3 years ago I was in deep do-do!
I was a hot mess!!
I knew I was in trouble… emotionally, financially and relationship wise…. but I just could not pull myself out.
I’m so thankful for my family, my friends and my mentors who stuck by me and helped me find my way to where I am today.
I can truly say, 2017 was one of my best years yet!
I discovered what I wanted to be passionate about and found pleasure committing myself to learning and growing and sharing.
For that, I’m very grateful!!
How about you….
Are you a hot mess?
Are you stuck spinning your wheels with no results?
Do you feel lost, depressed and ready to give up?
Hang in there….. your day will come.
But you will need to reevaluate your process and change some things.
And you might need some help….
Help from the right people.
It won’t be easy but it will be worth it.
For me….
I decided to tackle my issues and took on my credit score.
It was amazing to see the negative impact my low credit score was having on my efforts as I tried to move forward!
I found out fast that a good credit score and credit history were very important in this day and age……
Especially if you don’t have the money to pay cash for big-ticket items!!
It’s not just that you’ll need good credit to get decent rates when you’re ready to buy a home or a car.
Your credit history can also impact whether you get a good job, a decent apartment, a deal on your cell phone and reasonable rates on insurance.
Your credit score is a financial vital sign!!
Thankfully…..
My hot mess days are slowly coming to an end!
My score went from 490 to 716!!
And I’ve made some serious strides emotionally and relationship-wise!!!
For that, I am again truly grateful
And that feeling of gratitude keeps me sharing.
So……
If you’re just starting out or rebuilding your credit, here are 7 tips to help you:
1) Fix any errors on your credit report. It’s bad enough if you’ve made your share of mistakes in the past so you certainly don’t want to be penalized for ones you didn’t make as well.
2) Protect your payment history. Payment history is the biggest factor in calculating your credit score. Catch up on any missed payments and make sure your payments on any debt and other bills like rent and utilities are on time going forward. Also, pay down your debt.
3) Don’t ignore your challenges. If you’re having trouble making payments, you can try to work out a payment plan with your creditors or consult a non-profit credit counseling agency to negotiate on your behalf. You can also get a second job or start a side hustle to increase your income.
4) Don’t close credit accounts. Unless it is absolutely necessary, keep all lines of credit open. When you delete a trade line you also delete the corresponding credit history and this may lower your credit score.
5) Protect yourself from identity theft. Consider contacting each credit bureau to put a security freeze on your credit. But a credit freeze isn’t fool-proof so you may also want to buy a comprehensive identity theft protection service.
6) Build positive credit with a secured bank card. You can’t build a positive credit history if you don’t have any credit and it takes credit to get credit. A good place to start is with a secured bank card, then you can transition to an unsecured card as your credit grows.
7) Finally, be vigilant about monitoring your credit report. Keep track of your score and the items on your credit report. It’s very important that you review your Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion credit files on a regular basis…. at least every 3 months. Correct any errors you find that could be hurting your score.
Remember, your credit scores are always a reflection of your credit file at the moment in time the credit is pulled. So your credit score is only as reliable as the information it’s based on.
As I continue to learn, grow and share…..
I look forward to hearing from you!!
Until next time…..
Althea
I help Busy Nurses & Professionals uncover Alternative Income Options to create an Amazing Life and Thrive!
Download your FREE copy at www.altheamcleish.com
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PS. Yes… I’m a nurse, but did you know that I have a side hustle? I’ve partnered with a leading financial service company and the number one thing they do is credit restoration. We’ve helped many people since I started on this journey and always looking to serve more. Check out these links…. Fix Your Credit and Earn Extra Income.
My goal is to connect people, ideas, and resources so that your life is better because I helped you make the right connection!!
