Tag Archives: their credit

Filing for bankruptcy can be the first step to restoring your credit

So, a Fresno bankruptcy can actually start you on the way to good credit? This is a critical question to ask your Fresno Bankruptcy Attorney. First of all, you need to understand that the old adage: “the bigger they are – the harder they fall.” Comes into play here.

If your credit is in the 700’s or higher. It is true that your credit is going to take a significant drop after filing for bankruptcy. However, most people that file bankruptcy have been struggling to keep up their payments for a long time. So their credit is already in the 500’s or so.

The way credit companies rate your credit has to do with the high balances you carry on your credit cards and how many slow pays that show up on your credit report. Once you file for bankruptcy, the balances are wiped to zero and the credit companies can no longer report any late payments.

So your credit slate has been wiped clean. Typically a person will see a big drop in their credit for a short time, but as you start to make smart financial decisions your credit will begin to grow. Your late payments no longer appear and you don’t show high balances.

People often receive an offer for a credit card within 6 to 9 months of filing for bankruptcy. Of course the rates are very high. If you choose to to accept a credit card, be careful! Only use the credit card for gas and incidentals and pay it off every month.

After a year or so, you’ll be able to purchase a car on credit. But don’t run out and purchase the car of your dreams. Look at that car as a credit tool. Buy a car that represents very affordable monthly payments that you can pay off in three years. Remember, this car is not your dream car. It’s a car to get you back into the American Dream. It will help you re-establish credit.

In conclusion, people often ask if bankruptcy will ruin their credit. The true fact is, most people already have bad credit and the quickest way to start a new credit life is through a thoughtful bankruptcy.

Obviously, each person needs to make the decision to declare bankruptcy with caution and with sound legal advise. We suggest you contact a Bankruptcy Attorney in Fresno to explore all of your options.

You can contact the Winter Law Group at

Why do credit card companies target college students?

Many credit card companies see the marketing potential in college students. Credit card companies use promotional offers and free gifts like t-shirts, coffee mugs, or CDs to entice students on signing up for their company.

Have you ever asked why? Loyalty is a good reason. Credit card companies are competing to be the first credit card that the student will own. By being their first credit card, it is very likely that even when they graduate from college and enter the corporate world, students will be upgrading their credit cards with the same credit card company.

Students are Big Spenders
Aside from this, college students are great spenders. Let’s face it, credit card companies love customers who spend much using their credit cards. The more a person uses his credit card, the better it is for the business. And students are usually prone to over spending or using their credit cards excessively not just for their school necessities but on luxuries as well.

Despite the fact that college students are still in school and most do not have stable jobs to finance them, credit card companies are still doing everything to encourage these students on obtaining a student credit card. Furthermore, credit card companies are encouraging students to use their credit cards as often as they can.

Regardless of whether a student can afford to pay it or not, credit cards are willing to take the risk. Why? Because they can simply charge additional costs on the customer’s account if they fail to make their payments on time. For instance, credit card companies profit from charging interest rates and penalty fees on their customers. Obviously, customers who fail to pay their balances promptly pay more even if it takes them some time to repay their bill. In the end, the credit card company is still the one who benefits.

Students Need Credit
It is also interesting to know that students will do everything in order to repay their credit card debts. Although, students may fall behind on their payments, they will still find some way to pay off their debts especially as they are about to graduate and find employment. Students may get a part-time job, get a student loan, or borrow from their parents or relatives the money to get off their credit card debts.

Students need to clean up their credit report from any unimpressive records. They need to boost their credit rating so that future employers and creditors can find them worthy of their approval. Thus, credit card companies know that whatever happens, students will find a way to settle their credit card debts sooner or later.

In view of this, it is up to the students on how they will use their student credit cards to their advantage. Credit card companies do not have to be the only ones to profit. A student credit card can provide great help and support during a student’s college years as long as the student knows how to manage his finances responsibly.