Credit Coaching by Kristi

How can you win a game that you don't know the rules of? Learn how to play the credit reporting bureau's games by knowing some basics. Questions@creditkristi.com

Let's talk about the money beliefs which creates our habits which creates our predicaments! Where we find ourselves with our credit and money situation is often a result of what we believe to be true. But what if, just what if what we believe isn't actually fully true? What if those beliefs were someone else's beliefs and you aren't meant to keep them. Let's talk about it. Ques...

If you have looked into credit repair, you have likely come across (or even worked with) Lexington Law and CreditRepair.com. I believe Lexington Law is the largest credit repair company in the nation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a lawsuit against them and some major changes are unfolding (not to mention large sums of money on the table due to false statements made by Lexington to...

Have you applied for a loan or a credit card and were declined? Wonder what to do now? What happens with that information? Who knows about this besides you and the creditor? Is it reported someplace that will come back to haunt you? I remember all of those fears and thoughts when I have been declined before and I know exactly how (crappy) it feels. Listen in to learn what you need to know if you h...

Hi friends! It's our anniversary! 3 Years today launched this podcast! And this is the 99th episode- so THANK YOU! for being part of this journey. I hope this information has helped you have a better understanding of credit. Would you please provide a great review if I have helped teach you something new, maybe share what you like (so I do more of it each episode!). Appreciate ya! Debt management...

In this episode, Credit Kristi interviews Danielle Hill of Upwardli to talk about a solution for immigrants trying to establish a credit profile in the U.S. She is the co-founder of Upwardli, who's purpose is to help credit invisible people establish a credit to build a profile and history that creates credit-worthiness opportunities for only $6 a month!  Note: Kristi has not used this produc...

You may have heard me preach and teach about how too high of credit card balances can lower your score, not having long/deep credit or too many inquiries can keep your score low. Of course collections reporting or late payments are negative marks that will lower your score.  But what do the bureaus report on your actual credit report for why your score is where it is at (possibly lower than y...

If you carry a credit card balance, there is a good chance that you are experiencing a higher minimum payment or have seen that more of your monthly payment is going towards interest rather than paying down your outstanding balance. This is because the interest rate has gone up. How can this be? Listen in as Credit Kristi shares with you the various ways your APR of your credit card can increase....

Feeling like your money isn't stretching as far as it used to? Yeah, me too. Listen in as your coach pokes fun at an article she recently read on how to make a little extra money and then Kristi will share some real ideas for reducing your bills and cost of living.  You have 2 choices when it comes to managing your funds: Make more money or Spend less money.  If you are looking for ideas...

Do disputes impact your credit profile and scores? You betcha! I have seen where many "credit repair companies" will just go in an dispute everything listed on your credit report. I suppose that is one way to go about it. I don't love that plan.  A dispute will temporarily improve your credit score because that "thing" you are disputing is removed from the credit scoring algorithm (that negat...

if you have ever experienced identity fraud or know someone who has, you know it's no joke. There are some protective measures you can put into place to help. You can freeze your credit profile with each of the three credit reporting bureaus, you can add a fraud alert and you can also get credit monitoring services placed on your credit.  If you are a victim of credit fraud,  go to http:...

Listen in as your credit coach shares 6 tips on how to raise your credit scores. Easy to implement and will have a long lasting positive impact on your credit profile and credit scores. Questions@creditkristi.com

Using credit and loans to leverage oneself to do more with what you have is likely the goal. For instance, putting down a required down payment and then financing your home vs. saving $400,000 to pay cash helps you be a homeowner much sooner in life. But what happens when you feel too stretched, over-leveraged and unsure if you can make the payments? That is the reality for tens of millions of Ame...

If you are working towards a great credit score to obtain financing for a home or intend on ever getting a mortgage, purchase or refinance, listen up! the Federal Housing Finance Agency has just accepted 2 new scoring models- the first change in 20 years!! It is a BIG deal! Listen in to the details. They are saying this could help over 10 million people that currently don't have a credit score due...

If you have credit cards with balances, you may notice that your minimum monthly payment might fluctuate. Because the balance is variable, the payment can be as well. Listen in to learn how the credit card companies calculate your minimum credit scores on higher balances for most bank issued credit cards. Questions@creditkristi.com

Many people had purchased a new car in the last year or so, millions more than "usual." What's interesting is the average car price, loan amount and what now stands as the average new car payment and length of the loan term. I bring you this information because I am predicting a wave of repossessions based on the loose standards that the auto financing industry has followed since late 2020. With v...

What do you do when you are in a financial bind? 36% of Americans can't cover a $400 emergency with cash. There are somewhere around 21,000 cash advance locations around our communities throughout the US. There is a financial epidemic and it's costing us more than ever to borrow money in a pinch. Listen it to some of the statistics of personal loans, pay day cash advance and car title loans. You s...

Our debt as a nation is increasing at rapid speed, which is scary because a financial storm is brewing. In just one month, our nation took on much more debt than anticipated. Yeah, the Fed Reserve tracks what they think those numbers should be. What does this mean for us, the consumers? What is happening with rates and payments? Listen in as Credit Kristi lays some foundation that she will be buil...

You are likely hearing a lot in the financial arena about rates going up. But what rate are they talking about? There are various rates that affect different parts of your finances, so listen in as your Credit Coach breaks down the three different interest rates that most affect you: the Fed Funds rate, Prime Index Rate and the 10 Year Treasury Yield. Say what? It's not as boring as you might thin...

If you are looking at ways to reduce your debt and trying to learn about the different options out there, listen in to learn about debt consolidation and debt restructuring affect your credit and long term goals. questions@creditkristi.com

I hear a LOT of people tell me they are "working on their credit" but that can mean everything from: I kind of care now and will try to avoid collections to paying off "bad" debt and righting the wrongs.  This is a re-record of the original "How hard are you willing to work" since it was my most listened to episode and my 2nd episode I ever recorded- and I sounded terrified and didn't edit ou...

It's all over the news- rates are going up. And there is no exception to credit cards. I have some warnings for you in this episode about what is going to be happening in the world of credit cards with payments, APR (interest rates) and how this will effect you. You may be tempted to do an "opt-out" but please do not. It can have terrible ramifications for your credit profile. What should we do wi...

I am often asked if banking information such as NSF (Non-Sufficient Funds) fees and negative balances left for the bank to close the accounts. These types of transactions are typically not reporting anywhere on your "regular" credit report. However, there are various specialty reports that this information and all sorts of other information report to. Listen in to get an overview and here is the l...

Has your credit score been lower than you desire it to be? Or did you start off struggling as a broke college kid/young adult with very little guidance on how to create a credit profile that reflects well for you? Join the masses that seem to be in the same very big boat. There is something you can do about it! Let's get into action with the proper steps to rebuild a credit profile that reflects p...

Credit is so much more than a number you can brag about at dinner parties. LOL  Your credit score can affect a lot of things, or even keep you from qualifying for certain things. A poor credit score can negatively impact your finances and cash flow and a great score can help you build up net worth with lower interest payments, allowing you to pay your debts off with greater ease. Here are my...