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Many people think having bad credit will only impact their large purchases that need financing, such as a home or car. Still others figure who cares if their credit is poor and they cannot qualify for major credit cards. Depending on their actual credit score, some people will pay a higher interest rate and can live with that.

Do not fall prey to the seven or ten year bad credit "monster" so many creditors put forth. You can positively impact your history through diligence and effort. These time frames are by no means a set standard on how long negative reports affect your standing. Many times these are used as a scare tactic to keep you from being proactive in your efforts.

To avoid getting in trouble with your creditors, keep in touch with them. Explain to them your situation and set up a payment plan with them. By contacting them, you show them that you are not a customer that does not intend to pay them back. This also means that they will not send a collection agency after you.

Try credit counseling instead of bankruptcy. Sometimes it is unavoidable, but in many instances, having someone to help you sort out your debt and make a viable plan for repayment can make all the difference you need. They can help you to avoid something as serious as a foreclosure or a bankruptcy.

With the new credit card laws in place, banks must now decline your card in the event of a possible overdraft. They will most likely try to get you to opt out of this, claiming that it is a service they provide to approve the purchase anyways, and then charge you a small fee. These fees are high. You will be much better off getting declined and using a different bank account or credit card for your purchase, than paying their fees.

As we have seen, having bad credit cannot only impact your ability to make large purchases, but also prevent you from gaining employment or obtaining good rates on insurance. In today's society, it is more important than ever to take steps to repair any credit issues, and avoid having poor credit.