Better Living Through Good Credit

Recently we talked about how closing costs can be negotiable. When getting a mortgage, you've got to look at the whole deal -- and closing costs are a part of the deal. However, a reader pointed out that closing costs are not always negotiable. In particular, the reader noted that those with good credit have a better chance of getting a deal.

This is true. Keep in mind that your credit affects the quality of your loans and your negotiating power. It can even affect auto insurance rates, employment searches, and more. You may not think it's very important to have good credit, but it comes in handy. Please do what it takes to keep your credit healthy. [Thanks AB]

Further reading:

• How to Ruin Your Credit
• Insurance Score FAQ
• About.com's Credit Site