"A bad credit report can prevent you from getting a mortgage car loan credit card apartment or even a job. The sensible strategies in [this book] help you take control of your finances clean up your credit report and rebuild your credit. Learn how to: prioritize debts and create a budget; reduce debts and cut expenses; negotiate with creditors; correct credit report errors and remove old information; add positive information to your credit report; adopt strategies to rebuild your credit; and avoid identity theft and credit repair scams. Updates to [this] 13th edition include the latest student loan repayment programs new credit-building strategies changes to the credit scoring of tax liens medical debt and civil judgments identity theft reporting developments and more"--Back cover.