The painless way to manage credit in todays financial landscape People with great credit scores are getting turned down for credit cards & loans for homes & cars. What do they need besides a good score? What are lenders looking for now that they are extremely risk-averse? Repairing broken or damaged credit is one thing but having to meet todays much stiffer credit standards requiring that consumers consistently manage their credit is another thing all together. Credit Management Kit For Dummies gives you answers to these questions & insight into these concerns & also walks you down the correct path to credit application approval. Youll discover major changes with the Credit CARD (Credit Accountability Responsibility & Disclosure) Act provisions & the new Consumer Financial Protection Legislation Agency; the effect of tightened credit markets on those with good marginal or bad credit; new rules & programs including Hope & Government options via the Obama Administration; the best ways to recover from mortgage related credit score hits; tips for minimizing damage after walking away from a home; credit score examples with new ranges; & much more.* The pros & cons of credit counselors* The quickest & most effective way to undo damage from identity theft* Advice & tips about adding information to a credit report & beefing-up thin credit* Guidance for evaluating your Credit Score in todays economy* Fannie Maes revised guidelines for purchasing mortgages* Information on significant others (boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse) & credit & debt sharing* IRS exceptions to the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act in a mortgage meltdown situation Not just for those who have bad credit & need to repair it Credit Management Kit For Dummies also serves as an invaluable resource for those with average credit who want or need to manage it to get a job reduce insurance costs qualify for banking products & more.