The little things add up to big savings

By Michelle Dunn
NH Mirror Contributor

6 free things women can do starting today to improve their credit

1. Order copies of your credit report for free once a year by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com or calling toll free (877) 322-8228. This way you can see what is on your report and what your credit score is. Then you can take steps to improve it.

2. Make sure everything on your report is legitimate. If you don’t agree with something on your report, send a letter to the credit bureaus disputing the item and ask that it be attached to your credit report until the item is removed.
Credit bureaus are required to do this, and when someone pulls your report, they are obligated by law to disregard that item. If you ask, the consumer reporting company must send notices to anyone who received your report within the last six months, and you can have a corrected copy of your report sent to anyone who received a copy during the last two years for employment purposes.

3. Cancel any credit accounts still listed as open accounts on your report – this will show the account was cancelled by the consumer, boosting your credit rating.

4. When you call your credit card companies to cancel the cards, tell them you are trying to pay off your balance and ask if they can waive any late fees or over-the-limit charges. This will lower your bill as soon as the credit is issued. Many credit card companies will do this, but you must cancel the card.

5. Make all payments on time, even if it’s just a minimum payment. Do this for three months and you will see your credit rating start to improve. Pay off higher balances with higher interest rates first, or smaller balances that you can pay off in one or two payments, to reach a zero balance quickly.

6. If your situation is serious, contact a legitimate non-profit credit counseling service for help. Avoid any company that promises you a quick reversal of your credit problems – they are a scam and you will be wasting your money.

7 tips to avoid falling into debt

1. Cut up all credit cards and use your debit card, so you only use money you have.

2. Pay with cash or your debit card whenever possible.

3. Live within your means.

4. Avoid “buy now, pay later” and “interest-free financing” offers.

5. Cut down on unnecessary expenses, such as cell phones, cable TV, Starbucks and magazines, and try to carpool to work.

6. Save for anything you want to buy rather than paying for it with credit.

7. Start a budget and stick to it. Consider it a challenge and be strong, and you will win!

Michelle Dunn is the founder and president of Never Dunn Publishing, LLC and Credit & Collections Association. For more information, visit www.BizCreditPolicy.com or www.michelledunn.com.