If you have a history of poor credit or think that you might, it's important that you find out and take the steps to improve it.

Your goal is to build up a track record of consistently paying your bills. When creditors see that you are consistently paying other creditors... they see you in a different light.

You've got to know what's on your credit report and look for discrepancies. Write to the credit agencies and dispute your discrepancies.

Plan to pay your bills on time and follow through.

You can start this today, even before you take a look at your credit report. Contact your creditors to review your payment options and catch up with any late payments. Focus on ways to reduce your spending.

Stop using credit cards now. If you are prone to 'impulse buying' and you probably are, if you have maxed-out cards take the cards out of your purse or wallet before going shopping.

Now take the one with the lowest balance and pay as much as you can each month until it is paid off- during this time- pay only the minimum on the other cards-

Now when you've paid the first one off- take what you were paying each month on that card- go to card #2 and add this total plus the minimum payment you've been paying and you'll see a snowball effect like no other.

Most people no matter what level of debt they are in, can pay off all their credit card debt within two short years.

Now you will experience the true freedom of not being in bondage to the debt.

As you pay down your balances your score will begin to improve-

Don't rush to close the cards when you get them paid off- having ongoing credit can help you-

Now you can go back to the cards you have... call the companies and ask... aka... strongly request that you want a better interest rate or you'll close the card.

Also on this note- don't do the shuffle of going from introductory rate to introductory rate- just to get a 0% balance for 6 months. This will lower your score drastically. You want some long-term history with your cards.

And last but not least- live within your means.

This goes for only buying the essentials and paying your bills to not getting in over your head with a house you can't afford.

Carefully watch what you buy and know if you are subject to 'impulse buying' at the local stores and walk away for a day.

Think about it for a few days and then, if you still want it and can afford it- go back and get it. (I just saved you thousands a year)

Watching your spending, paying bills on time, and paying down credit cards (one at a time) will take some time and discipline... You'll want to give up but look at the rewards... One day you'll wake up- free from debt. If you live like no one else today, then youll live like no one else one day. Go after it. Now that's true freedom and you deserve it.

Copyright 2006 Trey Patrick