Services
Credit Counseling
Visit debtadvice.org to begin your search for a nonprofit credit counseling agency. This web site is provided by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. The NFCC sets guidelines for fees that member agencies can charge consumers and requires agencies to provide services free of charge if a consumer can’t afford to pay. To find member agencies click on “Find a Counselor”.
Credit Cards
Visit BillShrink to get a recommendation on a credit card plan that best meets your individual needs. Answer a couple of questions regarding your spending habits, credit score and existing credit card balances. Then let the site do all the work to compare credit card plans and give you the best matches based on rewards, lower fees and interest rates.
Visit RateSurfer to get alerts on when rates change on your credit card accounts. You can even let the web site move your balances among your accounts to make sure you’re paying the least amount of interest.
Visit NerdWallet to find the best credit card for you. NerdWallet searches through 400 cards to find the best one for you. Enter the amount you generally charge each month, what kinds of things you buy, and your estimated credit score. You’ll get a list of cards that will maximize your rewards. You can also search for the best low-rate or balance-transfer cards. You can filter results by the kind of rewards you prefer (e.g. airline miles, cash back, etc.).
Information
Debt Assessment
Do a debt assessment: 1) measure your debt, 2) debt-to-income ratio calculator, 3) budget worksheet and calculator and 4) reduce expenses – by using the Debt Assessment tool provided by Mastercard.
Credit Score
Visit Credit.com for a free credit score. Click on the Credit Report Card and answer a few questions. The site will pull your credit report (a “soft” inquiry that doesn’t hurt your rating) and give you a grade of A+ through F on each relevant factor, plus tips on how to improve. Keep in mind that you don’t get your exact credit score, just a range where you fall. (If you want a hard number, buy it for $15 at Myfico.com.)
Visit CreditKarma.com to get your free credit score from credit reporting companies and see how various actions will affect your score.
Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit score from credit reporting companies.
Credit Report
Visit annualcreditreport.com to get your free credit report three times each year.
Related Activities and Side Trips
- Credit Card Debt Management
- Credit Counseling for Debt Relief
- Debt Solutions – Buyer Beware
- Employment Resources
- Free Credit Report
- How to Control Debt Starts With a Check on Your Credit Score
- Paying Off Debt When You Get a Credit Card Rate Increase
- Savings Account, Checking Account, Credit Card Strategy
