Your Credit Today

What are you doing with your tax return this year? Before you do anything, in this episode of "Your Credit Today," Angela challenges the common advice of using your tax refund to pay off credit card debt and offers smart, strategic alternatives. Discover how to break the cycle of debt and make smarter money moves for long-term financial success.

• Understand why relying on a tax refund to pay off debt isn't solving the core financial problem.
• Learn about the importance of investing in yourself and starting an emergency fund with your tax refund.
• Discover how to create a monthly plan to tackle expenses and reduce debt consistently.
• Explore the potential for using your tax refund to invest in your future and strategic opportunities.
• Gain insights into reworking your budget for financial control rather than just debt relief.

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00:00 In "Your Credit Today," host Angela Setters Bessard advises against using tax refunds to pay off credit card debt and offers alternatives for long-term financial success. Subscribe for tips on better financial management.

04:14 Don't rely solely on tax refunds to manage debt; instead, change financial habits and consider investing in yourself.

08:52 Plan and invest wisely to secure your financial future, regardless of income level.

10:40 Plan yearly to avoid financial pitfalls and ensure cash flow covers debts.

16:08 Coaching her to track spending daily on a whiteboard was healing, revealing unconscious spending habits.

18:04 Modern finance is digital and accessible, requiring discipline and awareness of spending, savings, and taxes, regardless of wealth.

21:31 Stay focused on your goals, remove negative influences, and make smart financial decisions.

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Reset your financial situation and make 2025 your best financial year yet with Angela Setters Bessard, the real credit queen. Dive into essential strategies to refresh your credit, manage your debt, and revamp your budget.

• Learn how to effectively check and update all three of your credit reports.
• Discover methods to consolidate and manage credit card debt, including using balance transfer cards and personal loans.
• Understand the importance of increasing your credit limits and maintaining positive credit history.
• Uncover the snowball and avalanche methods for tackling debt repayment.
• Refresh your budget focusing on cutting unnecessary spending and automating your savings and investments.

00:00 Reset your credit score to improve finances.

05:49 Ensure personal information on your credit report is accurate and up-to-date, including addresses and social security number. Consider using a P.O. Box for stability if you're renting.

08:29 File disputes with all three credit agencies to improve your middle credit score.

13:03 Apply for multiple zero percent interest balance transfer cards on the same day. Research card terms carefully and plan to pay them off diligently to avoid debt. Keep credit card usage under 30% and use them every 90 days to maintain good credit relationships.

17:25 Pay your credit card balances to avoid debt snowballing and maintain good relationships with creditors.

19:54 Increase credit limits to manage debt better and improve your financial standing for future credit needs.

24:35 Choose the snowball method to pay off small debts first for motivation or the avalanche method to pay high-interest debts first to save money, depending on your financial needs.

27:41 Re-evaluate your budget, cut unnecessary expenses, focus on debt repayment and savings, pay yourself first, and do tax planning.

29:38 Automate savings and 401k contributions; allocate income: 50% to needs (rent, bills), plan and document finances.

32:41 Refresh your credit, pay down debt, and set financial goals by checking credit reports, choosing a debt plan, and creating a strategy.

If you found this episode helpful, save it, share it, and don’t forget to subscribe for more empowering conversations about building credit, wealth, and financial confidence

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Angela, The Real Credit Queen, invites her husband, Ralph Bessard, to discuss the critical aspects of managing finances within a relationship. They share their journey through the peaks and valleys of financial management together, and the importance of teamwork, financial self-love, and repairing relationships with money.

Angela and Ralph draw from their rich personal and professional experiences and share actionable insights into building a successful financial partnership.

Financial challenges and misunderstandings are common in relationships, yet open communication and strategic planning can transform these obstacles into opportunities for growth.

Angela and Ralph discuss their early experiences of navigating life together, offering practical advice for young couples looking to establish a strong financial foundation.

By focusing on financial self-awareness and aligning individual and joint financial goals, couples can thrive both personally and financially. This episode is filled with essential advice for integrating love and money, fostering transparency, and strategically planning for a prosperous future.

• Teamwork and Communication: Successful financial management in a relationship relies heavily on understanding each other's strengths and creating an open, communicative partnership.
• Individual Financial Identity: Each partner should maintain their credit identity while working together, which can provide a safety net and individual security.
• Transparent Financial Discussions: Openly discussing financial habits, knowledge, and goals is vital for avoiding misunderstandings and developing mutual financial strategies.
• Investment in Relationships: Finances are an integral part of relationship-building that should involve both partners equally, supporting each other's aspirations and growth.
• Love and Finances Connection: Emphasizing financial self-love and strategic planning can enhance relationship stability and prevent financial issues from causing discord.
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If you found this episode helpful, save it, share it, and don’t forget to subscribe for more empowering conversations about building credit, wealth, and financial confidence

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you found this episode helpful, save it, share it, and don’t forget to subscribe for more empowering conversations about building credit, wealth, and financial confidence

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• The Emotional Side of Money: Angela delves into how past financial struggles and emotional trauma can shape current financial behaviors. She explores how many people associate money with fear and anxiety, stemming from experiences of financial hardship or even generational patterns.

• Recognizing and Changing Financial Patterns: Angela highlights common financial habits, like avoidance of budgeting, fear of tracking expenses, and overspending, showing how to recognize and break these patterns. She emphasizes practical tools, like tracking expenses visually (even on a whiteboard), to help individuals become more conscious of their spending.

• Building Financial Confidence Through Mindset Shifts: Angela provides strategies for reframing financial setbacks as growth opportunities, teaching listeners to view their financial journey as one of empowerment. By setting small, achievable goals, she encourages her audience to rebuild confidence step-by-step.

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• Breakdown of credit score components: debt-to-credit ratio, payment history, and credit mix.
• Common credit pitfalls to avoid, like maxing out cards and missing payments.
• Proactive tips for managing and improving your credit score.
• Long-term benefits of strong credit health for personal and financial goals.
• Encouragement to view credit as a powerful asset for financial security.

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• Setting holiday spending goals: The importance of planning ahead to avoid last-minute financial stress.
• Embracing mindful gift-giving: How creative, heartfelt gifts can reduce spending while bringing deeper meaning.
• Avoiding impulse buys: Tips for resisting holiday sales and setting spending boundaries.
• Post-holiday recovery strategies: How to plan for financial recovery in the new year, including budgeting tips and debt management.
• Angela’s encouragement to make the holiday season financially fulfilling without overspending.

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Angela Setters-Bessard, The Real Credit Queen, dives deep into equipping teens with financial literacy. Learn strategies to teach your kids about bank accounts, managing credit, and avoiding debt pitfalls. Discover the benefits of authorized user status, secured and student credit cards, and the pros and cons of co-signing. Angela also shares practical tips on paying bills on time and using credit responsibly. This episode is filled with actionable advice to set your kids up for a successful financial future. Don't miss her expert insights!

Timestamp Summary

1:00 Teaching Teens Financial Literacy and Credit Management

4:00 Bank Accounts and Credit Cards

7:00 Teaching Financial Literacy to Prepare Kids for the Real World

9:00 Building Credit Through Authorized User Status and Responsible Practices

12:00 Empowering Teens with Credit Responsibility

15:00 Financial Literacy with Credit Cards

18:00 Debt and Credit Card Misconceptions

19:00 Benefits of Co-Signing for Loans

22:00 Responsibility

24:00 Teaching Financial Literacy to Future Generations

Thank you for listening to "Your Credit Today." If you have not yet subscribed, please do so and share this valuable information with your friends and family. For personalized assistance, feel free to email Angela at [email protected] or online at angelabessard.com.

If you require a speaker to provide expert Creducation to your organization, do not hesitate to reach out. My goal is to help you master your credit, enabling you to take proactive steps towards a secure financial future.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Real Credit Queen, Angela Setters-Bessard leaves out no details this week on why it's so crucial to understand credit and budgeting when you’re up for a big purchase like a car.

This episode isn’t just about credit scores. Angela covers the whole picture of financial prep, the traps to avoid, and some smart budgeting hacks. She chats about key things like how your credit score affects car loan interest rates, why you might need gap insurance, and the sneaky fees that can come with car servicing and insurance.

Angela uses real-life client stories and examples to drive home the need for solid financial planning. From explaining why the 70/30 debt ratio matters to warning about potential pitfalls like insurance lapses and lease return fees, she’s got practical tips and actionable advice. Angela’s mission? Simple: to guide you in making choices that will keep your credit and financial future safe.

1:00 Essential Tips for Leasing or Purchasing a Car

3:00 Budgeting and Credit Score Tips for Car Purchases

8:00 The Importance of Gap Insurance When Financing a Car

16:00 Essential Steps for Returning a Leased Car

19:00 The Importance of Monitoring Insurance Payments and Bank Statements

22:00 Essential Steps for Young Drivers After an Accident

23:00 Car Lease Extension Troubles During COVID

26:00 Budgeting and Pitfalls in Leasing or Purchasing a Car

Thank you for listening to "Your Credit Today." If you have not yet subscribed, please do so and share this valuable information with your friends and family. For personalized assistance, feel free to email Angela at [email protected] or online at angelabessard.com.

If you require a speaker to provide expert Creducation to your organization, do not hesitate to reach out. My goal is to help you master your credit, enabling you to take proactive steps towards a secure financial future.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The team sheds light on how they provide personalized credit management, focusing on building relationships and creating impactful experiences that lead to long-term results. Learn about their commitment to customer service, education, and the meticulous process they follow to ensure every client feels empowered and informed.

This episode highlights how they create tailored strategies for individual clients based on their specific needs and credit histories. They also discuss the distinction between their company and typical credit repair services, focusing on credit education and management to empower clients for long-term success. Holistically the team is committed to achieve the best possible outcomes for their clients.

If you're seeking credit advice and management tips, don't miss out on this insightful discussion.

00:00 Client experiences drive referrals; no advertising needed.

05:04 Focus on relationships, not just customer service.

06:44 Always available to help with credit questions.

12:24 Empowering clients through credit education

14:34 Committing fully to each client, debt management process.

16:46 Customized credit management tailored to individual needs

19:56 Persist despite repeated setbacks to achieve success.

Thank you for listening to "Your Credit Today." If you have not yet subscribed, please do so and share this valuable information with your friends and family. For personalized assistance, feel free to email Angela at [email protected] or online at angelabessard.com.

If you require a speaker to provide expert Creducation to your organization, do not hesitate to reach out. My goal is to help you master your credit, enabling you to take proactive steps towards a secure financial future.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.