The Missouri Bar

Law in Your Life #64: Your Credit During an Economic Crunch

Credit is key to moving through this tough economy unscathed. To have a good credit score, you need a clean credit report. Today Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out what you need to know about credit scores and reports from Bruce McClary with Clearpoint Credit Counseling Solutions.

Where can I get a free copy of my credit report?

What type of information does the credit report contain?

What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act and what can it do for me?

Listen to the full interview with Bruce McClary below.

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 17 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

What type of information does the credit report contain?

What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act and what can it do for me?

Listen to the full interview with Bruce McClary below.

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 17 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act and what can it do for me?

Listen to the full interview with Bruce McClary below.

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 17 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

Listen to the full interview with Bruce McClary below.

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 17 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 17 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

Budget Wisely for Holidays in Tough Economy

Many Americans will tighten their belts this holiday season, which others still feel the pressure to buy, buy, buy thanks to catalogs that entice their children with toys galore.

It is easy for consumers to get caught up in Black Friday sales - which don't always offer the best bargains. Some holiday shoppers spend more than they budgeted for with unexpected, last-minute gifts, or pressure from friends or family to buy big.

Want to have a nice Christmas without breaking the bank? Here are some questions to ask yourself while Christmas shopping:

• How badly do I, or my family, need this item?
• Is this a quality item that is a long-term investment?
• Can I pay for this in cash and still pay my bills?
• Can I pay this off this month?
• Can I find this cheaper somewhere else?
• Would I buy this if I waited until tomorrow?
• Am I willing to give up something else to afford this item?
• Can I make this at home for less cost?
• Am I buying this because it is needed, or because I feel pressured to do so?

Be sure to check your debt and winter bill estimates first to determine your holiday gift-giving budget. Don't forget to include holiday meals in your budget. These, too, can get costly.

If you like to shop online, MSNBC offers this Web guide for sites that help you find the best deals.

Even Spielberg Can't Get Enough Credit

Legendary director Steven Spielberg wants to be out on his own. He is trying to raise enough cash to take his DreamWorks studio solo - but even the mega Hollywood player can't get banks to give him enough credit to do so. (Read more in the LA Times)

The economic crunch is hurting families across the nation. Credit lines are frozen, or drastically reduced by lending institutions that are trying to lower their default rates. Add to that, it is even tougher to get credit now. A credit rating that used to be considered high is now average, and companies are searching for squeaky-clean credit reports before lending.

What do you need to know about your rating to get the credit you need? What is the best way to manage your credit? The Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out from Bruce McClary with Clearpoint Financial Solutions.

Law in Your Life #48: The Truth About Your Credit Score

Chances are someone has recently given you advise on the best ways to manage your credit score. But do they really know the truth? Today host Angela Wilson goes in-depth on this topic with Bruce McClary. He works with Clearpoint Financial Solutions.

(Internet Explorer users click twice.)

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 34.0 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

On the Web:

National Foundation for Credit Counseling

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 34.0 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

On the Web:

National Foundation for Credit Counseling

Are You Hurting Your Credit Rating

Good Morning America this week tackled things consumers do to hurt their credit.

What if you find something on your credit report that is wrong? How can you change it? How does this misinformation impact your rating? What can you do to improve your rating? Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out from attorney Blair Drazic in this podcast.

Law in Your Life #36: Bad Credit

Bad credit. No one wants to deal with it, yet it happens sometimes. And sometimes, there are things on your report that are inaccurate. This week, host Angela Wilson talks to attorney Blair Drazic about how you get get bad credit, ways to improve your credit and how to fight false claims on your credit report. (Internet Explorer users click twice.)

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 19.1 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

More on the Web:

You can obtain a copy of your credit report from the three main U.S. bureaus:

Equifax
To request a fraud alert call: 800-525-6285
Write to: PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374
www.equifax.com

Experian:
Call: 888-397-3742
Write to: PO Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com

Transunion
Call: 800-680-7289
Write to: Fraud Victim Assistance Department, PO Box 6790, Fullerton,
CA 92834
www.transunion.com

To obtain a free copy of your credit report visit,
www.annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 19.1 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

More on the Web:

You can obtain a copy of your credit report from the three main U.S. bureaus:

Equifax
To request a fraud alert call: 800-525-6285
Write to: PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374
www.equifax.com

Experian:
Call: 888-397-3742
Write to: PO Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com

Transunion
Call: 800-680-7289
Write to: Fraud Victim Assistance Department, PO Box 6790, Fullerton,
CA 92834
www.transunion.com

To obtain a free copy of your credit report visit,
www.annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228