Many small business owners do not understand why they have a difficult time establishing credit for their business. They are confused when credit applications ask for their Dun & Bradstreet number. They wonder who is Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) and why would they have my number?
Dun & Bradstreet is a provider of credit information on businesses. Just as your social security unlocks the vault to your personal financial information, a D&B number will do the same for your business. The reports are used by businesses and financial institutions seeking to extend credit to your business. Much like a personal credit report, the lender will submit updates on your payment history and terms of their agreement so that other lenders can make informed decisions about your business.
So, why would you get a D-U-N-S Number rather than continuing to use your social security number or tax identification number? It’s not because it is free because there is a fee to create a D&B credit profile. I believe this is done, not as a primary means of generating income, but because it creates a barrier to entry. Not all businesses have the cash flow to purchase the number, which means they are probably not in a position to take advantage of credit opportunities.
Dun & Bradstreet also allows businesses wishing to extend credit the opportunity to purchase reports of varying degrees about the potential client. This method of qualifying reduces the assumed risk because there is a history of the business’ ability to handle credit. Additionally, the business owner is able to separate their personal credit from the business, which could prove advantageous for businesses with high inventories or those needing to lease equipment. Tying these purchases to your personal credit will reduce your ability to make personal purchases without seeming overextended.
Mind your business and research how a D-U-N-S Number can increase your business’ credit and creditability.
Showing posts with label credit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label credit. Show all posts
06 April 2009
31 March 2009
Do You Deserve Credit?
One of the main complaints that we all have with credit card companies sending cards to teenagers is that they don't deserve it. The theory is that they haven't earned the right to have access to thousands of dollars that they may not be able to repay. However, how many of us deserve credit?
It wasn't until the prosperity years of the '90s that credit became widely available. Before then, you had to have excellent payment history or lots of cash in the bank to access credit. Creditors were leery of allowing the common man access to its stash. This all changed when they realized that we are consumer society. Studies have consistently shown that Americans spend more than they earn. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that credit keeps us in that flux. We take no issue with buying a home that we can't afford, driving a car we can barely maintain or wearing clothes that we never should have bought. Credit has allowed us to create a lifestyle that may be enviable on the outside but no one realizes the strain that paying these bills puts on our lives which essentially makes us a slave to our jobs. We can not enjoy the freedom of doing what we want to do rather we are forced to stay at jobs in which we are unhappy or defer our dream job which may not pay as much as we would like because we have so many bills.
Credit alone is not the culprit instead it is the fact that creditors realized that the people wanting credit didn't deserve it so they figured out a way to punish them for their selfish desires – interest. Interest is a complicated beast that can take over a balance and have it whooping your butt before you even realize what's happened. If you are only paying the minimum payments each month, then you are essentially feeding the beast (interest) and starving the monster (principal). It may seem that the monster is being held off but the beast is growing and taking over your life.
I have nothing against credit, when used responsibly. It's almost like a gun, in the wrong hands it can be deadly. Credit is actually necessary in our society. If you want to make a significant purchase, like a home or a car, then your lender will want to know how you have handled your credit in the past. They will be looking for your monster and your beast to be tamed in a nice little cage called low/zero balance.
Every person should have at least one credit card, preferably a universal card like Visa, Master card or American Express, for emergencies. However, opening your wallet and displaying a credit card collection like newborn baby pictures is not impressive. The more accounts you have open the more leery a creditor may be about lending to you regardless of the their balances. Imagine you have six cards with $30,000 in available credit and an annual salary of $40,000. You may only have a total outstanding balance of $4,000 but imagine some traumatic event happening in your life, a creditor's worst nightmare is you going on a $36,000 shopping spree and never be able to repay your debts.
Not many of us deserve credit because we are selfish and materialistic. Rather than using credit cards for emergencies, buying the best house with an affordable mortgage and choosing an economic car; we choose to be slaves. Free yourself, pay down your debt and so that you can enjoy life. Having a low or no debt lifestyle allows you take advantage of jobs that you enjoy, allows you to save extra money for vacations and keeps you from dreading to open your mail.
Your money matters – its not about how much you make, but how much you keep.
It wasn't until the prosperity years of the '90s that credit became widely available. Before then, you had to have excellent payment history or lots of cash in the bank to access credit. Creditors were leery of allowing the common man access to its stash. This all changed when they realized that we are consumer society. Studies have consistently shown that Americans spend more than they earn. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that credit keeps us in that flux. We take no issue with buying a home that we can't afford, driving a car we can barely maintain or wearing clothes that we never should have bought. Credit has allowed us to create a lifestyle that may be enviable on the outside but no one realizes the strain that paying these bills puts on our lives which essentially makes us a slave to our jobs. We can not enjoy the freedom of doing what we want to do rather we are forced to stay at jobs in which we are unhappy or defer our dream job which may not pay as much as we would like because we have so many bills.
Credit alone is not the culprit instead it is the fact that creditors realized that the people wanting credit didn't deserve it so they figured out a way to punish them for their selfish desires – interest. Interest is a complicated beast that can take over a balance and have it whooping your butt before you even realize what's happened. If you are only paying the minimum payments each month, then you are essentially feeding the beast (interest) and starving the monster (principal). It may seem that the monster is being held off but the beast is growing and taking over your life.
I have nothing against credit, when used responsibly. It's almost like a gun, in the wrong hands it can be deadly. Credit is actually necessary in our society. If you want to make a significant purchase, like a home or a car, then your lender will want to know how you have handled your credit in the past. They will be looking for your monster and your beast to be tamed in a nice little cage called low/zero balance.
Every person should have at least one credit card, preferably a universal card like Visa, Master card or American Express, for emergencies. However, opening your wallet and displaying a credit card collection like newborn baby pictures is not impressive. The more accounts you have open the more leery a creditor may be about lending to you regardless of the their balances. Imagine you have six cards with $30,000 in available credit and an annual salary of $40,000. You may only have a total outstanding balance of $4,000 but imagine some traumatic event happening in your life, a creditor's worst nightmare is you going on a $36,000 shopping spree and never be able to repay your debts.
Not many of us deserve credit because we are selfish and materialistic. Rather than using credit cards for emergencies, buying the best house with an affordable mortgage and choosing an economic car; we choose to be slaves. Free yourself, pay down your debt and so that you can enjoy life. Having a low or no debt lifestyle allows you take advantage of jobs that you enjoy, allows you to save extra money for vacations and keeps you from dreading to open your mail.
Your money matters – its not about how much you make, but how much you keep.
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