Credit Coaching by Kristi

Every situation is different. But for many of us, we have some of the same main questions when it comes to credit and credit scores like what about a new credit card? Debt Utilization and why my score always changes and looks different, depending on where I view it. Your credit coach addresses these questions in this episode. Questions@creditkristi.com To purchase Kristi's book for first time home...

There are big changes FINALLY coming to credit profiles when it comes to medical collections. Some 70% of millions of credit reports have some kind of medical collection reporting. Collections can have a significant negative affect to your credit score and overall profile and with these changes, millions of people will benefit! 

Interested in knowing more about how to start and establish small business credit? I got S.E. Day of For Small Business Only, to share his tips and suggestions on how to establish business credit effectively and quickly. THE RIGHT WAY! He has started dozens of businesses and has more authority in this field than most people put together. Let's listen in and follow his advice on how to get started...

Listen in as Credit Kristi shares information on the 5 credit acts that have been created to protect our credit information, what can and cannot be reported on credit to prevent discrimination, and the handling of debt collections.  Questions@CreditKristi.com

One thing is clear, everything is costing more. But I have many people asking me about rates, and they often confuse mortgage rates with other types of interest rates out there. Listen in as Credit Kristi explains mortgage rates, the Fed Funds rate and the Prime Index rate. There is a difference, they each have their own role, and it all impacts YOU. Want a simple but thorough budget? Email me at...

I speak with so many people that say they are "working on their credit." When I ask them what that means to them, they share all sorts of answers but it is often along the lines of: paying my bills on time, not allowing new collections, or disputing prior negative accounts. That's just maintenance and a little temporary help. If you have prior negatives, and they are truly yours, disputing will be...

It's a shorty but a goody. Did you know that your auto insurance, homeowners insurance (or renters insurance) can cost you more if you have a lower credit score? It's true! Washington State is trying to change that and made a new rule that is going into effect in March 2022, however, the insurance associations are trying to fight it. Many people don't realize just how deep the cut can be if you ha...

You have likely heard of a charge off and a collection, but what is the distinction between them? What makes them different and should I pay it or ignore it? Does a charge off mean I don't have to pay it? Listen in as your coach explains the difference and the impact each can have on your credit profile and credit report.  Questions@creditkristi.com

According to a survey I just read about, I share with you the top 5 problems we face when it comes to money. Do any of these apply to you? Do all of them? Listen in to learn what the majority of those surveyed shared in their responses to their top money problems. Source: USA Today with the survey conducted by Money Rates

Hey friends! I am asked ALL the time about credit repair companies. You can't just erase past mistakes, although you can clean up inaccurate or erroneous information. Learn what can and cannot be removed or changed on your credit report with these helpful tips from your coach. questions@creditkristi.com

The holidays can get the best of us! Crazy schedules, overstretched budgets, dinner parties, get togethers, and all sorts of tidings and joy!  Don't break the bank and don't max out those credit cards! Listen in for some tips on how to create your list (check it twice!), set a limit and keep track of your spending.  Happy holiday to you! Wishing you the best this holiday season. Thanks f...

Did you know there are certain things you can negotiate on your credit card terms? From the date your bill is due to be paid to your APR, there are several things you can control when it comes to your credit card.  Listen in to learn some tips and pointers from your credit coach.  @Credit Kristi on all social media platforms Questions@creditkristi.com

Big changes coming into the arena for credit profiles when it comes to what is reported and HOW it is viewed with the scoring model. If you are working towards becoming a homeowner in the near future, listen in! In less than 5 minutes, you will learn 2 major changes taking place right now in the mortgage world when it comes to viewing credit.

Have you heard of Ultra FICO? It's in a "pilot" phase right now but is taking an interesting twist to create a credit score for you if you have no credit or very little credit reflecting on your credit profile. With an estimated 53 million Americans that don't have enough credit established to generate an accurate credit score, this could benefit them. Are lenders accepting this Ultra FICO score?...

I am asked about credit repair companies quite often. In full disclosure, I haven't personally worked with them. I just know that MOST credit reports I see don't require hiring a credit repair company. In most cases, it's a matter of paying off or making right some past wrongs, getting on time payments and current debts reflecting on your report and cleaning up some inaccuracies that might appear....

Being in my 40s, I can tell you some lessons we have to learn the hard way, and some we CHOOSE to learn the hard way because we just don't always listen to those wiser and more experienced. I wish I had someone teaching me and guiding me financially and with my credit decisions so it didn't take me years to bail out of my poor money choices.  Listen in as you credit coach discusses 5 things s...

Shawn Yesner is an attorney in the Tampa Bay area specializing in Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Law. Tune in as I ask Shawn some questions regarding how much debt should you be in to consider a bankruptcy, what about student loans, your home, and even IRS debt? He covers that! And check out his podcast called Crushing Debt and his website, Yesnerlaw.com. Contact Kristi at questions@creditkristi.com

Fannie Mae, the entity that creates the guidelines that most banks and lender abide by has recently made a major change to the credit score used for approval. This is a MAJOR change to allow more buyers to qualify and to serve a wider market. Listen in to this short and sweet episode to learn of the newly implemented change. Can this help YOU? YouTube Channel: Your Loan Superhero  and also &n...

Hey graduate! First of all- congrats to you!!! So proud of you! Okay- so NOW what? Out of college, into career- and what kind of teaching or training have you had on how to manage your bills, not get caught up in (more) debt, how to get out of debt, and manage your next steps well? Give me 13 minutes and I have a great overview on steps to help get you started! questions@creditkristi.com

Ever feel like success is for other people? That it can't happen to you or for you? I want to introduce you to an awesome couple, Nick and Brooke. They believed that too. But thankfully, they listened to some people in their lives, got into action, and are living a very different life this year than years past. They didn't come from money, no hand outs, no special programs. They sought advice, got...

If someone or a company suggests you use a strategy called credit card stacking to leverage available credit to buy something large- think twice! Better yet, think twice more- it is usually NOT a good idea and I have experienced the "offer" of this before and so grateful I didn't do it. But I know of people who have and get absolutely buried in debt and feel like they are stuck because most of the...

You may have seen commercials for Experian Boost- what is it and how can it benefit you? The commercials indicate an improvement in your credit score- but how much and by what means?  Questions@creditkristi.com

No one wants to discuss, but let's talk about bankruptcy. Why do most people who end up in a bankruptcy to begin with? What kinds of bankruptcies are there and how do they help? What kind of implications does this create on our credit profile and how will this effect a future mortgage loan application? Every State has different laws and requirements. I am in Florida and so I reference what is comm...

The source of many people's money problems is not having an emergency fund- no cash on hand- and have to borrow for most things. It's a trap, this cycle we get caught in. It starts and ends with no savings.  Break the cycle, and take ownership of your finances!  Questions@creditkristi.com Let's connect on Social Media: IG, YT, FB and TT: @creditkristi

It's easy to want to be better at something... but are we willing to put in the work? You will - if you want it badly enough! In this episode, I share some ideas and tips on how to improve your score, and some advice is going to make you work extra hard! But if you want results, we have to start with change. Let's do this! PS- This is my 2nd episode I ever recorded, and you can hear the fear in my...