Thursday, August 17, 2006

Credit Cleansing

This week, I've embarked upon a little credit cleansing. I closed two store accounts that I hadn't used in a very long time, and I got my free annual credit report. Of course, the free report doesn't actually include your credit SCORE, which is really the part you want to know - you still have to pay for that. Which is bullshit. But, I have two reports in hand and am getting the third in the mail sometime soon. I feel like it's time to be a big girl (please, no fat jokes) and take real control of my finances and credit.
The last time I did this, I discovered three accounts that had gone to collection. That was a rude awakening, let me tell you. I had no idea that an overdue library book could go to collection! Those accounts have all been paid, but they still show up on my credit report - and probably will for the next five to seven years. I guess bad credit is sort of like prison. Maybe they'll get removed sooner for good behavior.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, you get a free credit report every year - take it! Figure out what the hell is going on out there in CreditLand!

credit cleansing - B+

2 comments:

Senora Fuerte said...

It will feel SOOOOO good to figure everything out! Once I understood where my money was coming from and where it was all ending up, I felt better about everything in general... May I recommend checking out Oprah's debt diet? When I watch that series, I feel all fired up and motivated. I think there's info on her website. Good luck!! If you ever need a cheering section, Pat and I are usually at home not spending money.

TSL said...

hey - since you get a free report each year from each of the three agencies, you can get one every four months if you plan it out. Good way to watch out for ID theft. Go Mandy!