You already know (or at least have a pretty good idea) what state your credit is in, or you probably wouldn't be reading this. Chances are, you've already done a bit of research on the web and found several different companies that can repair your credit. If you're ambitious, you may have read up on how to repair your credit yourself. Either way, you haven't actually done anything about your credit yet. Below, you'll find the top 10 reasons that you probably haven't taken any action, as well as reasons why you should. Hopefully, before you're through reading the list you will have stopped reading and started to do something about your credit.

If this is you, don't feel bad, you're in plenty of good company. There are more people than you might imagine that figure if they just wait it out, their credit will magically improve. The truth is, you can join this group and wait up to seven years for negative items to fall off your credit report (10 years for a bankruptcy), or you can decide to do something about it and be proactive in changing your credit.

Seriously? C'mon, this is an excuse, not a reason. This is the Information Age, and there are countless resources and pages upon pages of information at your fingertips online, or at your local library. The last I heard, library cards were free, so go get one and get to it!

Do you honestly think that having bad credit is any easier? And it may not be as hard as you think. At least give it a try, what can it hurt?

This sure seems like a good option at first glance ? one of you has good credit, the other doesn't, so just use the good credit and ignore the bad, right? Wrong! What happens in the event of divorce? "Not a possibility", you say? Well, good for you, but you should also consider disability and even death. When you think about, there are so many things that can change the marriage dynamic in a hurry, and you may be left with even worse credit.

A reasonable assumption, to be sure. But it's not typically necessary to have all of the money up front. Payment plans can be negotiated, as well as settlements for lesser amounts. And you may want to consider how much bad credit can cost you. Some studies and figures indicate the monthly amount that can be saved is in excess of $500. Still think you don't have enough money?

If you really and truly believe this, chances are your credit is bad enough that it'd take a concerted effort to make it worse. Even if your credit is pretty decent to start with, it's unlikely that you'll do any further damage. Or is it that you think that by ignoring the problem, you're flying under the radar and avoiding the collectors, and to start repairing your credit will only stir things up into a frenzy of harassing calls and letters? Take a good look at number 4 on this list. Once the agreements have been made (and you have to keep up your end) there's no need for the creditors to harass you.

If that's really true, why are you reading this? Don't get me wrong, in some cases, people don't find out that there's anything negative or inaccurate on their report until they apply for financing and something bad shows up. But now you know. Ignorance is NOT bliss, and pretending that you don't have bad credit sure won't fix it anytime soon. Still need convincing? Go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com and take a look at what's on your reports, it may not be as bad as you think.

Yeah, if you cancel your cable, your 46" plasma TV may become a big dark rectangle in the corner of your living room, but you'll save a few bucks each month that can go towards those payment agreements and settlements. The fact is, good credit doesn't just happen. Improving your credit score and then keeping it there will probably require some changes in your spending habits and lifestyle, but consider what's really in it for you. Not just better credit, but all the perks that go along with it, like money saved, and the possibility of a stronger financial future.

And yet, you find the time to do the things that you want to do, right? I get it. Repairing credit probably isn't at the top of anyone's list of "Awesome Stuff That I Like To Do", but it is important nonetheless. It doesn't have to be a long, drawn-out ordeal. Schedule a little time each week, and it can actually save you time in the long run. Just imagine how easy your monthly bill-paying session would be if you had good credit and weren't trying to figure minimum payments and late fees.

Do you want to work all the extra shifts and overtime hours to make ends meet each month? I didn't think so. Repairing your credit means saving money, plain and simple. Do you want to work less? Improve your credit. Repairing your credit takes some time, dedication, patience and persistence, but it's worth all the work to free up your time and become financially stable, isn't it?