1 Credit Menu Your Credit Rating The Importance of a good credit rating. Maintain A+ Credit Tips for maintaining your good credit. Credit Warning Sign Warning signs to be aware of to avoid ruined credit. Result of Bad Credit The negative effects of damaged credit. Fix a Credit Report Steps to take in order to correct an inaccuracy. Credit Building Build a better credit record. Credit Scoring Discover how creditors rate your credit. Credit Repair Scams Avoid con artists and crooked credit repair firms. New Credit Identity Find out about the new credit identity scam. Credit and Divorce Learn how divorce may affect your credit. Your Credit Rights Understand credit laws that protect your rights. Credit and Seniors Getting credit when you're over 62. Card Applications Banks issuing credit cards to those with problem credit. Finance Menu Bad Credit Loans  Use them to get approved for that loan you need. Credit Counseling Credit counselors can help restore credit ratings. Getting Out Of Debt Take control of your debt and finances. Money Management Steps to successfully manage your money. Savings Guide Developing a sound savings plan. Fiscal Fitness Choosing the right credit counselor. Credit Cards Choosing and using credit cards. Mortgage Financing How to get the best mortgage for your home.

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1 Credit Warning Signs It is far easier to correct a problem before it has become full blown. This simple truth is particularly applicable to a person’s financial life. Nipping fiscal problems in the bud can prevent many negative long term consequences, such as ruined credit. However, in order to take corrective measures an individual must first be aware that a problem exists. Apply for Unsecured Personal Loans! With this in mind, let’s examine some financial warning signs that an individual’s credit may be in jeopardy. Minimum payments are being made on credit cards each month. Credit cards are being used to pay other cards. This is a clear indicator that credit has been stretched too thin. Checks are being floated on a regular basis. This entails writing a check with the hope that money will be deposited into the account before it is cashed. Pay day loans are being utilized. These loans have outrageously high rates and are rarely used except in instances where a person’s expenses have overtaken their income. Credit cards are maxed out. This indicates a person’s over reliance on credit, and points to the fact that they have been unable to pay down the debt. Receiving calls from creditors. Creditors typically call in response to missing payments. Purchases (or bills) are being hid from family members. If there is no problem then there should be nothing to hide. The total amount of debt is unknown. Levels of savings are at zero. This provides no financial cushion should an emergency situation arise. Credit card cash advances are being used to pay bills. Due to the extremely high rates of interest, these advances should rarely (if ever) be used. Each of these instances should act as red flags to warn individuals that a potential problem exists. Typically these signs indicate that people are spending money above their means. If this behavior goes unchecked it generally reaches a point where payments begin to be missed. When this happens it is only a matter of time before credit ratings are severely damaged. However, if these warnings are acted upon promptly then damages can be kept to a minimum. In fact, if action is taken quickly enough, the credit might be completely preserved. A person who finds themselves in this situation might want to begin by creating a personal budget. Information on budgeting can be found in your local library, the internet, or with the help a certified financial advisor.   American Credit Repair Center