internet. If you ... http://www.protectyourgoodcredit.com/2006/10/04/pulling-you-down/ To protect themselves from identity theft, many consumers have purchased paper shredders to destroy their personal information before discarding it in their trash. While it’s better than just throwing offers of credit correspondence away, it may not be enough. By watching any one of the numerous crime shows on TV, ... http://www.protectyourgoodcredit.com/2006/08/31/strip-shredders-not-good-enough/ Routinely couples, whether married or just in a commited relationship, will come to my office to apply for a mortgage and only one of the parties present is aware of the “family” finances and credit history. Or, one member of the couple will come in to get the process started ... http://www.protectyourgoodcredit.com/2006/07/25/if-you-share-finances-you-share-credit-married-or-not/