Gaining control of your finances requires a great deal of planning. The first steps include creating a spending plan and getting out of debt. But it’s also important to remember the big picture. Why are you looking to achieve financial freedom? What are your plans once you get there?

In order to achieve your definition of success, you have to set goals. Without clearly defined goals, you are likely to find yourself stuck in one place.

When you are ready to make a commitment, use the following tips to set your financial and personal goals:

1. Goals must be written down. Goals that are not written down are merely dreams or wishes. Writing down a goal makes it real.
2. Goals must be your own. If you borrow a goal from someone else, the true power of commitment may be lacking from your plan.
3. Goals must have real benefits. A goal must be able to answer the question: “What’s in it for me?” If there are no real benefits from the trip, then why take it in the first place?
4. Goals must allow you to change. Going someplace means that things are going to be different when you get there. A goal must allow you to reach out, to stretch and grow.
5. Goals must contain a deadline. If your goal doesn’t have a deadline, you’ll never know for sure when you’ve arrived – or if you’ve arrived. Without a deadline, you really don’t have a goal.

Once you determine what you want by setting goals, you will need to develop a plan for how you are going to reach them. You wouldn’t want to be on a ship in the middle of the ocean with a captain who hasn’t charted his course, would you?

Financial Freedom’s 9Steps2Wealth System goes into more detail on how to set goals and develop a plan to reach them. The self-study program walks you through creating a spending plan, getting out of debt, developing a financial philosophy, improving your quality of life, and planning for retirement.

If you prefer more personal contact and direction, PayAccel can help you meet your goals with a plan that fits your busy lifestyle while achieving financial freedom, security, and wealth. PayAccel allows you to achieve your goals by accelerating debt elimination and wealth building. A personal coach will ensure your success and hold your hand every step of the way.

Once you have clearly defined goals and a plan in place, you’ll be well on your way to achieving financial freedom.

Consumer Reports WebWatch recently released a report on 24 Web sites that offer consumers paid access to their credit reports and scores. The report reveals the potential for confusion since many consumers believe these sites are connected to the government’s free annual credit report site, www.annualcreditreport.com.

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 entitles consumers to one free copy of their credit report per year from one of the three major credit reporting bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. Many sites have since popped up as “alternatives” to annualcreditreport.com, and they market themselves aggressively to consumers.

The WebWatch report found that consumers who knowingly use the alternative sites in conjunction with annualcreditreport.com may find their services valuable. However, consumers using the alternative sites because of confusion about annualcreditreport.com may end up paying needlessly for something they are entitled by law to receive for free, or paying more than necessary for credit scores.

The report summarizes, “Based on an analysis of 58 offers made on 24 alternative sites, we conclude that the enticement of free credit reports and free credit scores is an integral part of the marketing of credit-related services. The most common offer (57% of the 58 offers analyzed) provides one or more free credit reports and one or more free credit scores with the purchase of a credit monitoring service. The second most common offer (15% of the remaining) involves access to a free credit scores with the purchase of three credit reports. Some of these uses of the term “free” may be inconsistent with the regulatory guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission and the self-regulatory standards of the Better Business Bureau.”

For more information, read the complete report. Remember, the best site to visit to receive a free credit report is the U.S. government site, annualcreditreport.com.

Financial Freedom’s Credit Enhancing Program offers monthly coaching sessions if you find that you need to get your credit back on track. You can receive an in-depth credit report analysis, and will be coached through the steps you need to take to improve your credit. Also, the Credit Correction Kit is a do-it-yourself guide to reading and correcting information on your credit report.

Problems in the subprime mortgage market have dominated real estate news this year, making many Americans hesitant to buy, sell, or alter their mortgage in any way. Let’s take a look at what led to the subprime mortgage crisis, and how you can avoid the roadblocks.

In 2001 the Federal Reserve slashed interested rates 11 times, dropping the key lending rate dramatically. As a result, demand increased across the country and home prices rose very quickly in hot spots like California and Florida. Then, from 2004 to 2006, 17 interest rate hikes started to take their toll. The higher rates particularly affected Americans who had purchased homes with an adjustable rate mortgage.

In 2007, foreclosures have soared, up 93 percent from one year ago. The subprime mortgage crisis is affecting the financial industry on an international scale, and the Federal Reserve recently cut the interest rate at which they lend to banks to try to keep credit flowing.

The Mortgage Bankers Association expects home sales to decline this year as lenders make it more difficult to get mortgages approved. Mortgage originators have tightened underwriting standards in response to mounting defaults and foreclosures on loans to borrowers with blemished credit histories.

The best way to avoid a subprime mortgage is to improve your credit rating and ensure you are in a good financial position to pay any loan you acquire. Improve your credit rating by paying your bills on time, paying down your debts, and participating in credit counseling. Credit Enhancement Coaching from Financial Freedom can help you accomplish these goals by analyzing and then helping you directly improve your credit report.

If you are currently renting but seeking homeownership, Financial Freedom’s Lease to Own Program is for you. If you have poor credit or lack money for a downpayment, this program will help you avoid a subprime mortgage. An investor will purchase a home that you can lease for 12 months while Financial Freedom helps you prepare for homeownership.