Hi Gail!!
Thank you so much for your show and your wonderful website!! You are an inspiration!

Lauren, because your questions are plentiful, I’m going to answer after each one… here goes:

I have some questions regarding credit:

1) How do I find out what my credit score is (also I have been told that if you request a credit report it could negatively effect your credit score---any truth to this?)

Requesting your credit report has no impact on your credit score. Search “credit report” on my site for more info.

2) I have a credit card with about a $1500 balance (my kitty just had surgery) with a $10000 limit @ 11% interest and a $5000 line of credit with a $0 ballance @ prime +1 . I have $5000 in a high interest savings account. I am 25 and have lived on my own since 17, I went without for so long just to make ends meet that I am extremely anxious about not having money in the bank....Soooo the question is when unexpected costs come up (like my kitty getting sick) should I be using my credit or taking this from my savings?

You should be using your “emergency” fund – that’s some of your savings -- , and then replenishing the fund back to where it feels safest.

3) I have also been told that by having high credit limits lenders will see me as higher risk for loans and mortgages---any truth to this? I probably don't need that much credit but I am so scared of the unexpected and it makes me feel safe.

Credit shouldn’t make you feel safe. Having money in the bank should make you feel safe. And the more safety you need, the more money you need in the bank. As for whether high credit limits affect your ability to borrow: YES. The amount of credit you have available is the amount of credit you’ve already borrowed.

4) I have been at my job for 4 years and I am very unhappy. On my 2007 T4 my gross was $35000, if I leave my job will this also hurt my chances for getting a mortgage?

If you’re asking me will being unemployed affect your ability to borrow, you betcha. If you’re asking, will getting a new job affect your ability to borrow, it depends on how much less or more you’re making. And how often you change jobs also shows your “stability” which is a deciding factor.

5) and finally....I am 25 with no education higher than grade 13! I would like to go back to school...what is your opinion on saving for this vs. going in to debt?

Student loans are “good” debt. Making sure you can handle the repayment when you go to work is good sense. Having your living expenses covered so you’re not racking up debt to pay your phone bill is also good sense.

Thank you for your time and for your honesty and your wonderful laugh!

Lauren