About.com Credit / Debt Management: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.

• 10 Things To Improve Credit
  Actionable steps you can take immediately to start repairing your credit.
• Stop Collection Calls
  Calls from debt collectors are usually unwanted and can border harrassment. The FDCPA, a federal law, give you rights that protect you from debt collector calls.
• Closing Credit Cards
  Helps cardholders understand which credit cards might affect their credit score if closed.
• Sample Cease and Desist
  When you want to stop calls from debt collectors it must be communicated to them in writing. Federal law requires that debt collectors stop attempting to contact you as requested by a cease and desist letter.
• Credit Score
  Find out how your credit score is calculated.
• Avoid Holiday Debt
  The holidays are ripe for spending. Find out how to make it through the holiday season with as little debt as possible.
• sampledispute
  A sample letter you can use to dispute information from your credit report. The letter should be customized to include your personal information and reasons for the dispute.
• Credit Report Dispute
  Provides steps for disputing inaccurate information appearing on your credit report.
• Credit Essentials
  A list of 10 important things every consumer should know about credit
• FDCPA
  Debt collectors aren't free to take whatever means necessary to collect a debt. In fact, they are governed by federal laws. Being aware of these laws helps protect you from the unscrupulous practices of certain debt collectors.
• Debt To Income Ratio
  Your debt to income ratio indicates your level of debt. Learn how to calculate and analyze your ratio.
• Debt Plan
  Successful debt reduction starts with a plan. Learn how to put together a plan to get out of debt, decide which debts to focus on, and how to create a budget to get out of debt.
• Good vs. Bad Debt
  Did you know there was a such thing as good debt? There's a big difference between good debt and bad debt. How much of each are you carrying?
• Worst CR Entries
  Credit reports are the key to credit decisions made about you. These are some items you never want to have on your credit report.
• Worst Credit Cards
  There are a lot of bad credit cards out there. Learn to recognize the features of the worst credit cards.
• Rent With Bad Credit
  Renting with bad credit can be easy or hard depending on where you're looking. Find out how to get around the credit check and rent an apartment even with bad credit.
• Statute of Limitations
  The statute of limitations on a debt keeps debt collectors from collecting on it forever. The limit varies by state and depends on the account's last date of activity.
• Credit Counseling
  Consumer credit counseling is a viable option for managing your debt. Learn more about consumer credit counselong to determine if will work for you.
• Too Much Debt?
  How to tell if your debt load is just right or too large.
• Do's And Don'ts
  Guidelines for using credit cards the right way. Learn the way to use - and not to use - your credit card.
• Secured Credit Card
  Secured credit cards are good for establishing or re-establishing credit. Before you apply for a secured card, make sure to get the important facts about the card.
• Getting Good Credit
  Find out what you need to do to build a solid credit history starting with your very first credit card.
• Free Credit Report
  Step by step instructions for ordering a copy of your credit report for free
• Rebuild With Secure Credit
  If you’ve ran into financial difficulty that resulted in damaged credit, you might find it hard to obtain new credit. A secured credit card can help you improve re-establih your credit.
• Score Match
  Score Match lists credit cards based on your credit score.
• Negative Info On Credit Report
  How long does negative information stay on my credit report? A minimum of seven years, with exceptions.
• Can't Make Payment
  There may come a month when you don't have enough money to make your credit card minimum payment. Find out what you can do to maintain your credit score, interest rate, and relationship with your creditor.
• Bad Spending
  Avoid the spending habits that can cause you to be overloaded with debt.
• Read Credit Report
  Credit reports aren't very easy to understand. In this article, you'll find a detailed description of the information contained in your credit report.
• Late Payments
  Missing a credit card payment may not seem like a big deal, but it definitely can be. Find out what your creditor does when you miss a credit card payment. Hint: the answer isn't "nothing."
• Good Credit Matters
  Good credit goes far beyond getting approved for a credit card or loan. Find out why good credit is so important and how bad credit costs.
• First Credit Card
  It can be tough finding that first credit card. Don't worry, there are many credit card companies who are willing to give credit to first timers.
• Types of Cards
  Learn about the different types of credit cards to choose the right one for you.
• Buy Better Credit?
  An increasingly popular way of repairing your credit involves buying positive credit history from other consumers. How effective is this? Is it a viable way to repair your credit?
• Dept Store/Gas Cards
  Department store credit cards and gas credit cards are good for establishing credit. But, the terms and conditions make it hard to use these cards to your advantage. Find out how and how not to use department store and gas credit cards.
• Charge-Off Explained
  A charge-off is a debt that has been determined uncollectible by the original creditor.
• Debt Settlement
  Even though debt settlement may promise to reduce your debt, they can't promise to keep your credit in tact at the same time. Find out how debt settlement works and why it may not be the best solution.
• Credit Utilization
  the amount of credit purchasing power you have, accounts for 30% of your credit score.
• Choosing Credit Cards
  There are ce