December 2021: Happy Holidays!

 

A Lesson in Credit Scores

As we're in full swing of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be easy to fall into the mindset that you have to spend lots of money and buy lots of gifts for your loved ones. This mindset drives 22% of Americans to go into over $550 in debt every year! [source] And if you’re using credit cards, it could potentially be more with penalties, late fees, and finance charges. All of this could lead to damaging your creditworthiness.

While there are some benefits to using credit cards, like cash back bonuses and other incentives, if you don’t feel confident in your ability to pay back the loan, don’t use a card.

Check out our roundup of low-cost gifts that your loved ones are sure to appreciate and stay out of the cycle of debt!

No Cost Gifts

• Create a playlist of your favorite songs and listen to it together.
• Regift an item from your home. Chances are you have something you're not using that a loved one would cherish!
• Make dinner and enjoy conversation and spending time with one another.
• Create a memories jar and write down your favorite memories. When they are missing you they can pull out a memory that makes them smile!
• Give the gift of time nothing is more important that spending time together, why not gift that very thing!
• Offer to babysit if they need a night out free from kids.
• Plan a scavenger hunt that sends them around to all their favorite places!

These are REAL results!

Our custom credit disputes leverage the consumer protection laws and the credit bureaus’ automated codes to help remove or correct any unverifiable items.

As a client, we dispute accounts with the bureaus and creditors on your behalf. Using our years of experience, we utilize the tools you need to move your case forward and the results you are looking for.

You too can improve your creditworthiness.

• Credit Consulting
• Credit Report Audit 
• Credit Disputes
• Credit Education 

New Federal Debt Collection Rule

It’s been five years coming, but the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has finalized the two parts of its debt collection rule under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This regulation went into effect November 30, 2021.

The new regulation, known as Regulation F, has a number of implications for creditors as well as regulating third-party debt collectors.

Now you may be wondering, how will this affect you? We’re here to help! Get in touch with your questions and we’re happy to answer them.

View more from Business Law Today

Give us a call today to start your credit repair journey!

Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.(804) 823-9601 |  (800) 648-5157

mail@creditrestorationinstitute.com

November 2021: Happy Thanksgiving!

 A Lesson in Credit Scores

By now you know that your credit score can affect you in multiple ways, not just in your purchasing power but also mentally and emotionally. But what even is a credit score composed of?

Three independent credit bureaus exist and create credit reports and any creditor looking to lend you  money will consult with these credit bureaus to decide if you are creditworthy.

• Experian

• TransUnion

• Equifax

These credit bureaus create reports that produce a three-digit number you’ll know as a credit score. A credit score takes into consideration all of your credit report information and provides a number that is easy for lenders to interpret and minimizes the possibility of bias.

1. The number of credit card accounts you have and the borrowing limits and current balances.
2. The amounts of any loans you’ve taken out and how much of them you’ve paid back.
3. Monthly payments on your accounts and whether they were made on time, late, or missed.
4. Severe financial setbacks, if any, including mortgage foreclosures, car repossessions, and bankruptcies.

There are different models used that provide you with a credit score, such as FICO Score and VantageScore, but they both associate a better credit history with a higher score, and assign a lower score to those with lower creditworthiness.

Want to know more about your credit score? Receive a FREE credit evaluation today!

October 2021 Newsletter: Bad Credit is Scary!

 

A message from Robert Linkonis Sr., Executive Director

You know what's scary? Nearly 2 in 3 adults (64%) say that money is a significant source of stress in their life [source]. Credit-worthiness has a huge affect on our mental health and it can be daunting to navigate the world of credit restoration without support.

Possibly scarier, until recently there was no scientific evidence to support what many individuals feel on a daily basis due to poor credit: anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts. We now have proof that debt is a financial stressor associated with these psychological and physiological behaviors [Dr. C.K. Hughes (2021) The Impact of Credit Worthiness].

With us, you’ll have access to trained credit experts who can answer your questions and help you make sense of the complexities of credit.

Get in touch and receive a FREE credit evaluation today!

Breaking the cycle of bad credit is a difficult and long process.

You can work to pay down your credit balances and ask about an increase to your credit limit (not to charge more, but to lower your credit utilization ratio!) but these things can take a long time to make a difference.

Checking your credit report for errors and disputing accounts with incorrect or unverifiable items is how we can help you! But we won’t stop there. We will work with you to create a personalized action plan to tackle your bad credit. We follow along with you every step of the way to see the completion of the plan. We know how bad credit scores can affect every aspect of your life and we want to see you reach your financial goals!

Celia L. Powell, CPA is an accountant and consultant, practicing professionally beginning in 2009. Celia brings a unique approach to her accounting practice by utilizing mindfulness practices along with traditional business methods to support her clients as they transform and manage their finances. Celia focuses on going beyond the numbers to help her clients reach both their life and financial goals.

Celia received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York at New Paltz, 1986. She received Certified Public Accountant’s license from the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2009 and has been in private practice since then, serving non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals.

Ms Powell, most recently began an online platform, used to teach, coach and inspire others to create a financial vision for their money and ultimately become the CEO of their lives.

Give us a call today to start your credit repair journey!

Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.(804) 823-9601 |  (800) 648-5157

mail@creditrestorationinstitute.com

September Newsletter 2021

 

Debt is considered a financial stressor, and is associated with a multitude of psychological, physiological, and general health concerns such as anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and even suicidal behaviors. Dr. C. K. Hughes (2021). The Impact of Creditworthiness on Financial Well-Being, Anxiety, Depression, Hopelessness, and Suicide. [Journal of Accounting and Finance Vol. 21] Omega Graduate School.

Whether it is for a home loan or car financing, we know the frustrations you go through when trying to get inaccurate information removed from your credit reports. We know that these inaccuracies end up as a roadblock to getting credit needs addressed properly.

With us, you’ll have access to trained credit experts who can answer your questions and help you make sense of the complexities of credit.

Get in touch and receive a FREE credit evaluation today!

Wow! These are real results! Our custom credit disputes leverage the consumer protection laws and the credit bureaus’ automated codes to help remove or correct any unverifiable items.

As a client, we dispute accounts with the bureaus and creditors on your behalf. Using our years of experience, we utilize the tools you need to move your case forward and the results you are looking for.

Here at Credit Restoration Institute, we will work with you to create a personalized action plan to tackle your bad credit. We follow along with you every step of the way to see the completion of the plan. We know how bad credit scores can affect every aspect of your life and we want to see you reach your financial goals!

Mark Your Calendar!

Get advice on how to establish or repair your business credit as well as funding advice from a credit repair expert!

REGISTRATION FEE: $30

Attendance includes access to a recording of the webinar, as well as copies of all slides and handouts.

Webinar attendees will receive an email with secure log-in instructions prior to the session. You'll be able to submit questions for the speaker during the presentation, and all attendees will receive the full presentation afterward.

Give us a call today to start your credit repair journey!

Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.(804) 823-9601 |  (800) 648-5157

mail@creditrestorationinstitute.com

 

August 2021 Newsletter

A message from Robert Linkonis Sr., Executive Director Congratulations Dr. Cathie Hughes!

Credit-worthiness has a huge affect on our mental health. For many, having access to basic human needs relies heavily on your credit score. If you have good credit, it may not be something you think about, but those with no credit or credit scores that are less than stellar face higher levels of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. Until recently, there was no scientific evidence to support what many individuals feel on a daily basis. Congratulations to Dr. Cathie Hughes, whose paper, The Impact of Creditworthiness on Financial Well-Being, Anxiety, Depression, Hopelessness, and Suicide was published this past July in the Journal of Accounting and Finance. Here at Credit Restoration Institute, we will work with you to create a personalized action plan to tackle your bad credit. We follow along with you every step of the way to see the completion of the plan. We know how bad credit scores can affect every aspect of your life and we want to see you reach your financial goals!! Credit Education Credit Consulting Credit Report Audit Credit Disputes Cathie Hughes, Ph.D. Director Credit Restoration Institute Dr. Cathie Hughes is the Director of The Credit Restoration Institute. Dr. Hughes also serves as the Chief Academic Officer and Dean of Faculty for Omega Graduate school, is a Professor of doctoral social research, communication and leadership courses, and dissertation preparatory courses. She is a transformational leader who thinks strategically, motivates people to achieve business objectives, builds trusted relationships, collaborates across diverse and multi-functional & multi-cultural teams, and focuses on outcomes, customers, and growth. As a thought leader with strong communication and presentation skills, she contributes to a culture of innovation, collaboration, and partnership, with a willingness to proactively coach, mentor, facilitate, share knowledge, model, and advocate initiatives for positive change.  Give us a call today to start your credit repair journey! Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.(804) 823-9601 |  (800) 648-5157 mail@creditrestorationinstitute.com

A message from Robert Linkonis Sr., Executive Director

What is Credit Repair?

You may find yourself asking, so what exactly is credit repair? Credit Repair is disputing accounts and entries on your credit report that are inaccurate and unverifiable. We dispute these errors directly at the source with the credit bureaus and creditors.

Nearly 2 in 3 adults (64%) say that money is a significant source of stress in their life. [source]

Here at Credit Restoration Institute, we will work with you to create a personalized action plan and follow along with you to see the completion of the plan. We want to see you reach your financial goals!

Credit Report Audit Credit Disputes

Credit Education Credit Consulting

Executive Director Robert Linkonis, Sr. has spent the last 30 years fixing errors and inaccurate information on credit reports and cannot see himself doing anything differently.

Seeing people’s lives change for the better is what keeps Robert going. “Good credit reduces depression and hopeless feelings. Good credit increases one’s financial well-being and empowers individuals and families.”

Robert loves to travel and spend time with his beautiful wife Nancy. He is blessed with three amazing children and a gorgeous three year old granddaughter.

Give us a call today to start your credit repair journey!
Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(804) 823-9601 |  (800) 648-5157
mail@creditrestorationinstitute.com