A Special Credit Alert for Women

It is crucial that you have a credit history of your own. Don't think that just because you pay the bills or because you use a credit card that you're building a credit rating of your own.

If you have a card with your husband's name on it, or even an extra card on his account with your name on it, it's like you never used credit at all. In the eyes of lenders, you're just an "authorized user." That means you get to use the card, but someone else is responsible for paying it. That's worth diddly to creditors.

Rule of Thumb: If you haven't filled out and signed a credit application for the cards you're using, then you're just an authorized user.

Call your credit card company today and ask them to send you an application to become a co-signer of your existing account. Then, after using the card for about six months, apply for a card of your own.

Straight Talk Tip: Joint accounts opened before June of 1977 may not show up on your credit report. Check your credit report to make sure this information is showing up on your report (not just your husband's.) If it isn't, call the credit card company today and ask them to report your history to the major credit bureaus. Then, apply for a credit card in your own name, either with the same credit company or a new one.

Listen up, ladies! Be sure to read Daria's important alert on What Women Need to Know About Your Money only on Dolans.com.