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