Managing credit is a challenge that cuts across all socioeconomic lines. No matter what level of income you earn, handling credit is a necessary skill. Anyone who has ever been denied credit understands how the lack of credit affects financial options.

Like most Americans, you probably dream of someday owning your own home, buying a new car, or taking your family on vacation. But poor credit can be a roadblock to your ability to achieve these desires.

• Overcoming the Credit Barrier: Clearing the Way to Your Financial Goals Brochure (PDF | 402KB)
• Budgeting: Managing Your Money with a Spending Plan (PDF | 285KB)
• Budget Worksheet (PDF | 225KB)
• Budgeting 101: A Balancing Act Webinar

Credit

• Your Gender Can Directly Affect Your Credit Card Debt
• Poor Credit Affects Your Ability to Plan
• Steps to Improve Credit
• How to Improve Poor Credit
• How to Correct Credit Report Errors
• Do You Have a Credit Problem?
• Credit Counseling Services
• Put Your Credit Resolutions in Motion
• Secrets to Maintaining a Healthy Credit Score
• Keeping Your Credit Score Healthy — A Checklist
• It’s All Up to Your Credit: Establishing and Keeping a Good Credit Rating
• Tips to Improve Your Credit Score
• A Credit Check-up
• I am really bad with money. Can a financial planner get me back on track and help me rebuild my credit score?
• How would defaulting on our three vehicle loans affect our future credit rating?
• How long does it take to clean up bad credit?

Budget Management

• Living with a Spending Plan (PDF | 235KB)
• Spending Plan Worksheet (PDF | 61KB)
• How to Break the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Treadmill
• Building a Personal Cash Flow Statement
• Ten Steps to Unplugging from the Credit “Grid”: How to Start Living on a Cash Basis

Get Out of Debt

• Should we take an early retirement incentive to reduce our debt?
• Does it make sense to use a home equity loan to pay off high-interest credit card debt in order to raise credit rating and save money over the long-term?
• Debt Plan Worksheet (PDF | 43KB)
• The U.S. Debt Rating Downgrade & Your Money
• The Hidden Debt
• Your Personal Debt Ceiling Crisis
• Indebted: Now What
• Retire Your Debt
• New Debt Relief Laws Take Effect
• A Financial Planning Toolkit to Get Debt Free
• Getting Out of Debt
• Get Out of the Red: Six Steps to Cut Debt
• Debt Is…
• Get Out of Debt — Create a Spending Plan
• 10 Ways to Cut Your Debt Now
• Pay Down Credit Card Debt in 2010
• What is the easiest way to pay down debt?
• I have a small inheritance that I set aside for my daughter’s education. Would it be wise to pay off our debt with the inheritance?
• I have access to a $20,000 windfall. Should I use this money to pay off half my debt?
• I’m trying to get out of debt, but I need help getting started. What do I need to do first?
• Should I cash out my retirement account to pay off my debt and worry about retirement later?
• Should I take out a 401(k) loan to pay off my interest rate debt?
• I am living paycheck to paycheck and am in debt. Would it make any difference if I seek help from a financial planner?

Credit Cards

• Tips for New Couples: How to Handle Recent Credit Card Rule Changes
• Have a Credit Card? Learn Your New Bill of Rights
• How to Compare and Contrast Credit Cards
• What can I do to lessen the burden of my credit card debt?
• Should we apply for a credit card with balance transfer and a lower interest rate?
• What is the fastest way to reduce credit card balances?
• Is it a bad idea to take out a loan on my 401(k) plan to pay off my credit cards?
• Since I can’t pay off my credit cards in my lifetime, should I just not pay anything?
• Is it best to close paid off, unused credit cards or leave them open?
• How to Use Credit Cards Wisely (Mp3)

Additional Resources

• Top Ways You Can Prevent Identity Theft
• How can I have fun and go out without spending money?
• How a Financial Planner Can Help You ... and How to Choose the Right One Brochure (PDF | 2.59MB)