I was on a well respected credit website today reading their recent blog and I was blown away by the misinformation they were giving about the pros and cons of filing bankruptcy. Having gone through a bankruptcy personally and having counseled hundreds of clients who have filed a bankruptcy, I can tell you that bankruptcy is not the kiss of death for your credit. While I am not an advocate of people running out and filing bankruptcy without careful consideration, I am advocate for truth.

I often wonder when I see an anti-bankruptcy campaign whose interest is really being considered. Credit card companies will do all they can to have you believe bankruptcy is a horrible thing and you are a horrible person for filing. Consumer credit reporting agencies TransUnion, Equifax, Experian (The Big Three) would have you believe the same.
Why? Obviously the credit card companies want to you pay up, not only what you owe but all of the extras they tack on. I’ve seen a $300 credit card become an over $1000 collection. So why do The Big Three want to avoid bankruptcy? Because they make money every time your account gets sold to another collection agency. And, the worse your credit score the more money they make.

Ok, I know what you are thinking… Victoria, people should take responsibility and pay what they owe. I could not agree with you more. But, what do you tell the family who never missed a payment until the major wage earner was stricken with cancer and the insurance company stopped paying? The number one cause of bankruptcy is…You guessed it – medical bills. And, yes doctors deserved to be paid. The problem is that often doctors will not set up payment arrangements. So good people end up filing bankruptcy.

Now to debunk bankruptcy myths:

Myth 1: A bankruptcy will affect your credit score for 10 years.
Truth: While bankruptcy may stay on your credit report for 10 years (chapter 7 only), your credit score will not be affected for the entire 10 years. With proper reestablishment of credit your score will begin to recover quickly.

Myth 2: Filing a bankruptcy will lower your score to the 500′s.
Truth: If you are not paying your credit cards and have maxed them out. Your credit score is more than likely already in the 500′s.

Myth 3: Accounts included in a bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for 7 years.
Truth: Seven years is a MAXIMUM not a MINIMUM amount of time an account included in bankruptcy may remain on a credit report.

Myth 4: You will not be able to get a good mortgage rate for 5 years after bankruptcy.
Truth: Many consumers can qualify for an FHA (federally backed mortgage) 2 years after bankruptcy with very attractive rates. Three years if a home was involved in the bankruptcy.

Myth 5: Employment and insurance can be severely affected after a bankruptcy.
Truth: The impact on insurance is typically much less than the interest, fees, and late charges charged by credit card companies. And, under United States Bankruptcy Code an employer can not discriminate against you for filing bankruptcy. However, they can and most likely will for judgments, late pays, and multiple collections.

As I said before, I am not an advocate of people running out filing bankruptcy. If you are contemplating filing bankruptcy, make sure you weigh all of your options.

I have spent almost two decades empowering my clients financially through credit education. If you have filed bankruptcy and need help re building your financial life, call me at 317-527-1440. I am here to help.

Tags: banking, bankruptcy, business, checking, collections, credit, Credit Education, credit score, Credit Scoring, credit tip, debt collection, Fair Credit Reporting Act, FICO, FICO.credit, money, Money Tips, Real estate

According to CNNmoney.com,  Adjustable Rate Mortgages, also known as ARMS are coming back. Adjustable rate mortgages accounted for nearly 70% of all mortgages during the housing boom. ARMs disappeared after the bust,  accounting for only 3% of the market in 2009.  Now, they make up 5% of all mortgages issued.  Freddie Mac predicts an increase to 10% in December.

No doubt that a 5/1 Arm can save homeowners considerably, I still think it’s a bad idea. The sales pitch is the same.  “This is a great deal for anyone not planning to stay in their home.” “You can get a lower interest rate.” Currently, a 30 year fixed mortgage is at 5% while a 5/1 ARM is at 3.5%.  On a $200,000 house that’s a savings of over $10,000 over the 5 year term.

As a former loan officer,  I could see the value of ARM products if home buyers were planning to stay in a home for only  seven or eight years. The difference – As a Consumer Credit Expert, I always made sure my clients knew the risks.

I asked my clients the hard questions:

What would happen if you lost your job and could not move or refinance, would you be able to handle a mortgage payment that could be $500 more than  you’re paying under the ARM?

What happened if something happened to your credit and you could not refinance?

If you find yourself in front of a  loan officer pushing an ARM, ask yourself. What happens if I can’t move or refinance when the ARM comes due? Do not be lured by short term savings.

As a Consumer Credit Expert, I educate consumers on the pitfalls of credit mistakes. Credit is important, and we can help you understand it.

Call us with your credit questions 317-527-1440

As a Credit Expert, I regularly give seminars on credit scoring. My goal is to provide resources and knowledge that empowers my clients financially through credit education.

One of those resources that I recommend is Credit Karma. It is common knowledge that having amount of credit helps to optimize your credit score. But, it is a mystery to most consumers on the right mix. Credit Karma helps to relieve that mystery.

Credit Karma is powered by Trans Union. The site provides consumers with their Trans Union credit score at no cost. Really! No Cost – No Gimmicks! In addition, Credit Karma provides score simulators in which consumers can put in different values to determine the affects of paying off or down their credit cards. The simulator will also allow consumers to see how opening new credit will affect their Trans Union credit score.

All is all I believe Credit Karma is a good resource for consumers. Just keep in mind it is just a resource. It does not address Equifax or Experian scores. If you would like more detailed assistance, contact us via email at info@intcredit.net or via phone at 317-527-1440.

Tags: banking, budget, business, checking, credit, Credit Education, credit inquiries, credit score, Credit Scoring, credit tip, dominate your destiny, entreprenuership, Money Tips, saving, Wealth

According to FICO the creator of our current credit scoring model, maxing out credit cards can reduce you credit score by as much as 45 points.

Tags: credit, Credit Education, Credit Scoring, credit tip, Empowerment, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, FICO, FICO score, finance, home purchase, money, Money Tips, Wealth

Lenders often check your FICO score before deciding to lend you money. Consequently, when you check your credit report, you may see that inquiry listed.

Whether an inquiry affects your FICO score depends on several factors, such as the type of credit you applied for and the number of inquiries you already initiated within the past year.

For example, your score will ignore mortgage, auto, and student loan inquiries made in the 30 days prior to scoring.

Tags: Credit Education, credit inquiries, credit score, FICO score, FICO.credit

Today on  the Transform Your Credit From Good to Great show, Co-Host Jeff Dalverny and I spoke with special guest Scott Doerhman of  The Finance Coach in a episode called Taking Control of Your Money.

There were several nuggets from the show that I thought were very important.

1. Families need to budget monthly not yearly and divide by 12. Each month your needs change. For example, some months children are out of school and usually requires more food to be brought into the home.
2. Put your budget on paper. By writing down your budget, adjustments can be made if necessary.
3. Look at your cash flow. Many people do not know how much they actually make and/or  bring home monthly.
4. Have a goal. Studies show that when we have set goals and we write down our goals we are more likely to achieve them.

I also promised the link regarding Parents’ 5 other card choices for college-age children. Click here to read the article in full posted on creditcards.com.

For more information contact The Finance Coach at 317-858-7270 or call Integrated Credit Specialists LLC at 317-527-1440.

Tags: budget, business, credit, Credit Education, debt collection, finance, money, Money Tips, saving, savings, small business

It is not wise to make credit decisions based upon your credit score. Base any credit decision on the following:

1. Your overall financial situation
2. Your need for the account
3. Your ability to repay the debt

If you make the right decision based upon the above criteria, your credit score will take care of itself.

Tags: banking, budget, business, credit, Credit Education, Credit Scoring, credit tip, finance, money, Money Tips, savings

Past delinquencies make up 35% of your credit score. Obviously paying your bills in full and on time will have the greatest positive affect on your credit score. The credit scoring model looks at the level of delinquency. For example a judgment will have a greater negative impact on your score than a collection. Always try to avoid  public records such as bankruptcy, tax liens, and judgments.

Also, activity in the last 24 months has the greatest affect on your score. When looking a credit repair strategies concentrate on activity in the last 24 months first. Pay off collections in Escrow NOT before. By paying an old collection you will make it new again because the date of last activity will change.

If you would like to learn more about credit scoring  and how past delinquencies affect your credit score, please contact us at info@intcredit.net.

Tags: banking, budget, collections, credit, Credit Education, Credit Scoring, credit tip, debt collection, Fair Credit Reporting Act, finance, money, Money Tips, savings