Yes, its official now! You will be able to access your credit scores in December 2009. The score will range between 300-900, indicating the levels of default and will be available to consumers for a sum not exceeding Rs.100 as prescribed by the RBI. CIBIL, which already has a huge database of credit reports, which are currently consulted by banks before sanctioning a loan is putting up the infrastructure to be ready to service consumers who wish to access their credit reports. Isn't that great news? Now, many of you maybe wondering how your credit report will look like, how to go about setting any mistakes in the report right, how to maximise the benefits of being able to access your credit score and other such issues. Well, look no further. Listed below are the top seven things you ought to do with your credit report.

GET A COPY OF YOUR CREDIT SCORE EVERY YEAR FOR AN ANNUAL REVIEW

You should study the credit report carefully for any hidden flaws or misinterpretations. If you find

Often in life sudden money crunch situations occur, which require quick remedial action. At such instances, when you need to source a significant sum of money at short notice with the least interest rate, so that the debt does not overwhelm you, gold loan is one of the first options you should consider!

Indians consider gold an auspicious metal and love to indulge in them in the form of ornaments or gold coins and bars, making them a part of their wealth accumulation. Some others invest in paper gold, i.e Gold ETFs. To obtain gold loans however you need to use the gold which generally lies idle at home or in the locker of a bank. You can make this asset liquid without selling it by taking a loan on it in times of need.

A loan will be sanctioned on submission of some minimum paperwork and satisfactory assessment of gold ornaments by the lender. Generally the lender will give you a loan to the extent of 60 - 80% of the value of the security i.e. gold you have provided. The lender retains

Tax-saving bonds are one among the important tax saving options available to individuals. Interest incomes generated by them are tax deductible and this is over and above the Rs 1 lakh tax exemption investors can avail of under section 80C of the I-T Act. A disadvantage of tax-saving bonds is that the interest rates offered are not adjusted for inflation which, at current 10% level, can significantly erode the value of bond investments. The bonds are for individuals with low risk appetite, who are looking to primarily preserve income and earn returns on the same as a secondary goal. Tax-saving bonds are issued by RBI and organizations belonging to both public and private sectors.

The Union Budget for 2010-11 introduced infrastructure bonds to help finance infrastructure projects which usually take 3-10 years to complete. Resident Indian individuals and HUFs can invest in the bonds and get a deduction of maximum Rs 20,000 in computation of taxable income for the current financial year.