Today's headlines can be depressing, particularly if you're having money problems. From the decline in the value of your home to the tightening of the credit market, the bad news can seem overwhelming. It's at times like these that the slick operators and "scam-sters" crawl out from their hiding places like cockroaches.

There is any number of credit repair and debt consolidation companies that would like you to believe that you can't improve your bad credit without their help. Don't believe them. Particularly be wary of companies that want you to pay for credit repair before they provide any services, or if they suggest that you create a "new" credit identity. Some of these approaches can get you into deeper financial (and maybe even legal) trouble.

There are many, common sense steps you take yourself to fix some of your credit problems. Many will require discipline on your part, and some might be downright painful, but you can get your financial affairs back in order.

Credit card debt is one of the easiest debts to fall into because it's the easiest way to get credit. You'd be surprised how many people think of paying off their credit cards in terms of making the minimum payment each month. Are you one of them? That approach just keeps digging the debt hole deeper. You have to make progress in paying off the balance of your credit card debt before you can gain control again. This will mean developing a payment plan you can live with, and calling your bank or lender to get their buy-in.

How do you keep your credit card balance from creeping up again? How about putting away the plastic, and paying with cash. I know, easier said than done. If just cutting down on restaurant meals doesn't free up enough cash, that's when it starts getting painful. You might have to make drastic changes to your lifestyle in order to reach the goal of repairing your bad credit. Could you drive a used car instead of a new one? Sure. Could you take public transportation instead of owning a car? Let the pain begin.

Once you are able to make meaningful (and on-time) payments on all your monthly debt, you can turn your attention to your credit report with the goal of raising your credit score. Request copies of your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). Look for the negative information in your report. Some may be valid, but focus on inaccurate data. Maybe one of your creditors is reporting you have an outstanding, overdue balance, but you can prove that you have paid off that loan. Contact the credit bureau in writing, specifying the information you think is inaccurate. Include copies of documents that will prove your point, and request that the negative information be removed or corrected. Also contact the lender that originally provided the inaccurate, negative information. Request, in writing, that their records be corrected, and include the written proof of your point.

These are just a few of the steps you can take yourself to fix your bad credit. At the end of the process, you'll have your finances under control. And you didn't have to pay a credit repair service to help.