Introduction 1
Part I: Credit Management: An Essential 21st-Century Skill for Financial Success 7
Chapter 1: Introducing Credit Management Essentials in a Tightened Credit Market 9
Chapter 2: Gaining Control of Your Credit 25
Chapter 3: Taking a Sustainable Approach to Your Financial Environment 33
Chapter 4: Creating a Spending (And Savings) Plan for Your Future 45
Chapter 5: Protecting Your Credit in the Post–Financial Meltdown World 69
Part II: Writing on Your Personal Credit Wall: Credit Reporting and Scoring in the Facebook Age 85
Chapter 6: Discovering How Credit Reporting Works 87
Chapter 7: Understanding Credit Reports and Scores 99
Chapter 8: Monitoring Your Credit Reports and Scores 123
Part III: Creating Solid Credit Strategies for Every Stage in Life 135
Chapter 9: Building Credit: Getting Started (or Restarted) in Life 137
Chapter 10: Accounting for the Effect of Life’s Necessities 161
Chapter 11: Keeping Your Credit Great When Faced with Major Life Events 173
Chapter 12: Controlling Access to Your Identity 203
Part IV: Navigating Negative Credit 215
Chapter 13: Turning Your Credit Around 217
Chapter 14: Polishing Your Credit Reports 233
Chapter 15: Getting the Best Help for Bad Credit for Free 247
Chapter 16: Coping with Bad Credit and Debts 259
Chapter 17: Managing Credit in a Mortgage Crisis 281
Chapter 18: Working with Collectors, Lawyers, and the Courts to Manage Debt Obligations 293
Chapter 19: Minimizing Credit Damage in a Bankruptcy 309
Chapter 20: Repairing Identity Theft Credit Damage 329
Part V: The Part of Tens 337
Chapter 21: Ten Consumer Protections Everyone Needs to Know 339
Chapter 22: Ten Tips to Achieving Stellar Credit 347
Chapter 23: Ten Ways to Successfully Manage Financial Emergencies 353
Appendix: About the CD 359
Index 369
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