As you know, I've been paying off my debt. I closed a credit card last month which was really exciting. YES, despite what is advised when trying to fix your credit score (article), I closed an old credit card. But hey, they also discourage opening a bunch of credit card accounts that you don't need, so I'm trying to get rid of these random ones I have.

My credit score is not currently messed up. In fact, I have really good credit right now. I mean, it's really not that hard to screw up if you can commit to being responsible and a wise spender. BUT, I did manage to screw it up at one point in my life... big time! Without doing a lot of research, I turned to a credit counseling service to help me out. While it was probably one of the best decisions I'd ever made to get back on the right track, I really had no idea what I was getting into. I was really young, so it helped in the sense that they really guided me through the process. It was totally easy. It did, however, affect my credit score and in the long run, it cost me more to go through them than to pay off my credit on my own.

I didn't know the art of the "transfer balance". My friends are all into that, but the opening and closing of several accounts is really not a good idea in the long run. It can be beneficial for the quick fixes, though. I think, in the future, should I ever be in a similar situation (knock on wood), I'd consider a personal loan... probably.

I took out a bank loan a few years ago to pay off an ex. He was still my boyfriend at the time, but I already knew we weren't in it for the long haul, so I wanted to handle that debt ASAP. Bank loans, man... AWFUL. The interest rate was ridiculously high and it came with all those unpleasant sales calls. NO THANKS.

Personal loans (article), as far as I've heard so far, can really help you out of a bind. We're not talking Gary Coleman's cheesy "Check into Cash" kinds of personal loans. These are legit loans that typically have lower interest rates, making it easier for you to pay them off sooner. They're also great to look into when you don't have really good credit. Banks will assign you interest rates based on your credit scores, so beware.

Never jump into these things without doing your own research (article)!!! That's what really screwed me up before. The internet has numerous resources, so use them to find yourself a Secure Loan (site) or a Personal Loan Unsecured (site).

We're all adults now. Time to approach these things as such. Woo-hoo, Mommy, look at me!

Articles Worth Reading:
6 ways to be a grown-up about debt
What to do (and NOT to do) When Trying to Fix Your Credit Score
How to raise financially savvy kids
What a good financial adviser can do for you