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Know your financesBelow is information to get you started in being smart about your money. Many people especially women do not even know how to go about asking for information. By calling these numbers and following the subheadings, you can at least find out what your credit report says. This information is compliments of Ann Tardy. Her web site is http://www.lifemoxie.com
Credit Card Information
Places to find long-lasting, low-rate and "teaser" deals:
Bankrate.com (http://www.bankrate.com)
CardWeb (http://www.cardweb.com)
Consumer Action (http://www.consumer-action.org) (800) 344-7714
Also check with credit unions and local banks
For Women ONLY:
http://www.wife.com
http://www.makingbread.com
For everyone:
How to get a copy of your credit report: 3 major credit bureaus
Equifax (http://www.equifax.com) 800-685-1111
Experian http://(www.experian.com) 888-397-3742
Trans Union (http://www.tuc.com) 800-888-4213
Cost ~ $8.00
Credit Scoring reported on 3 different credit reports
Equifax – called "Fair Isaac Risk Score"
Experian – called "Beacon Score"
Trans Union – called "Empirica Score"
FICO Score – Fair Isaac Company (FICO)
See http://www.fairisaac.com for more details
Check your FICO score: www.myfico.com or www.equifax.com
Cost is ~ $12.95 and includes copy of credit report
Scores range from 350-900 – the higher the better
FICO score of 650 or higher for approval for loan/line of credit
FICO scores lowered if:
Bankruptcy
History of late payments
Too many credit cards maxed out
Too skimpy a credit history
Too many credit report inquiries from potential lenders
Discuss
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