Online Class: Understanding and Managing Your Personal Credit

Unlock the secrets of credit with our expert-guided course, designed to help you understand credit scores' impact and manage loans effectively to break free from debt cycles. Learn to read credit reports and embrace budgeting essentials to truly achieve financial independence.

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$120.00
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$120.00 (with CEU Certificate)
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  • 15
    Lessons
  • 29
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 5
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.5
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

Mastering Credit Management: Your Guide to Financial Freedom

In today's complex financial landscape, credit plays a pivotal role in shaping our lifestyle choices, aspirations, and opportunities. From buying a dream home, driving the latest car, or navigating day-to-day expenses, credit undeniably influences our financial trajectory. However, an overwhelming number of individuals find themselves ensnared in the complexities of credit, often leading to a suffocating cycle of debt that feels almost insurmountable.

While falling into debt might seem easy, especially given today's economic challenges, climbing out of it demands dedication, knowledge, and the right strategy. Our course provides an illuminating path to not only managing but mastering your credit, offering you the tools and insights to regain control of your financial well-being.

Recent data highlights an alarming trend: an increasing number of individuals are leveraging credit to sustain their lifestyles, pushing them closer to financial precarity. But it's never too late to turn things around. Your financial destiny is in your hands, and with the right guidance, you can shift from feeling submerged in debt to standing tall on solid financial ground.

Course Overview:

  • Understanding Credit: Dive deep into the very essence of credit—how it works, its implications, and its importance in our daily lives.

  • Deciphering Credit Scores: Learn what goes behind that three-digit number, from how it's calculated to its profound impact on your borrowing capabilities.

  • Credit Influence Factors: Grasp the myriad elements that can sway your credit score, from loan applications to payment histories.

  • Navigating Credit Cards: Unpack the intricacies of credit cards—the boon and bane of modern finance.

  • Demystifying Foreclosure and Bankruptcy: Understand these dire financial situations, their causes, implications, and ways to navigate them.

  • Decoding Debt to Income Ratio: Learn how this crucial ratio can influence your borrowing potential and ways to optimize it.

  • The Debt Spiral: Recognize the early signs of this treacherous cycle and strategies to prevent its onset.

  • Guidance on Debt Counseling & Consolidation: Discover professional avenues to manage and reduce your debt effectively.

  • Living Within Your Means: Embrace sustainable financial habits that prioritize needs over wants.

  • Budgeting Essentials: Master the art of crafting and adhering to a budget, ensuring every dollar is accounted for.

  • Staying Financially Disciplined: Cultivate habits and mindsets that safeguard you from future debt pitfalls.

  • Navigating Credit Reports: Learn to read, interpret, and utilize these crucial financial documents to your advantage.

  • Rectifying Credit Errors: Equip yourself with the knowledge to identify and rectify inaccuracies that could be pulling your credit score down.

Rebuilding and maintaining a strong credit profile isn't a sprint but a marathon. It demands consistent effort, informed decisions, and sometimes even a touch of sacrifice. However, the rewards—a stress-free financial life, enhanced borrowing capabilities, and a sense of accomplishment—are truly invaluable.

Our course amalgamates expert knowledge, actionable strategies, and real-life examples to empower you with a roadmap to credit excellence. Having already assisted countless individuals in enhancing their credit scores and reshaping their financial destinies, we're confident that with commitment and our guidance, you too can experience the liberating feeling of financial freedom.

Join us on this transformative journey and reshape your financial future. Your path to credit mastery starts here.

  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

Lesson 1. The Intricacies of Credit: Enabling Opportunities and Empowerment

The role of credit in contemporary society stretches from individual finances to national economic stability, with creditworthiness serving as the key metric for accessing these resources. A strategic approach to handling credit—through timely payments and informed choices—can greatly influence financial well-being and access to better financial instruments. 19 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: An Introduction
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 1 : What Is Credit?
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Review Exam

Lesson 2. Decoding Credit Scores: Your Financial Fingerprint

While credit scores assess the risk for lenders, they also have broader impacts, influencing factors such as rental agreements and utility setups. Understanding and actively managing your score can pave the way for better financial and personal opportunities. 29 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 2 : What Is A Credit Score?
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Review Exam

Lesson 3. Understanding the Impact of Credit: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the Impact of Credit: A Comprehensive Guide 26 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 3 : How Is Your Credit Affected?
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Review Exam

Lesson 4. Credit Cards Unveiled: Navigating Benefits and Risks

Credit card debt often arises from improper management, emphasizing the need to maintain low credit utilization and make timely payments. Strategies like the avalanche method and leveraging diverse credit mixes can help consumers preserve a healthy financial standing. 27 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 4 : Credit Cards
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Review Exam

Lesson 5. Foreclosure & Recovery: An Exploration

Foreclosure rates soared during the housing market collapse of the late 2000s, hitting states like Florida and California the hardest, leading many to face not just financial crises but the emotional loss of home. Despite the difficulties, this phase can become a catalyst for personal growth and a renewed approach to financial independence. 23 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 5 : Foreclosure
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Review Exam

Lesson 6. Rebuilding Financial Health After Bankruptcy

The realized rise and fall in bankruptcy filings highlight the influence of broader economic conditions and the importance of preventive financial education. Post-bankruptcy, individuals are encouraged to gain insights into managing finances to rebuild stronger financial foundations. 29 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 6 : Bankruptcy
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Review Exam

Lesson 7. Understanding the Debt-to-Income Ratio

Financial success starts with understanding the debt-to-income ratio, a measure critical for evaluating how much of your income is consumed by debt. Strategies like prioritizing debt repayments and increasing income can improve this ratio, ultimately leading to better financial stability and opportunities. 29 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 7 : Debt to Income Ratio
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Review Exam

Lesson 8. Mastering Your Finances: A Path Out of Debt

Understanding the debt spiral begins with recognizing the deceptiveness of credit cards as accessible wealth, which can lead to extraordinary financial liabilities. Breaking free involves acknowledging the situation, adhering to systematic payment methods like debt snowball or avalanche, and potentially seeking professional guidance. 18 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 8 : The Debt Spiral
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Review Exam

Lesson 9. Navigating Debt: A Journey Through Credit Counseling

The credit counseling landscape has evolved with the establishment of key organizations like the NFCC and AICCCA, promoting standards and ethical practices while diversifying options. Consumers must choose wisely from numerous independent credit counseling companies operating today, considering personal financial circumstances and goals. 21 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 9 : Debt Counseling
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Review Exam

Lesson 10. Debt Consolidation Explained

Debt consolidation is a strategic approach to managing multiple debts by combining them into one with a lower interest rate, reducing stress and simplifying repayments. By adopting this method, individuals like Sarah can improve their credit score and focus on financial goals, transforming anxiety into empowerment. 30 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 10 : Debt Consolidation
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Review Exam

Lesson 11. Simplicity and Peace Through Wise Financial Management

Limiting unnecessary purchases and understanding credit's true cost are pivotal in maintaining financial health and preventing debt spirals. By embracing a minimalist mindset and planning financially, individuals can achieve a balance between living for today and securing tomorrow. 23 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 11 : Living In Your Means
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Review Exam

Lesson 12. The Essential Guide to Crafting a Budget: Pathway to Financial Stability

Establishing a detailed budget involves recognizing income sources, diligently tracking expenses, and setting realistic financial goals that balance short-term needs with long-term ambitions. This proactive strategy, further enhanced by modern financial tools, encourages disciplined spending and fosters a future-oriented financial mindset. 20 Total Points
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 12 : Budgeting
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Review Exam

Lesson 13. Steps to a Resilient Financial Future

Prudent financial behaviors extend beyond mere budgeting to include adopting a growth mindset, strategic credit card usage, and preventing reliance on credit for emergencies. Building emergency funds and visualizing financial goals fosters resilience and motivation in the pursuit of economic well-being. 9 Total Points
  • Lesson 13 Video
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 13 : Tips For Staying On Track

Lesson 14. Mastering Your Financial Future: The Role of Credit Reports

Credit reports, often seen as mere data collections, are crucial tools that shape financial opportunities like loans and mortgages, empowering individuals by providing insight into their creditworthiness. Regularly checking these reports aids in identifying errors or fraud, ensuring financial stability and informed decision-making. 9 Total Points
  • Lesson 14 Video
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 14 : Credit Reports

Lesson 15. Mastering Financial Narratives: Unraveling Your Credit Report

Continuous credit score management through budgeting, timely payments, and financial literacy contributes to lower borrowing costs and wider financial opportunities. Jessica's community-driven approach to credit awareness exemplifies the power of shared financial knowledge. 73 Total Points
  • Lesson 15 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Let us know what you think of this course; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Assessment: Quiz for Lesson 15 : Credit Errors
  • Assessment: The Final Exam
385
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Define what credit is.
  • Describe what a credit score is.
  • Describe what affects your credit score.
  • Define what a credit card is how that affects your credit score.
  • Describe the foreclosure process and what it does to your credit report.
  • Describe the bankruptcy process and how that affects your credit report.
  • Define the Debt to Income Ratio.
  • Summarize how people end up in a 'debt spiral'.
  • Summarize the pros and cons of debt counseling.
  • Summarize the pros and cons of debt consolidation.
  • Summarize methods to live within your means.
  • Create a budget.
  • Request your credit reports.
  • Summarize methods to correct errors on your credit reports.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Understanding and Managing Your Personal Credit
Course Number: 8900102
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: Enroll in this course from any U.S. state, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. The course is also accessible to learners in English-speaking countries such as the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa.
Last Updated: December 2023
CEU Value: 0.5 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "Very available and provided feedback on all my lessons." -- David N.
  • "Great subject! Great instructor! I love Universal Class!" -- Carmen R.
  • "Every part of the course was helpful to me. I used to deal with credit repair years ago so this was like a refresher course.It was a very helpful experience." -- Hector R.
  • "The court was perfect. HE'S a Great instructor." -- Janet D.
  • "Very helpful information about repairing credit. I enjoyed taking this course." -- Marie C.
  • "My instructor was the greatest. He always got back with me in a timely matter and gave me excellent answers. I hope I get his for all my others classes that I will be taking with Universal Class." -- Glenda W.
  • "This class teaches more than Managing Credit. It deals with debt, debt to equity, debt to income ratios, budgeting, and more. I would recommend it to a lot of young people who are starting out before they become innudated with debt." -- DrEarl W.
  • "the instructor is very diligent. Always communicated the results in a timely fashion." -- Nestor M.

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