Judgement credit report

The National Retail Federation compared 2009 holiday shopping trends over 2008 and found credit-healthy and frugal are ruling consumers’ attitudes this Christmas. More consumers are planning to use cash than plastic when checking off their Christmas gift list, and there has been a dip in big ticket purchases like electronics and jewelry and a surge in cost-conscious gift categories like food and candy. This is expected given that the economy is still recovering, jobs remain scarce, and issuers are continuing credit card fee increases and credit limit cutbacks into the new year.

If you want to jump on this bandwagon of financially-fit shoppers, first jump into the helpful articles below for your credit report updates and personal finance needs.

Personal Finance News

• Scrooge teaches us to donate to charities, The Grinch reminds us Christmas isn’t about the presents, and 10 more money tips from holiday ‘experts’ at Bankrate.com.
• Wealth Pilgrim reveals the 5 best mistakes he ever made, and how they helped him with his personal finances.
• CNNMoney helps you stick with your financial diet with some strategies on how to avoid the risks of ditching your diet in 2010.
• What can be done in the next three months to get closer to my goals? Read all 4 questions you need to ask yourself to achieve your financial goals, brought to you by Gather Little By Little.
• Wall Street Journal suggests we try Christmas saving, not Christmas shopping, with some reasons to skip your next shopping trip.

Credit Reports & Credit Scores News

• The first of 9 steps for establishing credit is to establish credit relationships with banks and lenders. Read all the steps at Rich Credit Debt Loan’s blog.
• Herald Online answers the question, do credit scores matter in today’s world?
• Interested in loan modification but not sure what it will do to your credit? Check out No Debt Plan’s guide to loan modification and the affect on your credit score.
• MSNBC reports that the collapse in consumer credit may slow recovery.
• Ever wondered how many points it will cost you on your credit score if you maxed out your credit card? Or declared bankruptcy? Or had a late payment? ptMoney blogs credit score secrets revealed: FICO Negative Points.