Finding it tougher financially?  So are many more Australians.

If your credit rating is slipping or you want to apply for a bank loan our previous article, titled Personal Credit Ratings, is worth reading.

You may want to check your own rating before applying for credit.

Some credit rating agencies charge you to search your own credit own history, but at least one (Dun and Bradstreet) realise that having an accurate database is of benefit to them.  You can check your own file free at www.dnbcreditreport.com.au but expect at least a 10 day delay.