Start the New Year Right
By LaToya Irby, About.com Guide
Resolutions for the New Year
Getting out of debt consistently ranks in the top 10 New Year Resolutions each year. Improving credit is another common resolutions. They're both great resolutions to make. Here you'll find the resources to make both resolutions a reality.
- 2011 New Year Resolutions
- 7 Steps to Keeping Your New Year Resolution
- Credit and Debt Moves to Make This Year
Get the Financial Basics
Having a strong financial foundation will help you improve your credit and stay out of debt. If you already have good credit and no debt, make sure your financial basics are in place so you'll stay that way.
- Steps to Build an Emergency Fund
- 7 Ways to Live Within Your Means
- Avoid Spending Habits That Cause Debt
Check Your Credit Standing
Don't go into the new year without knowing where your credit stands. Knowing your credit score will help you make financial decisions for the rest of the year.
- How to Order Your Credit Score
- Free Credit Score From CreditKarma.com
- How Your Credit Score is Calculated
- 10 Things That Don't Affect Your Credit Score
- 4 Places to Order Your Credit Report
- How to Get a Free Credit Report
- How to Read Your Credit Report
- Six Worst Credit Report Entries
- Avoid Free Credit Report Scams
Get Out of Debt
Many people will put "get out of debt" at the top of their list this year. It's a great goal, but remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. If you have a lot of debt, you may not be able to pay it all this year, but you can make a good start.
- How to Add Up Your Total Debt
- 10 Signs You Have Too Much Debt
- Quit Bad Spending Habits
- Make a Get Out of Debt Plan
- How to Prioritize Your Debt Payments
- 5 Dumb Ways to Pay Off Debt
- 77 Ways to Get Money for Debt
- Go On a Debt Diet
- 6 Options for Repaying Debt
Repair Your Credit
If you've been living with bad credit, focus on improving your credit in 2011. Credit repair isn't as hard as it may seem. There are a few tactics you can use to repair your credit and it starts with learning about your credit report and credit score.
- Do It Yourself Credit Repair
- Credit Repair Checklist
- Tips to Avoid a Credit Repair Scam
- 10 Credit Repair Mistakes
- Begin Rebuilding Your Credit Score
- How to Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit
- Best Secured Credit Cards
- 7 Ways to Maintain a Good Credit Score
Get a Better Credit Card
If your credit improved last year, you may qualify for a better credit card. The credit industry is starting to make better credit card offers to people who have good credit, so the new year is a good time to evaluate the credit cards you already have.