Credit scoring is now everywhere,with 3−digit numbers being used to assess one's character.Auto and property insurance companies pay specific attention to debt and derogatory marks. This is due to the fact that statistically, people with poor credit file more claims.

One little known fact about credit scoring is that 30% of the score is calculated based on existing debt versus available credit. This category is nearly as important as the amount of delinquencies one has, which weighs in as having a 35% impact on the overall score.It is not prudent for a consumer to close credit card accounts. Such action reduces the amount of available credit and increases the ratio of debt−to−available credit.

It wasn't long ago that with a 401k you had little−to−no assistance in determining where to place your funds in . The Retirement Security Advice Act was passed to revise Employee Retirement Income Security Act and help protect  investments. At this time, 22% of all 401k programs have instituted investment management and there is more to come.

When you sign up for a managed 401k, your plan provider turns your money over to an outside investment advisor. The fees for a managed account vary from 0.2% to 1% of the total assets held in the portfolio, on top of your regular 401k expense. However, having a trained eye to assist you could far exceed the cost of the management fee.

Why not take a look at the eternal bears of the US stock market and when they provide a buy recommendation, take significant note? With the DOW trading in a tight range, between about 9,000 and 10,500 over the last couple of years, picking stocks has become trickier by the month.

Here are some insights from the big−time bears in the NYSE as to what stocks they see as good investments. Note that these 5 stocks are recommended by at least 2 top−rated analysts at firms known to be "stingy" with their buy recommendations: Prudential Financial $48/share, recommended by Smith Barney and AG Edwards.