Credit Coaching by Kristi

So many people reach out to me asking how to start credit, how to improve their credit, or tell me they don't understand what it takes to have a great credit profile. Let's fix that today! Listen in to learn the rules of the game and to win at this thing called credit profile. You want to show up with a high credit score so you can qualify for the best interest rates available when it comes time to finance the purchases you may be looking to get a loan for like a car or a home. Questions@creditkristi.com

Have you applied for a loan or a credit card and were declined? Wonder what to do now? What happens with that information? Who knows about this besides you and the creditor? Is it reported someplace that will come back to haunt you? I remember all of those fears and thoughts when I have been declined before and I know exactly how (crappy) it feels. Listen in to learn what you need to know if you have been declined: some potential reasons why, what to aim for to improve upon your situation, and what to do next. 

Hi friends! It's our anniversary! 3 Years today launched this podcast! And this is the 99th episode- so THANK YOU! for being part of this journey. I hope this information has helped you have a better understanding of credit. Would you please provide a great review if I have helped teach you something new, maybe share what you like (so I do more of it each episode!). Appreciate ya! Debt management plans and debt settlement companies are two VERY different things. Their business model is different, their impact on your credit is different and most people don't know they are two very different entities.  Debt management plans are non-profits with certified credit counselors (which require 60 hours of training and passing an intense exam through FINRA and they help negotiate terms to HELP you get your debts paid back by negotiating lower APRs and beneficial terms to make on time and total repayment. Debt settlement companies are out to make money, serving themselves first, and then, after having your credit destroyed with late payments, your accounts being closed by the creditor, late fees added and possibly new collections or charge-offs now being created, they wait until your creditor and you have been hurt by lack of repayment methods and TRY to negotiate terms to settle for less  than owed. VERY different ways to approaching debt that might be strangling you. Consider a debt management plan over a debt settlement plan.  I had mentioned credit.org in the episode, and I have NO affiliation with them, they are just one of the bigger good guys there to help if you need help paying off debt and want to consider options. Questions@creditkristi.com

I am asked more about collections than any other credit topic. The majority of the time is what to do with collections, what happens if I dispute it, what happens if I try to talk with the creditors, and what do I need to know to help in situations with collections. Listen in as your credit coach explains what you need to know, what affects your credit the most when it comes to handling collections, to help position your credit profile as best as possible. Questions@creditkristi.com

D. Saul is a credit expert. He had started off fixing his own problems, then became so well versed solving issues for his friends and family, that he got into credit repair. He shares his wisdom and gems with us in this episode. And connect with him! D.Saul's connection contacts: Fix Your Own Credit For Free!! | Facebook https://creditrepairhacks.page/pages/free D. Saul - YouTube

If you have student loans, you know that they are going back into repayment status. What's unfortunate is many people have moved or have new contact info, so is the new loan servicer even able to track you down to start collecting your payment? Because Navient isn't servicing federally backed loans any longer! Who you paid in the past may not be who you will be paying now (ohhhh, and I just thought about this, what about fraudulent scammers???). Listen in to learn some national statistics and also how this will impact your credit report. Check out my newest book! Finish Financially Free: https://a.co/d/0c7SBZc Questions@creditkristi.com

Are you headed off to college or care about someone who is? Listen in as your credit coach shares about the challenges of starting new credit, warnings about getting tripped up with new debt and bills, and some ways to cautiously begin your credit and money management journey. Questions@creditkristi.com

What Does money and marriage have in common!? If you are married, you are already listing the ways! Money management is one of the most important factors in a healthy marriage, and it necessary to work through together. 22% of divorces in the US list money as the predominant cause. Money is intimate, sensitive, and required to discuss in a healthy marriage. Listen in as your Credit Coach drops some knowledge when it comes to money and marriage. Questions@creditkristi.com

Brief overview about collections, and how medical and non-medical collections differ. What impact does a collection have on your credit profile? questions@creditkristi.com

How can you win a game that you don't know the rules of? Learn how to play the credit reporting bureau's games by knowing some basics. Questions@creditkristi.com

According to a survey I just read about, I share with you the top 5 problems we face when it comes to money. Do any of these apply to you? Do all of them? Listen in to learn what the majority of those surveyed shared in their responses to their top money problems. Source: USA Today with the survey conducted by Money Rates

Hey friends! I am asked ALL the time about credit repair companies. You can't just erase past mistakes, although you can clean up inaccurate or erroneous information. Learn what can and cannot be removed or changed on your credit report with these helpful tips from your coach. questions@creditkristi.com

If you carry a credit card balance, there is a good chance that you are experiencing a higher minimum payment or have seen that more of your monthly payment is going towards interest rather than paying down your outstanding balance. This is because the interest rate has gone up. How can this be? Listen in as Credit Kristi shares with you the various ways your APR of your credit card can increase. Questions@creditkristi.com Website mentioned in the show to stop receiving credit card offers: optoutprescreen.com

Listen in as your credit coach shares 6 tips on how to raise your credit scores. Easy to implement and will have a long lasting positive impact on your credit profile and credit scores. Questions@creditkristi.com

Using credit and loans to leverage oneself to do more with what you have is likely the goal. For instance, putting down a required down payment and then financing your home vs. saving $400,000 to pay cash helps you be a homeowner much sooner in life. But what happens when you feel too stretched, over-leveraged and unsure if you can make the payments? That is the reality for tens of millions of Americans, right now. In fact, over 20 million people are several months late on their electric bill, at risk of being turned off. With record breaking borrowing, payments and nearly all-time high's of APRs, at least in the most recent few decades (which might be your entire lifespan so far!), many people are feeling the pressure and not sure what to do. Questions@creditkristi.com

Many people had purchased a new car in the last year or so, millions more than "usual." What's interesting is the average car price, loan amount and what now stands as the average new car payment and length of the loan term. I bring you this information because I am predicting a wave of repossessions based on the loose standards that the auto financing industry has followed since late 2020. With very little in the way of standards to ensure people can actually afford the monthly car payments, I believe repo's will surge and many people will experience damage to their credit profile (and wallet) because of it.  questions@creditkristi.com

You are likely hearing a lot in the financial arena about rates going up. But what rate are they talking about? There are various rates that affect different parts of your finances, so listen in as your Credit Coach breaks down the three different interest rates that most affect you: the Fed Funds rate, Prime Index Rate and the 10 Year Treasury Yield. Say what? It's not as boring as you might think- and important to have an overall idea of what each one is. Questions@CreditKristi.com

If you are looking at ways to reduce your debt and trying to learn about the different options out there, listen in to learn about debt consolidation and debt restructuring affect your credit and long term goals. questions@creditkristi.com

I hear a LOT of people tell me they are "working on their credit" but that can mean everything from: I kind of care now and will try to avoid collections to paying off "bad" debt and righting the wrongs.  This is a re-record of the original "How hard are you willing to work" since it was my most listened to episode and my 2nd episode I ever recorded- and I sounded terrified and didn't edit out the mistakes and big blank moments. Oh well! So I re-recorded the same info and hopefully it's easier to listen to! Listen it to see what Credit Kristi recommends to actually work hard to heal your credit. Questions@CreditKristi.com

Credit is so much more than a number you can brag about at dinner parties. LOL  Your credit score can affect a lot of things, or even keep you from qualifying for certain things. A poor credit score can negatively impact your finances and cash flow and a great score can help you build up net worth with lower interest payments, allowing you to pay your debts off with greater ease. Here are my thoughts on the top 7 ways good credit can help you! Questions@CreditKristi.com