Sometimes, those tiny pieces of plastic can get you into trouble. Sometimes, the easiest way to buy that sweater or piece of furniture you've been eyeing for months is to just pull out your credit card and pay for it. And who hasn't been told by the cashier that if they sign up for a credit card, they can save 15% on their purchase? Offers for credit cards are everywhere, and they come in the mail almost every week.
Many Americans got into trouble with their credit by...
Sometimes, those tiny pieces of plastic can get you into trouble. Sometimes, the easiest way to buy that sweater or piece of furniture you've been eyeing for months is to just pull out your credit card and pay for it. And who hasn't been told by the cashier that if they sign up for a credit card, they can save 15% on their purchase? Offers for credit cards are everywhere, and they come in the mail almost every week.
Because credit cards are so easy to get, many Americans have messed up their credit. But you shouldn't take bad credit lightly. If you have bad credit, it can be hard to get a loan for a house or a car. When you're having trouble with your credit, one of the first things you should do is get rid of as many credit cards as you can. They are too tempting, so get rid of them. You can get your good credit back with a plan and some time. Just take things step by step. If you can't pay your bills, talk to your creditors and see if you can come to a deal with them about how much you owe. Tell them you are having trouble and will try to pay them as best you can. Don't give them the chance to give it to someone who collects debts.
Talk to a credit counselling office in your area. Many of them are not-for-profit and have helped people with their finances as their job. Check to see if combining your debts at a lower interest rate could help. You might want to get a second mortgage or a line of credit against the value of your home. But before you work with a group that says it can help, you should be sure and find out more about them. The last thing you need is to get involved with a group that will use your situation to make money.
Try to pay off the small debts first. This will make you feel better about yourself. So, you'll know you're making some progress toward getting your credit back on track.
Try to change your way of thinking about credit cards. Think of them as cash and ask yourself if you will be able to pay off your purchase in a few months. Think for a second: do I really need this right now, or am I just wanting it?
Don't give up. That's the most important thing to remember. Do not feel bad about yourself because there is a way to get back on track and fix your credit.
