Financial Happiness

From the Publisher: Information that could save you thousands on credit and insurance......even help you get your next job!Explains the rules, explodes the myths!Up-to-the-minute information on today's radically new credit scoring systemfrom MSN/L.A. Timespersonal finance journalist Liz Pulliam WestonYour Credit Score:How to Fix, Improve, and Protect the 3-Digit Number that Shapes Your Financial FutureLiz Pulliam WestonYour credit score. It's a simple three-digit number, but it's rapidly becoming the most important number in your life.It dictates whether you'll get credit, and what you'll pay. A bad credit score could cost you thousands on your next house or car. Insurers use it to set premiums. Landlords use it to choose renters. You must understand it. But there's an immense amount of misinformation, obsolete data, and flat-out nonsense out theremdand some of it can cost you a fortune. In Your Credit Score, MSN/L.A. Times personal finance journalist Liz Pulliam Weston comes to the rescue with specific, up-to-date answers you can trust. Weston explains how to bounce back from bad credit or bankruptcymdand tells you exactly how credit counseling, debt negotiation, and other credit solutions can affect your score. Along the way, Weston exposes the myths about credit scoring that can cost you real money if you fall for them.Your Credit Score gives you what you need most: an action plan for building your credit, fixing it, and maintaining itmdstarting today!How many credit cards should you have... ..and what should you know about carrying balances?Whichcredit inquiries hurt your score? ...and which don't? Will closing accounts really help your credit score? You may be surprised at the answer.How credit counseling doesmdand doesn'tmdaffect your score Crucial new information, straight from the source.The fastest way to improve your credit score Who can actually helpmdand who'll rip you off?What you should do before you apply for a mortgage An action plan that could save you thousands of dollars.