dwaindaddy asked:


I am thinking about allowing a credit counseling service (Take Charge America) to consolidate all my unsecured credit. Will this help or hurt my credit rating once I complete the program in about 3.5 years?

Vernon

honey asked:


I checked my credit report, and was suprised to see that I have a $32.00 account in collections. The account was set up in August and I have yet to hear from any collection agency. I was shocked, as I paid this bill on the day of service and again a few months later. I never heard anything from them again, via paper bill or phone call after I paid, so I assumed the account was taken care of. Now its in collections, and my credit is down to fair and in the 600s’!! I’m trying to despute this whole thing and possibly pay the $32.00, once again to try at least get the account closed. If I can’t prove that I paid and it stays on my record, how long will it take for my credit to go back up to above 700? I have good credit habits otherwise, and I have 11 accounts with a perfect payment history according to the report. I was planning on buying a house in about 5 years, and want to be able to get the rate I deserve with my otherwise perfect credit history.
This account is for a doctors office visit, in which I paid cash for, but they have no record of my payment.

My 11 accounts are student loans, many of which have less than $1,000.
Spending more than my income is not the problem here! It’s pure clerical error. I live on 50% of my take-home pay. The remaining goes toward student loans. I put myself through college, and that debt was necessary and an investment in my future.

Dawn

yage v asked:


Credit cards are becoming more and more picky about extending credit, and the interest rates are through the roof. What are some other ways I can establish solid credit without a credit card or major expenses? I go to college full time and work full time, I don’t want to get into heavy debt.

Janet