Jennifer's Blog

Sacramento Event for Realtors & Entrepreneurs & Salespeople

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:31:45 -0500

Great Speakers on Marketing and Success in today's economy...In Sacramento on June 19th & 20th

Via Mickey O'Brien (Commercial Trainers):

"Discover Your Passion & Crash Proof Your Business" Join some of the most influential business minds in todays economy on June 19th for a must attend Live 1 Day Training that will give you the tools not just to survive this new marketplace, but to thrive in it.....

Special Day 2 of Training on Saturday June 20th.... The Never Give In Success Academy ...more details here.

Choose to go to either one or both of these incredible one-day multi-speaker sales, marketing and Success Academy event we've put together. We have worked hard getting great speakers, and planning this VIP event and as it came together we've decided the information people would get is so important that we wanted everyone to have access to it.

So - we decided to give every seat away for FREE. ($995 value) Limited seating, register today.

Learn the top strategies for thriving in todays new economy from the experts:

Mickey O'Brien is founder and president of Completely Coachable which helps individuals and organizations discover and achieve their potential so that they can become more effective with less stress.

Eric Lofholm is a Master Sales Trainer who has trained tens of thousands of sales professionals nationwide.

Alejandro Reyes of SuccessFool.com & SacramentoMarketingLabs.com is addicted to People, their Passions, and teaching them how to use Social Media to Get Internet Famous! Blogger. Speaker. Entrepreneur.

Jennifer Bourn of Bourn Creative graphic design and website design helps Entrepreneurs use design to generate leads, get referrals, automate and make money.

Eiji Morishita, Founder of Genius Squared Trainings teaches how to discover your unique gifts and attract your ideal relationships in business and in life.

Maximize returns in absolutely ANY business.

Who Should Attend This Event?

· Small Business Owners

· Entrepreneurs

· Knowledge Seekers

· Sales Professionals

· CEO's & Presidents

· Business Leaders

· General Managers

· Professional Speakers

· Personal Development & Business Coaches

Register at CrashProofYourBusiness.com

Event Location: Radison Hotel in Sacramento, CA 500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento CA 95815

What is the best way to get the word out on Activerain?

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:48:07 -0500

Hi Everyone,

I have my blog on avtiverain but want to get the word out to more people on activerain about our new loan modification service to help homeowners save there homes from forclosure.

What is the be way to do this without spamming? How do I get more hits on my blog?

I truly believe I have put out some great infomation on my blog and want to help more homeowners save their homes. We have some of the best attorneys working for us to make this happen.

Jennifer

StrategicCreditCoach.com

877-825-7885

Office Space in Fair Oaks CA

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:36:38 -0500

I'm moving my office space around the corner to a much larger office with a training room.

We are going to have a lot of extra office space.

There will be about 4 extra cubicles that will be set up for a professional that wants a inexpensive office space that includes internet and ultilities.

I'm going to rent the cubicle space for $195 to $295, depending on whether you need space for 1 or 2 people.

These spaces will be semi-private and you will have access to our confernce table.

Call for more details 877-825-7885

Jennifer

StrategicCreditCoach.com

Fair Oaks, CA

Fair Oaks Chicken Festival Events - It's great fun, bring your family :)

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:19:25 -0500

Come out and join us at the Fair Oaks Chicken Festival Events

THIRD ANNUAL FAIR OAKS CHICKEN FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH (8:00AM – 8:00PM)
PRE-FESTIVAL BARBEQUE ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH (6:00PM – 10:00PM)

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Friday, September 19:

6:00pm to 10:00pm – Pre-Festival Barbeque
Village Park (4238 Main St)

Come join us for a Chicken BBQ with all the fixings. No Host Bar

Adults: $15.00
Children (10 and under): $10.00

Featured Band: Blues Farm Band

Tickets will be available beginning August 4th at the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District office.

At the Festival
Saturday, September 20
8:00am to 8:00pm
Free Admission!!

8:00am to 10:30am – "Old Time Country Breakfast"
Sponsored by the Orangevale/Fair Oaks Grange
Fair Oaks Community Club House, upper level

All you can eat for $5.00 per person (tickets at the door)
An old fashioned farm breakfast buffet featuring eggs, sausage, bacon, French toast, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee
--- a great way to start your day at the Festival.

BANDS

10:00am to 8:00pm – Music to Sooth the Savage Chickens
On the Chicken Festival Stage … Junction of Fair Oaks Blvd. and California

10:00am to 12:00pm –(Plaza Park) - Lightning Hand Band
11:00am to 1:00pm - (Village Park) - Blues Farm Band

12:30pm to 2:30pm – (Plaza Park) - Mumbo Gumbo
1:30pm to 4:30pm - (Village Park) - Lightning Hand Band

3:00pm to 5:00pm - (Plaza Park) - Marshal Wilkerson Band
5:30 pm to 8:00pm (Plaza Park) - Jeff Watson Band

10:00am to 8:00pm – Food and Craft Vendors
In and Around the Village

10:00am –4:30pm Barbeque Chicken Cook-Off COMPETITION
Village Park (4239 Main St.) DOWNLOAD THE BBQ COMPETITION APPLICATION HERE!

See Pro’s and amateurs in action; the BBQ’s light up at 10:00am and
Judging begins at 4:00pm.

10:00am to 8:00pm – Kids Activities
Plaza Park

11:30am to 7:00pm – Microbrewery BeerTasting with music to sip by provided by "J's House", performing again for your listening pleasure. - Presented by the Fair Oaks Rotary Club
In and Around the American River Bank Parking Lot Fair Oaks Blvd.

Featuring the following Microbrewers:

New Belgium Brewery – Fat Tire
Lost Coast Brewery
Killian’s Irish Red
Blue Moon Brewing Company
Alaskan Brewing Company
Rubicon Brewing Company
Sierra Nevada Brewery
Beermanns Beerwerks Brewery
Sacramento Brewing Company
Lockdown Brewing Company

FCRA and Federal Requirement Regarding What Creditors Report to the Bureaus

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:34:24 -0500

Q & A's for September 2008

Hello,

Regarding a corporate credit card account that was about to charge off and was not yet currently reporting on the client's personal credit report, A bank rep offered a settlement and told my client that the "pursuant to federal guidelines" the bank had to report the business debt charge off as "settled" on his personal account. Is this true?

As I understand it, there is no legal requirement for creditors to report any information to the bureaus. The only FCRA requirement is that IF the credit bureau reports information that they make a reasonable attempt to make sure it is ACCURATE.

Aside from the FCRA, there are some examples of child support and student loan obligations that are mandatory to report, but not credit card debt. I think your client was fed a line.

Thanks for your questions everyone, keep them coming.

Email guru@scchelp.com or call 877-825-7885

Re: I have been asked this several times - How would you respond?

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:26:02 -0500

Q&A's for September 2008

Re: I have been asked this several times - How would you respond?

I’m a loan officer who tries to help my clients with their credit and have had several people contact me with fair to good credit and they are going to be late on their mortgage payment due to a higher mortgage payment. They are concerned of their credit score dropping due the late payment.

Is there a way to negotiate with the bank once they are 30 to 60 days late to settle for deletion of the late payment before they become current? Thanks

We have a client with good credit score that had 1x30 late with a well known lender. We made 4 or 5 phone calls to have them delete the late but they were firm: "No courtesy deletion. This is C______wide policy!!!" It doesn’t hurt to have the client ask though.

The client may want to work on a modification program that may accomplish what they are seeking in a refinance. Calling the lender is usually not enough. They may need an experienced modification negotiator. In many cases, modifications are easier to obtain than you may think. There's no reason to suffer through high payments or risk foreclosure without negotiating a loan mod.

If you need help let me know.

Jennifer

StrategicCreditCoach.com

877-825-7885

Re: Check System derogs

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:03:13 -0500

Q&A's for September 2008

Re: Check System derogs

What is the best way to resolve issues when credit reports reflect overdraft issues?

Example: When checks that bounce and the customers are tagged within the Check System on their black list. Is there a way these clients can get back into good standing and get the issues fixed on their reports.
Regards
Sam

Sam,

So was the client never overdrawn? In other words, did they never write any bad checks? If so, it most likely stay on Check Systems for up to 5 years, but you can get an account with some banks in as little as six months. If it is truly their bad debt, make sure they pay it as soon as possible.

Jennifer

StrategicCreditCoach.com

877-825-7885

Re: Help with a collection account

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:49:22 -0500

Q&A's for September

Re: Help with a collection account

Hello,
I have a client that has a collection for a “What’s In Your Wallet” card from 12/07. Her ex-boyfriend took the card from her without her knowledge from her purse and charged it up. She didn't recognize it was gone because she never used it. The bills were going to her mom's house so she never got them. How can I help her with this? Does she need to file a police report?

Thanks Rick

Rick,

Yes, file a police report and then follow my post on identity theft.

Jennifer

StrategicCreditCoach.com

877-825-7885

Is there any truth to this...?

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:40:12 -0500

Is there any truth to this...?

Lately, I have been speaking with others who say that all credit repair services are basically the same, but not all get the same accommodating help from the credit bureaus.

That if you are not a law firm working directly with the legal department of each bureau you are in the waiting line with everyone else trying to get their credit fix. BUT if someone were to use a law firm to have the credit cleaned up they would be dealing with each bureaus legal department. This allows for better service and quicker, long lasting results.

Can you comment on this?

Sincerely,

Becky

Becky,

I can't say for sure, but I have been successful without using letters on attorney letterhead.

We do have two attorneys on staff but it does not seem to make a difference whether it’s the consumer, a credit repair person, or an attorney, as long as the dispute is valid and if your not doing on it on your own the person you are working with is reputable.

Jennifer

StrategicCreditCoach.com

877-825-7885

Counting the 7 Years for Removing Accounts from Credit Reports

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:28:16 -0500

Welcome to this weeks Q&A

Question:

I have a question sir:
To get an account removed due to age of
account, is it 7+ years from DLA with
the original creditor or 7+ years since
DLA with the collection company?

Thank you.

Reply:

For an example like that (acct that went to collection) they should both come off no later than when the original acct went to derog status.

Now, having said that, I think we all know that some collection agencies are sneaky and will attempt to report it with a more recent date assigned causing it to stay on much longer than allowed so keep an eye on it.

For more information call 877-825-7885

Feel free to submit any credit questions.

StrategicCreditCoach.com

Prevent Foreclosure -- Don't loose your home to a bad loan or a declining market.

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:13:12 -0500

We have been negotiating debt for years and recently we have teamed up with some of the best RESPA and TIL attorneys in the business to offer mortgage loan modification for those who may be in risk of loosing their home to foreclosure.

Loan Modification is a negotiated alteration in the terms of a mortgage, to meet the current circumstances of the homeowner. Our legal dept and attorneys will negotiate with your present lender to lower your interest rate, lower your payment, forgive past due balances and late fees and even lower your principal loan balance.

We have top rated attorneys, processors and underwriters to help our client save their home and way of life.

Loan modification can be done on your own but we take the fear out of the equation and bring you peace of mind that someone is on your side.

Call us today at 877-825-7885 for more information to see if you are a candidate for this new program to save your home.

Action is power.

Jennifer

Strategic Credit Coach

Re: Short Sales

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 23:40:18 -0500

Daily Q & A's

RE: Short Sales

I have a client that sold his primary home as short sale. The second mortgage company, which is a different lender from the first lien holder. The second mortgage has placed a collection of $74,548 on the credit report. Is it safe to say, that if approved as a short sale through the first lien holder, you still run the risk of the second mortgage company coming after you for the balance owed.

Unfortunately yes.

The laws are different in each state. In some states the lender can come after the borrower, in others not so.
Many times you can negotiate with the second mortgage holder for a settlement of a fraction of what is actually owed. In any case, you need an experience negotiator on your side. It is hard to imagine that the client closed a short sale transaction not knowing that the second mortgage holder could place a collection on his credit report afterwards. Possibly someone didn't fully explain what was happening in his transaction.
The second holder could want payment, but it should be negotiated at the same time as the first.

For more information call us at StrategicCreditCoach.com 877-825-7885

Action is Power,

Jennifer

RE: What to due if you get a collection dunning letter

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 23:14:19 -0500

Daily Q & A's

First of all, what is a Dunning Letter?

Answer: It is an over due letter to the customer which talks about customer over due amount and due date, a reminding letter of missed payment.

How do we approach collector's dunning letters?

I suggest to pay the collection if the dunning letter was just received and it is not reporting yet on the credit report. You have 30 days to pay it after receiving the dunning letter before they report it to the bureaus, that is why it is smart to always jump on these things when possible to prevent the account from being reported on the credit report.

For more information contact StrategicCreditCoach.com at 877-825-7885

Action is Power,

Jennifer

Judments reported on the credit report after a Bankruptcy: Daily Q & A

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:57:36 -0500

New Daily Q&A’s

Judgment question: If a judgment is included in a Bankruptcy, should the "Amount" for the specific judgment be 0 and should "Status" for the same judgment show "satisfied" on the client's credit report?

Reply:

Any debt discharged in a BK would have the debt cloaked and a status code included to show that it was "included in BK." I don't believe a satisfaction is ever filed.

If it does not show included in BK then you need to contact the credit bureaus and have then change it.

For more information contact StrategicCreditCoach.com at 877-825-7885

Jennifer

Sacramento Rivercats' Wives Host Food Drive

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:42:40 -0500

Sacramento Rivercats' Wives Host Food Drive

The wives of the Sacramento River Cats baseball team are teaming up to collect canned goods for the Sacramento Food Bank during Saturday's game at Raley Field.

My husband and son went out to the ballpark this week to watch a good baseball game between the L.A. 51S and the Sacramento Rivercats’. Although the Rivercats’ lost there was something good that happened, the show of good will towards all through the food drive that was lead by the wives of the Rivercats’ players. It just goes to show that even when things in the stock market, housing market and personal finances seem to be going to hell at times, we as Americans will still pull together to help one another.

So, my charge to you this week is to encourage you to help just one other person out in some way that would be an unexpected blessing.

Make it a great day!

Please link to us or post your comments. Thanks

For professional advise call us at (877) 825-7885 www.StrategicCreditCoach.com

Mission: We educate and coach people looking to improve their credit score and overall financial health so they are able to learn financial disciplines and achieve a more secure future.

Vision: To raise the standard of living for all people and inspire them to live their passions and dreams and have piece of mind.

How the Credit Scoring Model Works on CD Free

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:51:58 -0500

How the Credit Scoring Model Works on CD Free

For those who live in California we do LIVE credit improvement and overall financial health seminars for your office and or clients, it is about an hour and a half seminar. Read our testimonials to see how people go wow!

If you live anywhere in the US we can send you a Free CD of what we talk about in the seminar. We crammed the hour and a half seminar into only about 25 minutes so that you or a client can listen to it in a car on the way to work.

Email me if you would like a copy at Jennifer@StrategicCreditCoach.com

You will need to pay for shipping and handling, about six bucks. Up to 5 Free per office and two dollars for each additional one. This is below our cost, but we want to get the word out about how to improve your score and how to have financial disciplines.

Please link to us or post your comments. Thanks

For professional advise call us at (877) 825-7885 www.StrategicCreditCoach.com

Mission: We educate and coach people looking to improve their credit score and overall financial health so they are able to learn financial disciplines and achieve a more secure future.

Vision: To raise the standard of living for all people and inspire them to live their passions and dreams and have piece of mind.

Changes in Credit Score when Collection DLA gets updated...

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:21:14 -0500

Changes in Credit Score when Collection DLA gets updated...

There has been conflicting issues about what happens when a consumer pays off a collection and how after they pay it off their FICO score goes down. Common sense would say if you pay a bad debt off, that this is a good thing.

With my clients I've seen on several occasions where someone pays an old collection account and then (all other things being relatively equal) their score goes down because the (DLA) date of last activity gets updated.

So what really happens when you pay off a collection?

For years the collection issues has been a big deal. People would pay off the collection and the account would update a recent paid collection and the problem being that the last activity on this account was the day you paid it off. Let me explain further. Whenever you have a late pay any other derogatory account the FICO scoring model hits you the hardest right when it happens. As time goes by your credit will heal itself, like an open cut heals and makes a scab. But when this collection is paid off, the scoring system sees it as a fresh wound to your credit.

FICO has been working with the (CRAs) credit reporting agencies to make sure that the dates that were being updated were not the same dates used to date a collection.

The CRA’s still cannot catch the mishap in the wrongful changing of the collection because collection agencies are not that concerned about the consumer after they’ve paid them.

So, to solve the problem, you will have to either a professional credit coaching company like ours StrategicCreditCoach.com or you can do it yourself by disputing the inaccurate data on your credit report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act says you have the right to have your credit to be reported with 100% accuracy, so make sure to take action on improving your credit because the credit bureaus and collection agency aren’t going to be proactive.

Please link to us or post your comments. Thanks

For profesional advise call us at (877) 825-7885 StrategicCreditCoach.com

Mission: We educate and coach people looking to improve their credit score and overall financial health so they are able to learn financial disciplines and achieve a more secure future.

Vision: To raise the standard of living for all people and inspire them to live their passions and dreams and have piece of mind.

WHY CREDIT INQUIRIES CAN REALLY HARM YOU?

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:55:09 -0500

WHY CREDIT INQUIRIES CAN REALLY HARM YOU?

Have you ever had a client that is purchasing a home start doing credit inquiries during the transaction and next thing you their score is 25 to 50 points lower?

Do you want to know why credit inquiries affect your score so much? Read on.

Every day I’m confronted by one of my client about how they just applied for a credit card, car, mortgage or just about any credit inquiry that you can think of. The thing I tell them is that on our first credit coaching discussion I let them know not to do any inquiry without first pulling your score online and seeing what all 3 of your scores are. Next, I have them ask the creditor what is the qualifying score for their program, if their score is high enough they can let the creditor pull their credit, if it is too low the client should not apply.

Each day we receive credit offers for everything form cars to lower interest rates and none of these offers means you really qualify for them or pursue the indebtedness whatsoever. Don’t give into the marketing hype, “You are Pre-Approved for $25,000”, yes and you could also “Already Be a $1mm Winner”.

Regardless of the reason you respond to a credit offer, maybe a special occasion, an emergency, a once in a lifetime opportunity, you should always be aware that credit companies will immediately run a credit inquiry which may cause you, depending on your circumstances, to lose between 5 and 50+ points from your score.

Here’s what’s happening:

According to Fair Isaac & Company, the creator of the credit scoring model, the very process of applying for new credit makes up 10% of your credit score. For most people, this factor is one of the least understood aspects of the scoring system, and most of us have no idea how to protect ourselves. Therefore, let’s break it down.

There are two types of inquiries that you need to know about—soft inquiries and hard inquiries. Here’s the difference:

Soft Inquiries do NOT affect your credit score. Here are some examples of what would be considered soft inquiries:

When YOU pull your own credit
When one of your existing creditors does a periodic review of your credit. This is called an account review
When a creditor has purchased your name from the credit bureaus for the purposes of sending you some sort of credit solicitation in the mail. This is called a promotional inquiry
When an employer checks your credit before hiring you
When you apply for auto insurance
When a landlord checks your credit

Hard Inquiries DO affect your score. A hard inquiry occurs when you apply for a loan, a credit card, or any type of credit. Here are some examples of what can cause a hard inquiry to show up on your credit report:

Applying for:

a mortgage or home equity line of credit
an auto loan
a credit card
credit on the internet
a student loan
pre-approved” credit offers you receive in the mail
“instant credit” offers when you are at the shopping malls

Why do creditors even care about this?

You may be wondering why this information matters to your credit score. From a creditor’s point of view, consumers who are actively looking for credit, or have “excessively” shopped for credit in the past 12 months, are generally a higher credit risk than consumers who have not. In addition, the potential creditor has no idea that those inquiries have not resulted in a recent loan which could disqualify you from being approved.

Statistical studies also show that multiple inquiries can often be associated with a high risk of default and that distressed borrowers who are desperate for assistance are known to contact many lenders in hopes of finding someone who will approve them, whether they can afford the new credit line or not.

So How Can You Shop For Credit Without Hurting Your Score?

The good news is that Fair Isaac realized that consumer's shouldn't be penalized for something as logical as shopping around for the best interest rates before making buying a car or home, so they came up with something called De-Duplication. What it means is this.... Consumers can have their credit pulled by as many mortgage or auto lenders as they want within a 14 day period, and it will only be counted as one hard inquiry against their score. And even better news is that the new scoring model released by FICO has expanded the 14-day period to 45 days. Note: Not all lenders are using the new model yet, so it is best to be safe and do your shopping in a 14-day period.

SUMMARY: What you need to know

Hard inquiries will remain on your report for two years, but will only affect your score for one year
Hard Inquiries can cost anywhere from 3 to 50+ points. It all depends on how the rest of your factors are being managed. If you have a score below 640, an inquiry will cost you more points than someone with a 720 score
Multiple auto or mortgage inquiries in any 14-day period are counted as just one inquiry
The credit scoring system DOES NOT like third party credit card inquiries (i.e. Nordstums, Circuit City, etc.), so avoid discount offers from department stores. Saving 10% on your first purchase is probably not worth the credit hit
Finally, keep in mind that when you receive unsolicited mail that says, “You are Pre-Approved,” it does NOT mean you are pre-approved. As soon as you pick up the phone to call the creditor, they will pull credit and your score will go down immediately. Note: Inquiries for promotional cards are considered especially negative because it appears that the consumer is desperate.

How to Dispute Inquiries

In light of what we have discussed, it would be a good idea to check your credit report in order to unveil the impact of credit inquiries on your score.

Step 1 - Order Your Credit Reports & Scores
Order your credit report and score for all three national credit bureaus, Equifax,TransUnion and Experian. You should get your score from all three bureaus for two reasons. Each bureau may have slightly different information about you depending on which companies have reported to them on your accounts. Many lenders, especially mortgage lenders, look at all three of your FICO scores to determine whether to grant credit for everything from a car loan to a home loan to a credit card to a cell phone. Do not have a creditor pull your reports because you will lose points for a hard inquiry.

You can pull all three credit reports and scores from myfico.com, one of the three credit bureaus, or www.privacyguard.com. Please be sure to read terms and conditions of the Agreement.

Step 2- Verify the Data Being Reported About YOU
It is the consumer's responsibility to verify that the data being reported is accurate. Look toward the end of your credit report to find the inquiries that are being reported. If there are inquiries that you do not remember authorizing, then go to the next step.

Step 3- Dispute the Inaccurately Reported Information Immediately
Find the creditor address and contact information for each inquiry that you do not recognize. If you are unsure of whether or not it is a soft or hard inquiry, dispute it anyway. You have nothing to lose.

Conclusion:

It’s very important that you understand every aspect of your credit report. As you know now, new credit accounts for 10% of your credit score, and hard inquiries, which we now understand, is considered a component of the new credit quotient. Even though 10% sounds like a small number, it can become a very big deal, a huge deal, when it prevents us from obtaining the credit we need.

Your credit is not going to magically get better and the credit bureaus our not watching out for your best interests, so you must be proactive and take action even on what seems to be a small issue, small issues can end up being big problems when qualifying for a loan.

Please link to us or post your comments. Thanks

For profesional advise call us at (877) 825-7885 StrategicCreditCoach.com

Mission: We educate and coach people looking to improve their credit score and overall financial health so they are able to learn financial disciplines and achieve a more secure future.

Vision: To raise the standard of living for all people and inspire them to live their passions and dreams and have piece of mind.

An Encounter with Mr. Doomsday

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 02:09:28 -0500

An Encounter with Mr. Doomsday

I’ve been going to the same specialty coffee house for years and I have met many people that have become friends, clients and acquaintances.

I met a guy a couple of months ago while I was relaxing having a cup of coffee and he proceeded to tell me his grand ideas about his new project that he was going to sell to the affluent, and how he has it all planned out. As a Certified Business Coach, I thought I might give some helpful advice. He listened and agreed with what I had to say.

Then a month later I saw him again and asked him how his progress was, he told me he was still in planning mode, I came to find out that he had been planning this for years. After I realized he was just a drain on my time and breath (I’m not one for talkers, I like action), I decided to ignore him from then on.

Today I saw him again, I tried to act as if I did not see him but he started talking to me. I asked him how he was coming on his product and he said he’s not doing anything because we are all going to be wondering witlessly in the streets, homeless and desolate (sounds like something out of Lamentations in the Bible where the women were so desperate they eat their own children).

A perfectly good coffee break ruined, bummer. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I guess he thought our country has never had financial problems before. Yes, I know that we are deep in the hole and have some really bad habits, but this doesn’t mean we are bad people or we are not going to change our ways.

It is a dangerous thing to back someone into a corner because they will fight with all they have to get out of it. This pain we are experiencing is just what we need as a nation to start some powerful personal and national change.

We have been asleep at the wheel when it comes to how we as consumers handle our credit and finances. Now that we have been bombed with this meltdown of bad habits, I believe that we are waking up and starting to fight our way back. It may be a bloody fight, but one that we will win.

One of my favorite quotes:

"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."

Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

Mission: We educate and coach people looking to improve their credit score and overall financial health so they are able to learn financial disciplines and achieve a more secure future.

Vision: To raise the standard of living for all people and inspire them to live their passions and dreams and have piece of mind.

STRATEGIC CREDIT COACH

Web: www.StrategicCreditCoach.com

Email Jennifer at: Jennifer@StrategicCreditCoach.com

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

877-825-7885 (office)

877-825-0724 (fax)

LET’S TALK CREDIT REPAIR – WE WILL TRAIN YOUR OFFICE

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:36:11 -0500

LET’S TALK CREDIT REPAIR – WE WILL TRAIN YOUR OFFICE, FREE!

Give your Real Estate or Loan Broker office the edge!

Runtime: 90 minutes

National Trainer, radio personality, and passionate speaker Mickey O’Brien has daily interaction with consumers who have credit and overall financial health issues.

Mickey’s primary focus is to educate borrowers, Realtors and loan originators about subject of credit scoring and cleanup as well as their overall financial health.

Mickey takes the mystery out of how underwriters view the credit score, providing case studies and solutions to common challenges experienced by many borrowers. His unique approach sheds light on many misconceptions about credit scoring, with quick remedies to bring a score up by 50 points or more.

Mickey is a regular guest speaker for Lenders, Brokers and Title Companies and leaves the audience more educated and ready to close more deals. Mickey’s natural ability to answer questions on the fly and with ease provides a rich, one-on-one experience for all attendees.

Seminar for Loan Originators, Realtors and Lenders:

Our seminar directed to loan originators & Realtors covers the following topics:

- How to break down the credit score in a manner that borrowers will understand.

- The Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts on using credit once the loan process has begun.

- How to show borrowers where their score rates, and how much bad credit can cost.

- Using credit repair to CLOSE MORE DEALS!

- How FHA looks at the clients credit score

- Live Q & A.

Testimonials:

"Strategic Credit Coach has helped my client raise their scores to get loans and me to close more deals."

Chris W.

Thank you for you time. Your class was very helpful. I will send clients your way. I look forward to doing business with you.

D. White (Realtor)

Wow! The information provided is going to make a true difference for my clients & myself. being able to provide this tool is going to increase opportunity.

(Realtor)

Great information you shared! Accurate information about how FICO scoring works is KEY to my being able to serve my clients, and you have provided me with that!

D. Knowles (Lender)

I learned alot more than I thought I knew. This was a really helpful course that I will be referring all of my clients with challenge credit to you.

J. Carrol (Realtor)

I've been thru several classes like these from several different companies, and I still learned some more new info, thank you!

C. Washington

We also offer training classes for consumers, ask us for more information.

We look forward to our time together!

Strategic Credit Coach

Tel. (877) 825-7885 Fax (877) 825-0724

Jennifer@StrategicCreditCoach.com www.StrategicCreditCoach.com

Mission: We educate and coach people looking to improve their credit score and overall financial health so they are able to learn financial disciplines and achieve a more secure future.

Vision: To raise the standard of living for all people and inspire them to live their passions and dreams and have piece of mind.

Steps to keeping creditors happy and off your back

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:07:00 -0500

Steps to keeping creditors happy and off your back

If you can’t afford to pay your creditors what you owe, paying them at least something will keep them happy and off you back.
Be in good communication with each creditor and pay each one as much as you can.
Use the worksheet to determine how much you can send each creditor.
Send each creditor your budget, the payment, and this worksheet each month, even if they say they won’t accept it.

Determine how much to send each creditor

*First find out how much disposable income you have to work with after deducting monthly necessity expenses from monthly income.

Worksheet example:

ITEM	TOTAL PAYOFF	/ TOTAL DEBT	= . PERCENT	X DISPOSABLE INCOME	= NEW PAYMENTS
Dell	$1,200	/$2,000	=0.60	x $200	$120
CapOne	$300	/$2,000	=0.15	x $200	$30
Macy's	$200	/$2,000	=0.10	x $200	$20
HSBC	$100	/$2,000	=0.50	x $200	$10
Aspire	$200	/$2,000	=0.10	x $200	$20

PLEASE NOTE:

If your goal is to increase your credit scores in a short period of time for a particular purpose (ex: purchasing or refinancing a home) then this advice will not raise your scores but can actually lower your credit scores for a time. Different actions should be taken if you need immediate increases in credit scores.

The action you take depends on you goals.

If your goal is to keep creditors happy and off you back, then this advice will help to keep your creditors at bay for a time and lower your risk of being sued.

This may also help give you the time you need to get your financial affairs in order and formulate a plan as to how to actually pay your creditors off. (please see the “Steps to paying down debt” worksheet when ready to pay off debt )

For more information on how to get out of debt, how to keep creditors off your back, or how to improve your FICO score 50 Points in 90 days, then call us at 877-825-7885 or email guru@SCChelp.com

Strategic Credit Coach

Mission: We educate and coach people looking to improve their credit score and overall financial health so they are able to learn financial disciplines and achieve a more secure future.

Vision: To raise the standard of living for all people and inspire them to live their passions and dreams and have piece of mind.

Tour de France and Your FICO Score

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:18:31 -0500

Tour de France and Your FICO Score

I’m an avid watcher of the Tour de France and noticed a lot of similarities in the struggles of life’s finances and the grueling trials of the race.

This year during the Tour a racer, Cadel Evans crashed, completely wiped out, slammed against the road at over 40 miles per hour, his flesh being left spread across the road. (Doesn’t this sound like the financial struggles of 2007?)

Cadel picked himself up, with knee, shoulder, elbow all bloodied, and got right back on his replacement bike. Any normal person would have seen fit to quit and give up. (This sound a lot like what people think when their FICO score drops into no mans land.)

His team mates came back to help him pace his way back into the Pelaton (the main group of riders) and complete the 9^th stage of the Tour de France.

Today, in stage 10 of the Tour, Cadel with the help of his coach and team mates won the overall time lead in the race and is now in the prized Yellow Jersey.

When it comes to your credit and overall financial health, once you get knocked down and dragged through what feels like hell, you have to get back up and start riding the Tour of Financial Life again. We are here to help pace you into good credit and an overall financial health by coaching you and giving you the tools to complete this stage in your life.

Live Strong,

Jennifer O’Brien

Strategic Credit Coach

877-825-7885

Mission: We educate and coach people looking to improve their credit score and overall financial health so they are able to learn financial disciplines and achieve a more secure future.

Vision: To raise the standard of living for all people and inspire them to live their passions and dreams and have piece of mind.

Avoid credit repair scams

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:01:36 -0500

Avoid credit repair scams

Cleaning up your credit history could get you into more of a financial crunch if you hire the wrong company.

Here's how to not get conned.

These days’ banks are tightening up their guidelines and are clutching on tighter to the almighty dollar, making it harder to qualify for loans. This is a warning that some companies are using the credit crisis to take advantage of consumers who want to clean up their credit. Here are some top tips on avoiding these scams.

1: Get the skinny

According to the Better Business Bureau complaints against credit repair companies has risen 38% in the last three years.

Credit repair companies are popping up on the internet, direct mail, radio and other advertising media. Many of these companies are no more than letter writing campaigns that the client could have done themselves.

Many consumers are paying thousands of dollars for the services that make unrealistic promises and some companies are even promoting fraud having the client get a new Social Security number or paying to use someone else’s credit.

To start, you cannot remove accurate information from your credit report. Next, it is almost impossible to get a new SSN number. And as for buying someone else’s credit as an authorized user to raise your score, the credit bureaus have put a stop to that by changing their credit score cards compilations.

So the question is, is there a way to raise your credit score legally? The answer is yes! Hire a professional credit improvement and coaching company that helps you to manage your score in order to raise it as well as dispute the inaccurate negatives in which 78% of all reports have.

Strategic Credit Coach helps the client raise their score an average of 50 points over 90 days and does it many times without disputing a thing.

2: Know your rights

By law all credit repair companies should provide a client a copy of your consumer rights. This is a one-page document that tells you what your rights are if you dispute inaccurate information with credit repair companies.

Clients have the right to cancel a contract with any credit repair organization for any reason within three business days from the date the contract was signed, according to the Better Business Bureau.

3: Watch for Red Flags

A credit repair company should tell you your rights upfront, what you can do on your own, as well as what they are going to be doing for you.

Make sure you don't pay for any services upfront without providing you something for your money (i.e. are they providing any service or products before you pay them your hard earned cash?).

Don't do business with any company that encourages you to create an employer ID number instead of a social security number. And don't trust or believe offers that will let you use someone else's good credit.

Before working with a credit repair company, make sure you are referred by someone you trust or ask for referrals of satisfied customers.

4: Get legitimate help

So, if you have serious credit problems, make sure to get professional help and research your options.

Always try working with your creditors, don’t stick your head in the sand, stop the nutty cycle and seek professional help

At Strategic Credit Coach we are not a credit repair company, we are first a credit improvement coaching company that offers advice, tools, resources and unchanging truths to improve you credit and overall financial health.

Call us today at 877-825-7885 for a free consultation, or email guru@SCChelp.com

StrategicCreditCoach.com

Mission: We educate and coach people looking to improve their credit score and overall financial health so they are able to learn financial disciplines and achieve a more secure future.

Vision: To raise the standard of living for all people and inspire them to live their passions and dreams and have piece of mind.

Top 7 Things NOT To Do (The 7 Deadly Credit Sins)

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:37:27 -0500

Top 7 Things NOT To Do (The 7 Deadly Credit Sins)

1. Do NOT attempt to repair your credit without being properly informed. You need to do your research before attempting to repair your credit file or you may do more harm than good.

2. Do NOT file bankruptcy until you have consulted a professional or non-profit agency.

3. Do NOT cancel all of your accounts and consolidate all of your credit cards into one. This will most likely harm your credit. Attempt to pay them down to under 30% of the limit of the card. Start on the smaller ones and move your way up.

4. Do NOT put yourself in another poor financial situation by attempting to pay all your money to those accounts that have been charged off or closed by the credit grantor. Work with your creditors that still have credit lines opened with you and then negotiate the settlements of the charged-off and closed accounts when you are in a better financial situation.

5. Do NOT sign up with a Credit Counseling Company (CCC) without doing your research. This can be disastrous to your credit and often times you can do the same thing on your own without the credit pitfalls.

6. Do NOT spend your time writing those 100 word explanations for the credit bureaus. It is a waste of your time and does NOT affect your credit score. Your time would be better spent crafting a letter explaining the reasons why your credit took a dive. Then keep a copy of the letter on file in order to provide it to future creditors that may want an explanation.

7. Do NOT attempt to create a new Social Security number or an EIN number to start a new credit file. This absolutely does NOT work and by the way, it's illegal!

Do NOT wait! Every moment that passes you by is time lost. Credit improvement is a lengthy process. Mind you, it can be done relatively quickly based on your predicament, but the longer you wait, the longer you will be in a state of panic every time someone attempts to run your credit. Act fast and Act Now!

Do check out our website at www.StrategicCreditCoach.com, it’s loaded with information

Do give us a call, we’re ready to help as soon as you’re ready to get started and answer any questions you may have. (877) 825-8775

Mission: We educate and coach people looking to improve their credit score and overall financial health so they are able to learn financial disciplines and achieve a more secure future.

Vision: To raise the standard of living for all people and inspire them to live their passions and dreams and have piece of mind.

How Do I Negotiate a Debt

Jennifer O'Brien (Strategic Credit Coach) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:30:38 -0500

How Do I Negotiate a
Settlement in a Debt Case?

I AM BEING SUED. IS IT TOO LATE TO WORK OUT A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT? No. The parties can agree to settle a case at anytime before the judge enters a final ruling.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF SETTLING A CASE?

The settlement amount is generally less than the amount being sought or the amount being claimed in the complaint.

It saves you time: you often have to return to court numerous times before a case is resolved by the court.

You can negotiate a payment arrangement over time (not the most favorable as this causes the debt to refresh as new debt), pay in full (with a possible agreement to stop negative reporting), or settle for less (which may not result in a deletion agreement, but will at least be paid)

You can avoid having a judgment entered, which often shows up on your credit report, and can put you at risk of having your bank account frozen.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF SETTLING A CASE?

It is possible that you will end up with an unfavorable settlement because of pressure and deceptive tactics by certain creditors and their attorneys.

In some situations, you may not have a legal obligation to pay the debt, and if you proceed with the case, you may be absolved of the debt. For example, if you receive public assistance, supplemental security income, social security disability, or other government benefits, it is likely that the creditors cannot enforce a money judgment against you; therefore, it would be better to proceed with the case, rather than to settle.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS I NEED TO BE AWARE OF WHEN NEGOTIATING A SETTLEMENT?

Make a budget and determine your BOTTOM LINE before going into a settlement conference.

Be aware that sometimes creditors will accept a settlement agreement of less money if you can give them the sum in one lump payment.

NEVER make the first offer. DO NOT share your bottom line right away.

Only agree to terms that you feel are reasonable or that you can comply with.

Never agree to a settlement out of fear or pressure.

Make sure that you understand EVERY TERM in the settlement.

Obtain any agreement in writing, and make sure that it is mailed to you.

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For profesional advise call us at (877) 825-7885 StrategicCreditCoach.com

Mission: We educate and coach people looking to improve their credit score and overall financial health so they are able to learn financial disciplines and achieve a more secure future.

Vision: To raise the standard of living for all people and inspire them to live their passions and dreams and have piece of mind.