The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) amendment to the FCRA of 2003, is the federal legislation that governs the credit reporting industry. Statutes of limitation for reporting time limits are provided by this legislation. Knowing how these time limits work is essential to any effective credit repair effort.

In Plain English

Let's try to put some of this jargon into plain English. The term "statute of limitation" in the case of your credit reports, simply refers to the maximum amount of time that a derogatory item can continue to be reported. When the statute of limitation passes for any negative item on your credit report, that item should vanish. There are an amazing number of violations of these time limits that may appear on your report. Some violations are intentional as in the case of many of the collection accounts that we see, and others are due to a simple failure of the highly complex credit reporting system. A careful credit repair effort can eliminate these violations.

An Interesting Point

In a moment we will review statutes of limitation for the most common types of derogatory information. But you might find it interesting to know that the Federal Trade Commission permits the credit bureaus to delete information at any time at their discretion. There is no requirement that the bureaus wait until the passing of a statute of limitation date to stop reporting. There are many cases where you would be well advised to request deletion even if the Statute of limitation is imminent.

Collections and Charge Offs

Collections and charge offs must cease reporting seven years plus 180 days from the initial delinquency that led to the collection status or to the charge off. The initial delinquency is the date of the first 30 day late status that led to the collection or charge off. This period of time cannot be reset by any subsequent payment or for any other reason. The clock starts with the original creditor. Collectors such as assignees, attorneys, or collection agencies must abide by the same original statue of limitation expiration date. Neither the original creditor nor collectors can extend these reporting limits. Any attempt to do so is illegal. Unfortunately this law is often ignored. Effective credit repair efforts require a very exacting examination of these dates.

Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 bankruptcies can report for 10 years from the discharge date. Chapter 13 bankruptcies can report for 7 years from the filing date. But be aware that if the Chapter 13 is not completed the reporting limit is extended to 10 years. I mentioned above that the credit bureaus are allowed to delete information from your report prior to the expiration of statute of limitation. Any credit repair effort should take this flexibility into consideration. Bankruptcy is a case where we highly recommend requesting removal. If you are five or more years past discharge your request may be honored.

Tax Liens

Paid tax liens can report for 7 years from the date of payment. Unpaid tax liens can report for as long as they are in effect. Please be aware that most unpaid tax liens are released by the IRS after 10 years. The IRS will usually provide a lien release upon request after the 10 year limit has past. When you provide the release to the credit bureaus they will cease reporting. There are cases that allow the IRS to re-file. Please speak to your CPA or tax attorney for clarification before contacting the IRS!

Judgments

Generally, unpaid judgments will cease reporting 7 years after the filing date. However, unpaid judgments are a case where state statute of limitation will overrule federal statute. Your state may allow unpaid judgments to report for longer than 7 years. State statutes of limitation are easily found on the internet. Paid judgments may be reported for 7 years from the filing date. No state statutes may overrule federal limits for paid judgments.

Gone but Not Gone

Derogatory information that falls off of your credit report due to an expiration of the statutory time limit does not get deleted. This obsolescent information should not continue to appear on your credit report, but it is not gone. If you apply for a loan for over $150,000, life insurance with a death benefit over $150,000, or a job that pays over $75,000, your potential lender, insurer, or employer has the right to view your prior history. This fact adds some additional support to the case for credit report vigilance. If you are attempting credit repair and have erroneous info on your report it is best to dispute it now. Waiting for the statue of limitation to pass may not produce the clean result that you want. Disputed items that get deleted are literally removed from your credit report.

Copyright © 2007 James W. Kemish. All Content. All Rights Reserved.

Credit Repair Plain English Seminar

PLAIN ENGLISH Book, Audio CDs and Forms on EVERY topic associated with personal credit. How to get credit, understand your credit score and credit report, how to get credit after bankruptcy, how to stop creditors cold, how to repair credit, and how to get credit if you're self-employed.

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Most helpful customer reviews

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
Great Product - Excellent Company - Fast Shipping - Very Responsive
By C. C. Mantis
It's hard to know what to expect when you order an item like this. I went off the only review available and took a chance. Glad I did. This is a very good product. Sure, some of the information is available elsewhere but the presentation format, 1. A 291 Page Manual (a good portion includes applicable credit repair laws, 2. Four Audio CD's and, 3. One Forms CD is very complete and covers my personal credit needs.

Also shows how to deal with creditors, how to repair your own credit and rebuild after bankruptcy and how to acquire new credit if self employed like me.

I had a question regarding my order and they responded immediately to my full satisfaction. I'm so impressed I ordered another product from these same folks. Shipping was very fast via Priority Mail. Highly recommended.

You could do a lot worse out there.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
packed with good information
By Jeannette Nissen
I recently moved to the U.S. and didn't know anything about the U.S. credit system. This book and CD had all the information to help me quickly get credit and also tips on which types of credit would help my credit score the most. My friends borrowed it because it also has information on how to negotiate with creditors, how to settle debt at reduced amounts, how to remove negative credit information and how to rebuild credit after bankruptcy. I looked at several guides but this one has the most information packed into one source!

See all 2 customer reviews...

Your credit report contains information about where you work, live and how you pay your bills (On time or not). It also may show whether you've been sued, arrested or have filed for bankruptcy with in the last 10 years. Companies called consumer reporting agencies (cra) or credit bureaus compile and sell your credit report to businesses all over the world.

Many financial advisors suggest that you periodically review your credit report for inaccuracies or omissions. This could be especially important if you're considering making a major purchase, such as buying a home. Checking in advance on the accuracy of information in your credit file could speed the credit-granting process, clean credit is a must.

Because businesses use this information to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, and other purposes allowed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), it's important that the information in your report is complete and accurate.

Whenever you apply for any type of credit or financing, a credit report is pulled from at least one of the three major credit bureaus. You want a clean credit report to be pulled. While there are hundreds of smaller credit bureaus around the country, virtually every credit bureau is affiliated with either Experian, Trans Union, or Equifax.

Getting Your Clean Credit Report

If you've been denied credit, insurance, or employment because of information supplied by a credit reporting agency, the FCRA says the company you applied to must give you the agency`s name, address, and telephone number. If you contact the agency for a copy of your report within 60 days of receiving a denial notice, the report is free. In addition, you're entitled to one free copy of your report a year.

If you simply want a copy of your report, call each credit bureau listed since more than one agency may have a file on you, some with different information.

The three major national credit bureaus are:

Equifax, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241; (800) 685-1111.

Experian (formerly TRW), P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013; (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742).

Trans Union, P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022; (800) 916-8800.

Correcting Errors For Clean Credit.

To protect all your rights under the law and to keep your credit clean contact both the CRA and the information provider.

First to get clean credit reports, tell the credit reporting agency in writing what information you believe is inaccurate. Include copies (please keep your originals) of documents that support your position. In addition to providing your complete name and address, your letter should clearly identify each item in your report you dispute, state the facts and explain why you dispute the information, and request deletion or correction. Always keep copies of your dispute letter.

They must reinvestigate the items in question, usually within 30 days, unless they consider your dispute frivolous. They also must forward all relevant data you provide about the dispute to the information provider. After the information provider receives notice of a dispute from the CRA, it must investigate, review all relevant information provided by the CRA, and report the results to the CRA. If the information provider finds the disputed information to be inaccurate, it must notify all nationwide CRAs so they can correct this information in your file. Disputed information that cannot be verified must be deleted from your file, then you will recieve a clean credit report, with that item removed.

If your report contains erroneous information, the CRA must correct it(clean credit).

If an item is incomplete, the CRA must complete it. For example, if your file showed that you were late making payments ( 30 days or more), but failed to show that you were no longer delinquent, the CRA must show that you're current.

If your file shows an account that belongs only to another person, the CRA must delete it.

When the reinvestigation is complete, they must give you the written results and a free copy of your clean credit report, if the dispute results in a change. If an item is changed or removed, they cannot put the disputed information back in your file unless the information provider verifies its accuracy and completeness.

Also, if you request, they must send notices of clean credit report corrections to anyone who received your report in the past six months. Job applicants can have a corrected copy of their clean credit report sent to anyone who received a copy during the past two years for employment purposes. If a reinvestigation does not resolve your dispute, ask the CRA to include your statement of the dispute in your file and in future reports.

Second, in addition to writing to the credit agency, tell the creditor or other information provider in writing that you dispute an item. Again, include copies (please not originals) of documents that support your position. Many providers specify an address for disputes. If the provider then reports the item to any credit reporting angency, it must include a notice of your dispute. In addition, if you are correct that is, if the disputed information is not accurate the information provider may not use it again, thus you will have a clean credit report.

When negative information in your report is accurate, only the passage of time can assure its removal. Accurate negative information can generally stay on your report for 7 years.

Clean Credit: There are certain exceptions:

Bankruptcy information may be reported for 10 years.

Information about criminal convictions may be reported without any time limitation.

Credit information reported in response to an application for a job with a salary of more than $75,000 has no time limit.

Information about a lawsuit or an unpaid judgment against you can be reported for seven years or until the statute of limitations runs out, whichever is longer. Criminal convictions can be reported without any time limit.

Credit information reported because of an application for more than $150,000 worth of credit or life insurance has no time limit.

Adding clean credit accounts to your file:

Your credit file may not reflect all your clean credit accounts. Although most national department stores and all-purpose bank credit card accounts will be included in your file, not all creditors supply information: Some travel, entertainment, gasoline card companies, local retailers, and credit unions are among those creditors that don't report clean credit.

If you've been told you were denied clean credit because of an insufficient credit file or no credit file and you have accounts with creditors that don't appear in your credit file, ask the CRA to add this information to future reports. This will help get you on the road to a clean credit report. Although they are not required to do so, many CRAs will add verifiable accounts for a fee. You should, however, understand that if these creditors do not report to the CRA on a regular basis, these added items will not be updated in your file.

Credit Report Score Reporting Agencies

Insider secrets that can improve your credit score

These days, maintaining a good credit report and FICO score is critical. This insider guide reveals how the FICO score is calculated—and lets you in on how to manipulate it. Dirty Little Secrets from the Credit Bureaus offers you little-known strategies for improving credit scores and making a credit report look attractive to lenders. Credit experts from well-known companies show you the best way to communicate effectively with the three major credit bureaus to make corrections and update information. Plus, it reveals how you can get bad information legally removed from credit reports.

About the AuthorMcGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

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Credit Report Score Reporting Agencies Photo

Credit Report Score Reporting Agencies Image

Credit Report Score Reporting Agencies Picture

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Most helpful customer reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful.
A Most Misleading Title.
By Robert J. Donahue
I believe Mr. Rich has "written" quite a few of these little "books"--small-size, large-font cut & paste jobs that require less authorial than editorial skill in stitching together or, at best, paraphrasing. But I have no hard feelings about that--I wish I had the connections to do it myself; God truly does know I could do it better. The problem is that this book contains not one "Dirty Little Secret" it claims to divulge. The "insider" interviews with Credit Bureau representatives are as hard-hitting and helpful as the pablum you'd find in the FAQs at those companies own web sites. It's as if the Credit Bureaus themselves produced the book. There's nothing wrong with this, if it's disclosed, but it's surely misrepresentation to call the result "Dirty Little Secrets". Please. Skip ahead to Stephen Snyder's Credit After Bankruptcy. Or the web, if you have more time.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful.
Dirty little book
By J. McCallum
Do not waste your money if you are trying to repair your credit this decade. These are all things your mom and dad could tell you. On the back of the book it says you will find out how to QUICKLY BOOST your credit score. Well inside the book it says in multiple places there is no way to quickly boost your credit score. I think the credit bureaus tell you more than this guy. It has no real credit repair secrets.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful.
No Secrets Here!!
By mdb
A waste of time and money! This book is extremely repetitive. It says the same things over and over, throughout the book: "Your credit report is important"...."Having a poor credit score will keep you from obtaining credit".....and here is the big "secret" to boosting your credit score---"Pay your bills on time". Those and a few other obvious points fill up the pages of this book in its entirety. If you're really looking for some serious help with your credit score and/or report, this is not the book for you.

See all 12 customer reviews...

Bankruptcy often is the last ultimate solution for many debtors who have unbearable debts. With filing a bankruptcy, you will get rid of your debts instantly and relief you from the harassing call of your creditors.

Although bankruptcy has many undesirable consequences such as your bad credit record will remain on your credit report for 7-10 years, but with a little work, you can improve your credit even before these negative records expire. Here are five easy steps you can take to rebuild your credit.

Step 1: Get to know your current credit status

The first step to rebuilding your credit is to look at exactly where you stand. Order all your three credit reports from those three national credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. You can order these reports online, it easy and secure.

Print each report and review it closely. Try to understand the information listed in your credit reports and highlight any negative records or inaccuracies that are damaging your credit score.

Step 2: Check the expiration dates

By law, your bad credit record will remain in your credit report for 7 to 10 years, but the exact expiry date might be different among these 3 reports. Your bad record will still remain at your credit report although you have pay off your old debts and discharge from bankruptcy.

Look up the exact date of each of bad records including judgments, liens, charge-offs, late payments, bankruptcy filings, and collection records. You will likely see a major improvement in your credit score when these records expire.

Step 3: Request For Correct On Any Inaccurate Records

If you find inaccurate records, fraudulent accounts, or records that should have expired on you credit reports, you have the right to send a separate dispute letter to each of the credit bureaus to correct your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion records. The bureaus will initial a 30 days investigation to see whether your requests are valid and if so, they will correct the inaccuracy in your credit report.

Just one note, don't try to dispute any of the positive information listed in your credit reports and it is a waste of time to attempt to dispute these records. Disputing positive information may actually harm your credit scores.

Step 4: Start to create good credits

Since there is no way to remove your bad record from your credit report, the best way to improve your credit score is to add good credits and building up your credit from there. You can easy do this by open up a new credit card from banks like Orchard Bank (Orchard bank has credit card plan designed specially to help people rebuild their credit after bankruptcy).

Use this new credit card responsibly and make the monthly payment timely; with this you are building new history of good credit behavior on your credit report. Over time, you may want to open additional credit card accounts or obtain a loan to boost your credit score even higher.

Step 5: Monitor your progress

Subscribe to a credit card monitoring service or get a credit card monitoring software and use it to track your credit score progress closely. Your credit score should improve steadily as you continue to use credit responsibly and add new positive information to your credit reports.

Summary

Bankruptcy does not need to chain you to bad credit for the next seven to ten years, but you have to be proactive in order to recover and rebuild your credit.

Credit After Bankruptcy Easy Follow Pic

Credit After Bankruptcy Easy Follow Picture

Credit After Bankruptcy Easy Follow Pic

Credit After Bankruptcy Easy Follow Picture

Are you being denied credit everywhere you go because you have bad credit? Are you being offered outrageous interest rates for a loan-refinance or for the purchase of a new home? In the United States, negative items remain on your credit report for at least 7 years. Did you recently run into some bad luck?

If any of these situations have happened to you, then you are not alone:

· You or someone else in your household was recently laid off.

· Someone in your family recently had a medical emergency that required or still requires attention.

· You or someone else in your household has fallen victim to a lawsuit.

· You cosigned for someone else who is unable to pay their bills.

· You have been the victim of identity theft.

While the people in your life may be sympathetic to your misfortune, unfortunately the credit system in the United States doesn't see it that way. If you have less than stellar credit, you get less than stellar treatment.

Fortunately, the United States credit system does have a legal means of removing negative items from your credit report, thanks to a law meant to protect consumers known as The Fair Credit Reporting Act. Basically, this law guarantees the right of all consumers to have access to their credit report, and more importantly, to have the right to dispute information in their credit report which the individual consumer deems to be incorrect.

By engaging the legal process prescribed by The Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can challenge the three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, to provide evidence to prove and verify that the negative items on your credit report are indeed, accurate. The burden of proof is on the credit reporting agency. If the agencies are unable to prove the disputed items, or if it is found that the information contained in your report is indeed inaccurate, then it will be deleted from your credit report.

Unfortunately, this is not a quick and easy solution. It can take a few weeks or months. It requires you to remain persistent and to stay on top of your credit report and to keep in constant communication with the credit reporting agencies.

While it is possible to undertake this task yourself, it is highly recommended that you leverage the resources of an agency that specializes in credit repair. They are well versed in all of the laws concerning credit reporting. They will communicate with the three credit bureaus on your behalf. They will monitor your credit report. They will work actively on your behalf to raise your credit score within a few months' time.

If you have been the victim of unfortunate circumstances, you should not have to wait 7 years for your credit report to improve. You can take positive control over your credit profile and take active steps to fix your credit.

Credit Repair Everyone Legally Ebook

There are many misconceptions about credit scores out there. There are customers who believe
that they don’t have a credit score and many customers who think that their credit scores just
don’t really matter. These sorts of misconceptions can hurt your chances at some jobs, at good
interest rates, and even your chances of getting some apartments.
The truth is, of you have a bank account and bills, then you have a credit score, and your credit
score matters more than you might think. Your credit score may be called many things,
including a credit risk rating, a FICO score, a credit rating, a FICO rating, or a credit risk score.
All these terms refer to the same thing: the three-digit number that lets lenders get an idea of how
likely you are to repay your bills.
Every time you apply for credit, apply for a job that requires you to handle money, or even apply
for some more exclusive types of apartment living, your credit score is checked.
In fact, your credit score can be checked by anyone with a legitimate business need to do so.
Your credit score is based on your past financial responsibilities and past payments and credit,
and it provides potential lenders with a quick snapshot of your current financial state and past
repayment habits.
In other words, your credit score lets lenders know quickly how much of a credit risk you are.
Based on this credit score, lenders decide whether to trust you financially - and give you better
rates when you apply for a loan. Apartment managers can use your credit score to decide
whether you can be trusted to pay your rent on time. Employers can use your credit score to
decide whether you can be trusted in a high-responsibility job that requires you to handle money.
The problem with credit scores is that there is quite a bit of misinformation circulated about,
especially through some less than scrupulous companies who claim they can help you with your
credit report and credit score - for a cost, of course.
From advertisements and suspect claims, customers sometimes come away with the idea that in
order to boost their credit score, they have to pay money to a company or leave credit repair in
the hands of so-called “experts.” Nothing could be further from the truth. It is perfectly possible
to pay down debts and boost your credit on your own, with no expensive help whatsoever.
In fact, the following 101 tips can get you well on your way to boosting your credit score and
saving you money.

Credit Repair Everyone Legally Ebook Picture

Credit Repair Everyone Legally Ebook Image

Credit Repair Everyone Legally Ebook Pic

Credit Repair Everyone Legally Ebook Pic

Your credit history is more than just a record of your payment and spending habit. It is your reputation in the financial world. This is why most people go out of their way to dispute whatever inaccurate information they may find in their credit report. If you are one of them, and has been spending sleepless nights with the question, "How to clean up my credit report?" then, here is your ultimate guide to resolving your dispute as quickly as possible:

o It is usually not a question of how to clean up my credit report but who I should contact to clean it up. In most cases, people may need to contact the credit bureau that keeps the wrong data and the financial institution that furnished it. There are instances that your creditor will be able to resolve the issue even before your dispute reaches the credit reporting agency.

o Answering the question of "How to clean up my credit report?" relies on how aware you are about maintaining a good credit history. There are unavoidable circumstances that may cause you to be late for your payments or to max out your credit card. Should something like this happen, it is best for you to contact your creditor in advance to inform them of your inability to pay on time. Some financial institutions are forgiving enough to work with you in this regard, thus avoiding unnecessary negative reporting.

o Another answer to the question of "How to clean up my credit report?" relies on your basic knowledge about the credit scoring process. A negative report may take up to 7 years before it can be removed from your file and the bankruptcy may take up to 10 years. Having basic knowledge about the procedure will prevent any disputes in the future as it creates awareness on how you can maintain a sterling credit card history.

o Another question that may pop up is "How to clean up my credit report due to a fraudulent activity?" Once you find out that your identity was fraudulently used to obtain credit, do not stop on just resolving that issue. Make sure that all credit reporting agencies are aware of what happened right after you have filed for a report with the financial institution. There is nothing better than working on the problem right after it happened. Correcting any negative reports arising from identity theft may take months and even years to process. Do not wait until an important loan is denied before disputing the report with the credit bureaus. Otherwise, you may end up in a financial bind.

Your credit history is your reputation. Creditors look into your credit history to find out how financially responsible you are. Employers often equate a good financial history to good work ethics. It can help you achieve the financial freedom that you are aspiring for. Do not wait for the time when you have to ask yourself the question "How to clean up my credit report?" You should prevent it from happening instead. Save yourself the hassle of disputing your credit report by reviewing it on a yearly basis.

Creditbooster Ultimate Better Credit Reports

The all-new Kindle has a new electronic-ink screen with 50 percent better contrast than any other e-reader, a new sleek design with a 21 percent smaller body while still keeping the same 6-inch-size reading area, and a 17 percent lighter weight at just 8.5 ounces. The new Kindle also offers 20 percent faster page turns, up to one month of battery life, double the storage to 3,500 books, built-in Wi-Fi, a graphite color option and more—all for only $139.

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Creditbooster Ultimate Better Credit Reports Picture

Creditbooster Ultimate Better Credit Reports Photo

Creditbooster Ultimate Better Credit Reports Pic

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Most helpful customer reviews

28439 of 28738 people found the following review helpful.
Kindle vs. Nook (updated 6/2/2011)
By Ron Cronovich
When I wrote this review last August, there was only one Nook, which is now called "Nook First Edition." It continues to be available, but there are two new Nooks. The Nook Color was introduced last fall - it's basically a tablet computer, and runs the Android software that is popular on many smartphones nowadays. It's twice as heavy and costs twice as much as a Kindle, but compared to other tablet computers, it is a very good value.

And now (early June 2011), a new e-ink based Nook is coming out. It's called the "Nook Simple Touch." It is just now starting to ship, so obviously I don't have one and can't tell you anything about it that you can't learn by reading online reviews. But the reviews are very favorable, so if you're considering a Kindle, you should take a look at the new Nook Simple Touch, too.

But the Kindle is nonetheless still a compelling option. It's a mature product, very well designed and easy to use, performance is very zippy, it's competitively priced, and no e-ink based reader has a better, more readable display than the Kindle, not even the new Nook Simple Touch. Also, the Kindle universe is quite extensive: the Kindle store is great and has many thousands of free e-books as well as good deals on most other e-books, and once purchased, you can read your Kindle books on nearly any device you own (computer, phone, tablet), not just your Kindle. And there are tons of great cases and other accessories for the Kindle.

So, while my review compares the Kindle to the older Nook, I'll leave it here because it has a ton of information about the Kindle, a great e-reader that deserves your attention, and because the original Nook continues to be available. That said, I urge you to NOT buy the original Nook. It was a respectable e-reader when it came out in 2009, and still had some value when I wrote about it in August 2010, but it is clearly inferior by today's standards.

------------ my original review --------------

If you're trying to choose between a Nook and a Kindle, perhaps I can help. My wife and I have owned a Nook (the original one), a Kindle 2, and a Kindle DX. When Amazon announced the Kindle 3 this summer, we pre-ordered two Kindle 3's: the wi-fi only model in graphite, and the wi-fi + 3G model in white. They arrived in late August and we have used them very regularly since then. For us, Kindle is better than Nook, but Nook is a good device with its own advantages that I will discuss below. I'll end this review with a few words about the Nook Color.

First, reasons why we prefer the Kindle:

* Speed

In our experience, the Kindle is very zippy compared to the Nook. Page refresh speed (the time it takes a new page to appear after you push the page-turn button) was WAY quicker on Kindle 2 than on Nook, and it's quicker yet on Kindle 3. Yet, I read a whole book on the Nook and didn't find the slower page refresh to be annoying - you get used to it, and it's not a problem.

For me, the more important speed difference concerns navigation - moving the cursor around the screen, for example to pick a book from your library, or to jump to a chapter by selecting it in the table of contents. On Kindle, you do this by pushing a 5-way rocker button, and the cursor moves very quickly. On Nook, you do this by activating the color LCD touchscreen (which normally shuts off when not in use, to conserve battery). A "virtual rocker button" appears on the screen, and you touch it to move the cursor. Unfortunately, the Nook cursor moves very sluggishly. This might not be a big deal to you, but it really got annoying to me, especially since my wife's Kindle was so quick and responsive.

In November 2010, Nook got a software upgrade that increases page refresh speed and makes navigation more responsive. I returned my Nook months ago, so I cannot tell you if the Nook's performance is now equal to the Kindle's, but Nook owners in the comments section have convinced me that the software update improves the experience of using the Nook. If performance is a big factor in your decision, visit a Best Buy and compare Kindle and Nook side by side.

* Screen contrast

You've seen Amazon's claims that the Kindle 3 e-ink has 50% better contrast than Kindle 2 or other e-ink devices. I have no way of precisely measuring the improvement in contrast, but I can tell you that the Kindle 3 display definitely has more contrast than Kindle 2 or Nook. The difference is noticeable, and important: more screen contrast means less eyestrain when reading in poorly lit rooms.

In well-lit rooms, the Nook and Kindle 2 have enough contrast to allow for comfortable reading. But I often read in low-light conditions, like in bed at night, or in a poorly lit room. In these situations, reading on Nook or Kindle 2 was a bit uncomfortable and often gave me a mild headache. When I got the Kindle 3, the extra contrast was immediately noticeable, and made it more comfortable to read under less-than-ideal lighting conditions. (If you go with a Nook, just make sure you have a good reading lamp nearby.)

* Battery life

The Nook's color LCD touch screen drains its battery quickly - I could never get more than 5 days out of a charge. The Kindle 2 had longer battery life than the Nook, and Kindle 3 has even longer life: in the 3 months since we received our Kindle 3's, we typically get 3 weeks of battery life between charges. (We keep wireless off about half the time to save battery power.)

* Weight

Nook weighs about 3 ounces more than the new Kindle, and you can really feel the difference. Without a case, Nook is still light enough to hold in one hand for long reading sessions without fatigue. But in a case, Nook is a heavy sucker. The new Kindle 3 is so light, even in a case, we find it comfortable holding in one hand for long reading sessions.

Reasons some people might prefer the Nook:

* In-store experience

If you need help with your nook, you can take it to any barnes and noble and get a real human to help. You can take your nook into the coffee shop section of your local B&N store and read any book for free for up to one hour per day. When you take your nook to B&N, some in-store special deals and the occasional free book pop up on your screen.

* User-replaceable battery

Rechargeable batteries eventually lose their ability to hold a charge. Nook's battery is user-replaceable and relatively inexpensive. To replace Kindle's battery, Amazon wants you to ship your Kindle to Amazon, and they will ship you back a DIFFERENT Kindle than the one you sent (it's the same model, for example if you send a white Kindle 3, you get a white Kindle 3 back, but you get a "refurbished" one, NOT the exact one you sent them). I don't like this at all.

However, several people have posted comments here that have eased my concerns. Someone looked up statistics on the Kindle's battery and did some simple calculations to show that it should last for 3 or more years. Before that happens, I will surely have upgraded to a newer Kindle model by then. Also, someone found some companies that sell Kindle batteries at reasonable cost and have how-to videos that demonstrate how we can replace the battery ourselves. Doing this would void the Kindle's warranty, but the battery will probably not fail until long after the warranty expires.

[update June 2011: The batteries in the Nook Color and Nook Simple Touch are not replaceable, but the battery in the original Nook is.]

* ePub

Nook uses the ePub format, a widely used open format. Amazon uses a proprietary ebook format. Many libraries will "lend" ebooks in the ePub format, which works with nook but not kindle. However, a free and reputable program called Calibre allows you to translate ebooks from one format to another - it supports many formats, including ePub and Kindle. The only catch is that it doesn't work with copy-protected ebooks, so you can't, for example, buy a Kindle book (which is copy protected) and translate it to ePub so you can read it on a Nook.

* Nook's color LCD touchscreen

The original Nook has a small color LCD screen on the bottom for navigation. This could be a pro or con, depending on your preferences. It makes the Nook hipper and less drab than Kindle. Some people enjoy using the color LCD to view their library or navigate. I did, at first. But after two weeks of use, and comparisons with my wife's Kindle, I found the dedicated buttons of the Kindle easier and far quicker to use than the Nook's color touchscreen. I also found the bright light from the color screen distracting when I was trying to read a book or newspaper (though when not in use, it shuts off after a minute or so to conserve battery).

* expandable capacity

Nook comes with 2GB of internal memory. If you need more capacity, you can insert a microSD card to add up to 16GB more memory. Kindle comes with 4GB of internal memory - twice as much as Nook - but there's no way to expand that. Kindle doesn't accept memory cards of any type. If you mainly use your device to read ebooks and newspapers, this shouldn't be an issue. I have over 100 books on my Kindle, and I've used only a tiny fraction of the memory. Once Kindle's memory fills up, just delete books you don't need immediate access to; you can always restore them later, in seconds, for free.

A few other notes:

Kindle and Nook have other features, such as an MP3 player and a web browser, but I caution you to have low expectations for these features. The MP3 player on the Kindle is like the first-generation iPod shuffle - you can't see what song is playing, and you can't navigate to other songs on your device. I don't like the browser on either device; e-ink is just not a good technology for surfing the web; it's slower and clunkier than LCD screen technology, so even the browser on an Android phone or iPod touch is more enjoyable to use. However, some commenters have more favorable views of either device's browser, and you might, too.

* ebook lending

If you have a Nook or a Kindle, you can "lend" an ebook you purchased to someone else with the same device for up to two weeks. The Nook has always had this feature. The Kindle just got this feature as of December 2010. Most but not all purchased ebooks are lendable, due to publisher restrictions.

* PDF support

Kindle and Nook both handle PDF files, but in different ways. When you put a PDF file on your nook, nook converts it into an ebook-like file, then you can adjust the font size, and the text and pagination will adjust just like with any ebook. But you cannot see the original PDF file in the native format in which it was created. Kindle 3 and Kindle DX have native support for PDF files. You can see PDF files just as they would appear on your computer. You can also convert PDF files to an ebook-like format, and then Kindle handles them just the way the Nook handles them - text and pagination adjust when you change the font size. Unfortunately, some symbols, equations, and graphics get lost or mangled in the translation - even when viewing PDF files in their native format on the Kindle. Moreover, the small screen size of the Kindle 3 and the Nook is not great for PDF files, most of which are designed for a larger page size. You can zoom and pan, but this is cumbersome and tiresome. Thanks to commenters who suggested viewing PDF files in landscape mode on the Kindle (I don't know if you can do this on Nook); this way, you can see the entire top half of the page without panning, and then scroll down to the bottom half. This works a little better.

SUMMARY:

Nook and Kindle each offer their own advantages. We like the nook's user-replaceable battery, compatibility with ePub format, and in-store experience. But we strongly prefer Kindle 3 because its performance is zippier, its higher-contrast screen is easier to read, and it's smaller and lighter so it is more portable and more comfortable to hold in one hand for long reading sessions.

* Nook Color

Everything I wrote about the Nook in this review applies to the original Nook (which continues to be available), not the new Nook Color. To me, the Nook Color is in a different product category than the Kindle or original Nook. Nook Color has an LCD screen, like an iPad or most computer monitors. That's a big disadvantage for people like me, who get headaches from reading a computer screen for long periods of time. Amazon's Kindle product page has an informative section on e-ink vs. LCD displays.

But many people don't have problems reading from computer screens, and the Nook Color is getting glowing reviews in the press and by owners. For the money, it offers a lot of functionality such as a good web browser and the ability to play games and watch movies. But keep in mind: it costs a lot more than the Kindle, it weighs nearly twice as much, it doesn't come in a 3G version, and (unlike the original Nook) the Nook Color doesn't have a user replaceable battery.

2087 of 2123 people found the following review helpful.
I Wanted a Dedicated E-Reader, and That's What I Got
By Matthew E. Coenen
I'm a first-time Kindle owner, so I have nothing to "compare" the latest Kindle to. I don't own a Nook. I don't own an iPad (and, in any case, that's comparing apples to oranges). I don't have a Sony e-reader. '

This will be a short, simple review.

I received my Kindle about a week ago and haven't been able to put it down.

Things I like about my Kindle?
1. The e-ink display is amazing.
2. Using the 5-way controller is simple and effective.
3. Page turn speeds are faster than I thought they would be.
4. It's lightweight, even with the attached cover (I have an Amazon cover with a built-in light)
5. Page-turning buttons are quiet and well-placed.
6. Recharge time is fast.
7. I can order a book and start reading it in less than 60 seconds. Nice!
8. Portability... I can take 3,000 books with me when I travel for work and not require additional suitcases or baggage fees.

Things I'm not too keen on?
1. Buttons are too close together and are laid out oddly.
2. Lack of individual number buttons is frustrating.
3. Power button on the bottom? Not a bad thing. Just an odd thing. (Same for the headphone input). I usually rest the "bottom" of a book on my lap when I read.

Things I hope change in the future?
1. How books are organized... When I put a book in a collection (which is actually a "tag"), it still appears in the main list. It's not actually "moved", it's merely associated.
2. The look of the main screen. I'd like "folders" or some other way to display "collections".
3. Ability to create personal "screen savers."
4. E-book pricing, though Amazon has little control over this. Still, most titles are the same price as or less than their hardback/paperback counterparts. (And I'm not opposed to paying more for convenience and portability).

Things that don't bother me regarding other reviews?
1. The browser is experimental. Amazon has created a dedicated e-reader, and it's meant to be used to read. Period. Not browse the web. If you want to browse the web, get a computer -- not an e-reader.
2. The Kindle is not an mP3 player, either. Yes, it's nice to have some classical music playing in the background while I read, but I don't need to see the title of the song, album art, etc. (And you can skip from track to track on the Kindle using shortcut keys).
3. Lack of a "color" or "touch" screen.

In summary, for $139, I'm quite thrilled with my purchase and have arleady read multiple books on it. In fact, I think I've read more in the past week than I've read in the past month.

1424 of 1449 people found the following review helpful.
A hesistant buyer rejoices on his choice
By Mr Goodwrench
I researched the purchase of a Kindle for a long time. I couldn't decide whether or not it was worth buying a dedicated e-reader. Boy am I glad I made this purchase. The downside to Amazon's online selling of Kindle 3 is that the customers don't get to see it in person. It is much better in person. This may sound stupid, but when I got my new Kindle, I thought there was a stuck-on overlay on the screen containing a diagram of the unit's buttons, etc. I actually tried to peel it off. Doh! The e-ink on this unit is THAT good. I didn't realize that I was staring at the actual display. I also didn't realize that no power is required until the display changes. (thus the great battery life) I do a lot of reading, but was facing the prospect of reading less or buying large type books because of my variable and deteriorating eyesight. The new Kindle has been a godsend. Now, I can decide the size of type I need depending on my level of fatigue among other things. The weight and ergonomics are very good. For someone, like me, with neuropathy in his hands, it is extremely easy to manage and enjoyable to own. To me, it is easier to read than print books. The ease of navigation is great as is the speed. The battery life, so far, has been extraordinary. It easily connected to our home Wi-Fi, which by design does not broadcast an SSID. It downloads books so fast that I almost thought they were not completely received. I did not buy the 3G version because of the price difference and the fact that there is no coverage where I live. If you are not constantly traveling, I don't see the need to spend the extra bucks, but that is a matter of personal choice. For those who have no Wi-Fi at home, remember that you can always download the material to your computer and transfer it via USB. Just today I was watching an interview with Tony Blair on TV. He was talking about his new book, which sounded interesting. I picked up the Kindle and downloaded a free sample before the interview was over. I have only read the preface so far, but will probably buy the book. Now THAT is a great way to buy a book! I haven't used online browsing extensively yet, but find it reasonable for what the device is. This is primarily a book reader, not a laptop or notebook. They are great for what they do, but can't match the e-ink display, or the light weight. For those of you worrying about the wait for the new Kindle, let me end with, "It is worth the wait" This new Kindle is all about the quality of experience. There are many format choices for electronic reading. If you want the best experience, go with the Kindle.

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Feeling a little stressed out about your debt situation? Feel like there is nowhere to turn to for help? Think again. There are millions of people out there who are pretty much in the same boat as you are. The good news is that there are organizations, publications and education made available to you, provided you take the time to search it out. One of the first things you can do to help pull yourself out of your debt situation is to find a bad credit repair guide.

What Type of Information is in a Bad Credit Repair Guide?

One the best ways to repair your credit is to pay down your debt as fast as possible and make timely payments. If you're one of those that have a bad credit history, a bad credit repaired guide will have many suggestions and tips on how you can do this. The guide may lead you to obtaining a credit card with a small balance available to you. You can make a small purchase and then proceed to make timely payments on your credit card, thus helping you restore your credit.

One of the things that a bad credit repair guide will tell you is that to re-establish your credit will take some time. There is no quick fix, so patience is required. Depending on your debt situation, it could take up to the year or more before you start to see some improvement in your credit score.

The guide will answer many of your questions with regards to your financial situation and give you some options on how to best handle it. One question that you may have is how to find a credit card with little or bad credit. Another question maybe, how can I get at a loan for a new or used car. That guide will give you pretty much all the answers you need in order to find a good rate on a car loan even if your credit rating absolutely sucks.

One of the most common questions that most people ask, is how can I get a home mortgage loan if I have really bad credit or no credit at all. A bad credit repair guide can point you towards lenders that will take a chance with a bad credit history. The drawback is that, you'll probably have to pay a higher rate of interest.

A good guide will teach you how to receive your credit score absolutely free of charge and advise you on how you can repair and establish your credit score. Thus making you more attractive to various lenders, and as a result, put more money your pocket each month.

Insiders Guide Credit Repair

Inside Secrets from a Credit Industry Professional

There are a plethora of books out there promising to show consumers how to repair their credit. There is only one that explains how to establish credit, how to maintain and manage it, and, yes, how to fix it when it’s broken— The Insider’s Guide to Credit Repair.

This much-needed book is current, cohesive, and thorough. It begins with the basics-defining credit, explaining its value to consumers and businesses, and introducing the key parties that keep the process successfully operating—but then covers more complex topics, including credit laws, credit scoring, credit repair and identity theft. Most noteworthy and helpful are the short quizzes after each chapter, a comprehensive glossary, and a wide variety of sample letters.

The Insider’s Guide to Credit Repair is an engaging and thought-provoking discussion of consumer credit from an insider’s perspective—the author is a former instructor for one of the national credit-reporting agencies. The scope of the material is as vast as the author’s industry experience, accommodating the beginner trying to establish credit for the first time and more experienced consumers seeking greater knowledge of all aspects of credit.

K.E. Varner is a former instructor of customer-service personnel for Equifax, one of the three major credit-reporting agencies. During his tenure, he functioned as a subject matter expert in a number of high-level business projects, appeared in Federal court to help resolve consumer/credit-reporting agency conflict, and facilitated credit industry information to organizations such as the Atlanta Housing Authority.

Insiders Guide Credit Repair Picture

Insiders Guide Credit Repair Picture

Insiders Guide Credit Repair Pic

Insiders Guide Credit Repair Picture

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43 of 45 people found the following review helpful.
This Is The Only Credit Guide You Need
By Eric Gibbs
I read this book and was amazed by the amount of information it gave. This author hits every area of credit that people need help with. Everything from credit scores to id theft is covered here and in great detail. It even gives little quizes at the end of each chapter to help you retain the info. The best part is that the chapters are so well segmented that you can just flip to the area you need help with and go from there.

See all 6 customer reviews...

Feeling a little stressed out about your debt situation? Feel like there is nowhere to turn to for help? Think again. There are millions of people out there who are pretty much in the same boat as you are. The good news is that there are organizations, publications and education made available to you, provided you take the time to search it out. One of the first things you can do to help pull yourself out of your debt situation is to find a bad credit repair guide.

What Type of Information is in a Bad Credit Repair Guide?

One the best ways to repair your credit is to pay down your debt as fast as possible and make timely payments. If you're one of those that have a bad credit history, a bad credit repaired guide will have many suggestions and tips on how you can do this. The guide may lead you to obtaining a credit card with a small balance available to you. You can make a small purchase and then proceed to make timely payments on your credit card, thus helping you restore your credit.

One of the things that a bad credit repair guide will tell you is that to re-establish your credit will take some time. There is no quick fix, so patience is required. Depending on your debt situation, it could take up to the year or more before you start to see some improvement in your credit score.

The guide will answer many of your questions with regards to your financial situation and give you some options on how to best handle it. One question that you may have is how to find a credit card with little or bad credit. Another question maybe, how can I get at a loan for a new or used car. That guide will give you pretty much all the answers you need in order to find a good rate on a car loan even if your credit rating absolutely sucks.

One of the most common questions that most people ask, is how can I get a home mortgage loan if I have really bad credit or no credit at all. A bad credit repair guide can point you towards lenders that will take a chance with a bad credit history. The drawback is that, you'll probably have to pay a higher rate of interest.

A good guide will teach you how to receive your credit score absolutely free of charge and advise you on how you can repair and establish your credit score. Thus making you more attractive to various lenders, and as a result, put more money your pocket each month.

Pocket Idiots Guide Repairing Credit

When bad credit happens to good people.

Once someoneÂ’s personal financial credit goes bad, it can be a difficult process to bring it back into good standing. This guide shows consumers how to repair their credit, increase their credit score, and avoid falling victim to the instant credit repair industry and its fraudulent claims and scams.

• Research by the Federal Reserve indicates that household debt and personal bankruptcy filings are at record high levels
• Only book on the shelves to include coverage of the The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act, which goes into effect 12/1/2004
• Author has been featured in Money, Family Circle, and Women’s Day, and has appeared on CNBC and CNN

About the AuthorEdie Milligan, CFP, CLU, AFC, is a full-time writer and speaker on personal finance topics. She has 20 years of experience helping individuals identify and overcome financial challenges, and has helped thousands of professionals bring positive financial counseling skills to their practices.

Pocket Idiots Guide Repairing Credit Picture

Pocket Idiots Guide Repairing Credit Pic

Pocket Idiots Guide Repairing Credit Image

Pocket Idiots Guide Repairing Credit Image

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent introduction to credit repair but outdated
By anonymous
This is an excellent introduction to credit repair but the information is highly condensed. The website recommendation for secured credit cards is out of date, as the website cited does not list any such cards. A great book if you have little time to study the subject in depth. It covers most of the basics of credit and getting out of debt.

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Credit score is like health - most people don't think about it until it becomes a problem. Just as the current state of your health mirrors the health habits you have followed over a longer period of time, so your credit score reflects your credit history. It means that building a high credit score takes time (although there are some shortcuts) and maintaining it is a continuous process. In this article, you'll find 5 ways to increase credit score and ensure you get good interest rates whenever you need credit.

Before talking about the details on how to increase credit score, there are some basics you need to know. Credit score, or FICO score (the most commonly used credit score, created by the Fair Isaac Corp.), is a number ranging from 300 to 850 which is calculated with a mathematical model, using the information in your credit report. The number shows the lender the likelihood of you paying back the loan on time. The higher the score, the less risky it is for the lender to give you a loan and the better interest rate you are offered. If your credit score is 700 and above, you're likely to get the best interest rates available. A bad credit score not only may cost you thousands of dollars in high interest rates - if your credit score is in a really bad shape (e.g. below 500), you may not qualify for a loan at all.

To sum up - in order to get credit and good interest rates, you need to have a high credit score! Below you can read 5 important tips on how to increase credit score and keep it high.

1. Pay your bills on time. That's the first advice you'll get when you're looking for ways to increase credit score. This tip seems really simple and obvious, but still many people underestimate its importance. What lenders want to know the most is if and how timely you have paid your bills in the past. That's why 35% of the credit score is based on your credit history. Delinquent payments and collections can severely damage your score. The more recent your payment problems are, the worse. So, in order to increase your credit score, start paying bills on time right now, and your score may already be higher after a month.

2. Keep your credit card balances low. High outstanding debt may reduce your score. If you max out your credit cards, your score may be lowered even by 70 points. Instead of having one card close to being maxed out, transfer the balance from this card to a few other cards, so you can keep your credit card balances at or below 25% of your credit limits. Paying off debt is even a better way to increase credit score, so if possible, do this, but...

3. Don't close paid-off accounts! Closing old accounts reduces your total available credit, which in turn changes your utilization ratio (the amount of your total debt divided by your total available credit). This may lower your score. Shutting down your oldest credit accounts shortens your credit history, which also makes you seem less credit worthy, therefore your score can drop.

4. Get a small loan. In order to qualify for a bigger loan (e.g. mortgage loan) in the future, you have to establish a credit history. If you have little or no credit score, and you prefer to avoid credit cards, acquiring debt is a quick way to start raising your credit score. After all - if you have no debt, how can you show the potential lenders that you are a good borrower, who pays the bills on time? Of course, you have to use this method of building credit score wisely - excessive debt load and a bunch of small loans may backfire.

5. Do your interest shopping within two-week periods. Each time you apply for a loan and the lender accesses your credit report, your credit score is lowered by 3 points. When trying to find the best interest rate for a loan, keep your loan processes within a focused period of time. This way, all your credit report inquiries are accumulated and will be treated as one single request, when your credit score is calculated.

These are five important things you have to consider if you want to increase credit score and maintain it. Although these methods are substantial in helping to achieve your goal, there are lots of additional tricks to discover...

Increase Your Credit Score Ebook

K. Patrice Williams is also the author of 6 Simple Steps to Avoid Foreclosure. She offers practical legal strategies for increasing your FICO score and improving your credit history going forward. She points out the too-good-to-be-true credit repair agencies you should avoid, and offers real credit repair techniques and alternatives that work-right now! While in her first year of Law School, Patrice established a real estate development and consulting business were she acquired over 30 rental properties. Since then, Patrice has helped thousands of Real Estate Investors, Homebuyers and Credit Repair Consultants increase their credit. Included are Budgeting Worksheets, Debt Negotiating Techniques and Law that Protects you from creditors..... everything you need to guide you through the nerve-wrecking process of improving your credit. Her goal is to educate as much of the public as possible using legal techniques that work. Lets face it, we've all had credit problems, let her show you techiques to: * Get out of debt now! * Create a realistic budget * Build a financial cushion * Understand your credit report * Get mistakes on your credit report fixed * Avoid identity theft * Get positive information added to your credit report * Dispute wrong, inaccurate and negative credit information

About the AuthorK. Patrice Williams holds a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from San Francisco Law School and B.A. in Economics from Sonoma State University. Patrice Williams is not only an Author but a Motivational Speaker, Consultant and Voice Over specialist. While in her first year of Law School, Patrice established a real estate development and consulting business where she acquired over 30 rental properties. Patrice has helped thousands of Real Estate Investors, Homebuyers and Credit Repair Consultants increase their credit scores. Her goal is to educate as much of the public as possible using the same legal techniques that work. This accomplished author has been published by Myles Publishing Company within The Simple Series(tm) line of self-help, information rich, e-books, workbooks, CD's and DVD's.

Increase Your Credit Score Ebook Image

Increase Your Credit Score Ebook Photo

Increase Your Credit Score Ebook Pic

Increase Your Credit Score Ebook Picture

YES... there is life after bankruptcy! Bankruptcy is not the way to go if there is any chance at all of avoiding it. But if there is no other way out, it is not the end of the world for you.

After the shock wears off it's time to sit down and take a good look at where you are and formulate a plan to re-build your credit. It isn't as hard as you may think if you understand the credit system and work with it... not against it.

As for where you are now, realize your credit scores are shot with a bankruptcy on your record. You scores are probably somewhere around 450 to 490 points, which is definitely not good.

But wait, there really is life after bankruptcy! The good news is you have no debts now and the slate is clean. This is the time to start fresh and build a positive credit history from the ground up. By setting a goal for yourself, and following some credit restoration guidelines, you can be at a 720+ credit score in 12 months or less.

Here's How it's Done

The way you rebuild credit is by using credit (wisely and responsibly). You will find a multitude of lenders that want to work with you (even with your horrible credit scores) to help you re-build your credit.

Keep These Points in Mind

As you work your credit rebuilding plan with these new lenders, keep this in mind; lenders place the most weight on your current history. They know you had trouble in the past, but they want to see how you are handling your credit responsibilities now.

Here is a Seven Step Credit Re-building Plan to Follow:

1. You need a budget so you can make intelligent decisions about how to go about re-building your credit. Be sure to allow for monthly payments for new credit debt. You must go into debt in order to build a good history of responsible credit management.

2. Open one or two secured credit card accounts. Secured credit cards are the easiest to open and are reported to the credit bureaus. You determine the credit limit on the cards by making a deposit with the credit card company. Your deposit is your credit limit. After a 6 to 12 month solid history of use with the card, you can ask for your deposit back and the card will revert to a regular un-secured card.

3. Don't pay off the balance every month. Your goal is to build a solid payment history of timely monthly payments. It's better for your credit scores if you always leave a balance on the card, even if it's small.

4. Never, never, ever close a credit card account. One measure used in determining credit scores is your debt to high balance ratio. Lenders want to see 35% or less debt to limit ratio. If you have a card with a limit of $1,000, and your balance is $850, your debt to limit ratio is 85% ($850 divided by $1,000). But if you had another card also, with a $5,000 limit and a zero balance, your total debt would be $850 and your total high limit available credit would be $6,000 ($1,000 plus $5,000). Your total debt to high limit ratio would then be 14% ($850 divided by $6,000). If you had previously closed your un-used card with the $5,000 limit, instead of a 14% ratio, you would be looking really bad with an 85% debt to limit ratio.

5. Open different kinds of credit lines. The more different types of credit you have, the more responsible you appear to credit bureaus. Someone with a credit card or two, a department store credit line, an auto loan, a bank loan, and a mortgage payment shows they are able to handle various types of credit responsibly. Don't limit yourself to just credit cards. You can get a secured bank loan as a way to build more credit, by opening a savings account with the bank, then borrowing up to that amount. The savings account is security for the loan, so the bank has no risk and is happy to make the loan.

6. Keep your debt-to-income ratios at 28/36 or less.

28/36 RATIO EXPLAINED

The 28/36 ratio is the ratio the majority of lenders work with when you apply for mortgage financing. Even though you are not applying for a mortgage loan now, that ratio makes a good guideline to follow to keep you in line budget wise, and to measure your progress. If you see yourself straying from the 28/36 ratio, you know what you have to do to get back in line.

The 28 means that your monthly housing payments (rent payment or mortgage plus taxes & insurance) should be no more than 28% of your gross monthly income. The 36 means the percentage of income that goes toward paying all your recurring debt payments, (including your housing expense). This would include credit card payments, car loans, student loans, child support payments, judgments, and/or alimony payments.

FOR EXAMPLE. If your gross monthly income (before deductions) is $3,930.00 per month

• $3,930 Monthly Income x 28% = $1,100 allowed for housing expense.
• $3,930 Monthly Income x 36% = $1,415 allowed for housing expense plus all recurring monthly debt payments. (315 allowed for new credit debt).

NOTE: The ratio used by FHA is 31/43. You could use this ratio if you prefer.

• $3,930 Monthly Income x 31% = $1,218 allowed for housing expense.
• $3,930 Monthly Income x 43% = $1,690 allowed for housing expense plus all recurring monthly debt payments. (472 allowed for new credit debt).

7. Never take on more debt than you can handle comfortably. This is why a budget is so important. The goal is to rebuild your credit, not to bury you in debt in can't handle. Be careful to not get over extended. Always leave a cushion for savings and emergencies. Be wise!

Bankruptcy is not the way to go if there is any chance at all of avoiding it But if there is no other way out, it is not the end of the world for you. And yes... there is life after bankruptcy.

7 Steps 720 Credit Score

Learn the seven little-known rules of credit-----and turn even POOR credit into GREAT credit and into an opportunity to SAVE hundreds of dollars EVERY SINGLE month!

7 Steps 720 Credit Score Photo

7 Steps 720 Credit Score Picture

7 Steps 720 Credit Score Picture

7 Steps 720 Credit Score Photo

Change is Natural

Everything changes. No industry stands still. Henry Ford's Model T was revolutionary, and opened the eyes of the world to new possibilities. But by today's standards, the Model T, as important as it once was, has its place only in the past. Virtually every aspect of the early model automobile has been improved on, far beyond what Henry Ford could have imagined in his day.

The Changing Credit Repair Industry

The Internet has grown into a vibrant worldwide business community. In this environment competition thrives and new ideas come to life at amazing speed. New participants have entered the credit repair arena and brought fresh life to the business. Some older members have updated their methods; while others, perhaps top heavy with technology, continue to stand their ground even as the earth shifts beneath their feet.

The New Breed Appears

From this dynamic mix has appeared a new breed, the true credit repair professional. This new breed has a true mastery of the craft, and an impressive arsenal of tools capable of delivering results beyond the imagination of the early pioneers in the industry. Everything about the business is changing. And the changes involve you.

Credit and Your Life

There is nothing as important to your financial life as your credit. The content of your credit report, along with your credit scores, will determine the interest rate you pay on everything from your credit cards to your mortgage. The impact of your credit on your life can be staggering, and should not be taken lightly. The word is out.

The Problem of Errors

The three major credit bureaus maintain credit files on over 200 million Americans. A staggering amount of data moves through the credit reporting system. Errors are common and can translate into enormous costs for consumers; and yet, in a terrible percentage of cases these errors go unrecognized. This phenomenon is more damaging than you might think. Identifying errors on your report involves more than just spotting unfamiliar account information. The majority of credit report errors are compliance violations that you will not find without training.

FICO, A Lack of Understanding

Lenders base their underwriting decisions on the content of your credit report along with the numeric value of your FICO scores. These FICO scores have a major affect on your life, and yet few people have any knowledge of how they work. Here again, a lack of understanding results in a huge cost. A well-informed reshaping of your credit may have a dramatic impact on your credit scores. Even simple changes can bring major improvement, yet without proper information this potential remains untapped.

The Credit Repair Professional

The prevalence of credit reporting errors, coupled with a lack of understanding of FICO scores, result in a terrible cost to consumers, often having the greatest impact on those who can afford it the least. The credit repair professional provides an important, and often life changing, service by assisting in the identification and removal of credit reporting errors. In addition, a credit repair professional is a conduit for information about legal rights, rehabilitation opportunities, and credit restoration tools that can be employed to your benefit.

The Results You Need

The goal of a credit repair professional is to improve your credit. Along with the skillful identification and removal of reporting errors, the process may include specific recommendations for building new credit, managing existing debt, rehabilitating defaulted obligations, and handling collectors. All of this must take place within the context of optimizing your credit scores. The credit repair professional operates in a fiduciary capacity and will utilize the widest range of tools to insure quick and lasting results.

Personal Service

You are unique, and so is your credit. There is no generic approach to credit repair that will do you justice. No credit repair software has the ability to spot the compliance errors on your credit report, or to determine the proper balance of accounts to optimize your credit scores, or to help you determine the right approach to take with an active collector. There is no one-dimensional credit repair program that will produce the results you deserve. True professional credit repair is about personal service. You cannot afford to settle for less.

What it Means to You

The credit repair professional will make sure that everything possible is done to help you reach your goals. The professional approach to credit repair can mean everything to you. Do you want real results? Do your want to see your scores improve? Do you want your credit to meet or exceed lenders requirements? Wait until you experience what a real professional can do for you!

Copyright © 2007 James W. Kemish. All Content. All Rights Reserved.

Real Credit Repair Way Professionals

Your credit score affects every aspect of your life including qualifying for mortgages, the interest rates you will pay, your ability to rent, and get a job. Repairing your credit is one of the most important financial decisions you will make. You're about to take the important step of taking control of your credit future! Everything you need to do you can do for yourself at little or no cost using this book. The laws are on your side. This book will show you how to use your legal rights to increase your credit score. You will learn how to remove questionable items from YOUR credit reports, including: late payments, collections, judgments, liens, charge offs, bankruptcies, foreclosures, repossessions, and more. This book will be your credit road map providing guidance to building a stronger credit profile, repairing bad credit, improving your credit scores, and protecting your personal information. A comprehensive credit repair guide 371 pages by Lee Clukey & Mark Darner

Real Credit Repair Way Professionals Image

Real Credit Repair Way Professionals Image

Real Credit Repair Way Professionals Pic

Real Credit Repair Way Professionals Pic