If I tell you the house Sandra wanted was amazingly affordable and astonishingly beautiful (it was both), you will understand why losing it produced this single, but very specific piece of advice from her to all grown-up Black women: Get a copy of your credit report. Now! Before a bad one leaves you sobbing like Patti LaBelle in the If You Asked Me To video. Not only is it cheap (credit reporting agencies can charge you no more than $8 for your report and must give it to you free if you've been denied credit or employment because of information in it), the process is supereasy. 

For instructions, contact one of the "Big Three" reporting agencies: Equifax at 1-800-685-1111; Experian at 1-888-397-3742; TransUnion at 1-800-916-8800). 

Even if you aren't in the housing market, here are a couple of things that might move you to action.

First, your credit report affects all kinds of decisions about you, including if you can get insurance, an apartment, or if you are offered a job. Second, by law you have the right to correct any erroneous information in your file Continue...