Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/71813
ratings, ATBS consultant Don Neil says. That starts by communicating your need for more mileage to your dispatcher, he says. "Doing it early in the week is important," Neil says. Diamond and owner-operator Helen Johnston, of Pittsburgh, Pa., have witnessed the wisdom of experts' advice to control fuel and other costs to stay on top of business expenses. Johnston, who pulls a chemical tanker for Dana Transport, overcame bankruptcy in January 2011 after her husband, Dave Johnston, became disabled three years ago. Staying safe to maintain her hazmat status is important, but even more of a challenge was regaining financial solvency. After Johnston's household went from two incomes to one, she still made $381 weekly payments on her 2003 Peterbilt 379, which she bought for $75,000 at 11 percent interest and paid off in 2011. "It was difficult," says Johnston, an independent contractor for eight years. "I was out there on the road. I thought I was making money, and I wasn't." Johnston focused on expenses and relies on no credit now. She cut food costs in half by putting a microwave in her cab and stocking a refrigerator with food. She used store coupons frequently. She used her own printer-scanner to process paperwork instead of paying for truck stop scanners. She and her family sold a motorcycle, two cars and two recreational vehicles. They even bought a cow to butcher. "You've got to learn how to save money a little at a time so you have a profit at the end," says Johnston, who plans to keep driving her Pete for years. "It feels good to go out there and get a paycheck every week for the work I've done." Know your credit report Even if you're not planning a major purchase, stay abreast of your credit record to maintain a good credit history, correct errors and protect against identity theft. You can get free reports once annually via annualcreditreport.com or by calling (877) 322-8228. Or contact each agency directly: • Equifax (800) 685-1111, equifax.com • Experian (888) 397-3742, exerpian.com • TransUnion (800) 888-4213, transunion.com If you intend to make a large purchase, it's a good idea to order your report from all three major credit-reporting agencies at once, says Gail Cunningham, of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Otherwise, you can spread out your ordering — do one every four months — and still get them all for free. If your report has a negative event that is incomplete or includes circumstances you couldn't prevent, contact that credit bureau to add pertinent information. The older a negative item is, the less hurtful it is. It's dropped from a report after seven years. GETTING HELP Individuals struggling with debt problems sometimes go to through outside parties to get help, such as debt consolidation, personal finance counseling and bankruptcy counseling. With some agencies, certain services are free. Here are some resources: • American Consumer Credit Counseling, (800) 769-3571, consumercredit.com • Coast To Coast Credit Services, (888) 292-2525 ext.310, usbestcreditrepair.com • CommonWealth Credit Restoration, (888) 359-3535, iwantgoodcredit.com • National Foundation for Credit Counseling, (800) 388-2227, nfcc.org Inside the credit score How much credit has been applied for recently. New credit sought 10% How long you have had the same credit accounts. Length of credit history 15% Payment history 35% Track record for paying off mortgages and other lines of credit. The diversity of credit types, such as car loans and mortgages. Kinds of loans used 10% Total outstanding credit and account balances. Amounts owed 30% JULY 2012 OVERDRIVE 41