Learning Center
Basic Finance
How Credit Affects You
Preparing for Home Ownership
Steps for Buying a Home
Life as a Homeowner






 
Additional Resources
Module 2
How Credit Affects You
Improving Your Credit
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Change Your Spending Habits
Track your monthly spending and develop a realistic plan to help guide how you manage your money. Review it regularly to reinforce your new spending habits. For details on how to build a spending plan, including easy-to-use spending plan worksheets, review Basic Finance.

Beware of Credit Repair Companies
There are many companies that promise to repair your credit for a fee. Many of them are dishonest, charging huge fees for services that you could easily do yourself for free. Some companies may suggest bankruptcy to clear your debts, but that might be very bad advice for you since a bankruptcy will stay on your record for up to 10 years. Other companies promote the services as being from a nonprofit organization, but they steer you to a for-profit arm of the company and charge you steep fees. Instead of working with credit repair companies, seek assistance from reputable nonprofit credit counselors.

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