Do-it-yourself is the American ideal, starting with the pioneers carving their homes out of the wilderness. A resourceful individual, armed with basic tools and a little assistance from a manual, can rebuild anything from their kitchen to their credit report.
In fact, do-it-yourself credit repair was the original idea of the . Consumers who found an error on their credit report could contact the credit bureaus, challenge questionable items, the credit bureaus were supposed to listen and the listing would either be confirmed or deleted.
Like most good ideas, things got a little complicated, and what got lost was the idea of a simple process that anyone could execute to correct real errors. Which is how we ended up with the large industry that's grown up around credit repair.
It's true you don't need a to fix your credit report for you. What you do need is time, patience, perseverance and, at the very least, some sort of guide to the maze the credit bureaus have erected.
Which is where a good do-it-yourself kit comes in. For a reasonable amount of money, a do-it-yourself kit can provide valuable help in conducting your credit repair campaign.
Recognizing a good DIY credit repair kit isn't difficult.
First, don't overspend. A good kit shouldn't cost more than $50. Be wary of "free" offers - they're usually worth what you pay for them.
Second, who's name is on the kit? Suze Orman's a media star with books, a TV show and a DIY credit repair kit charitably described as inadequate. Look instead for a kit from a company that understands the ins and outs of , and will actually teach you what you need to know.
Third, don't be fooled by slick packaging. Read about what's included in the kit. Do your homework - research the company.
Fourth, and most important, a DIY credit repair kit should serve as your guide to the process, showing you where the pitfalls and traps lie. A good DIY kit will take you by the hand and lead you through the specific steps to reach your credit goals.
