The downgrading of America’s credit standing came as a shock to the nation. But for entrepreneurs like David Tishman, it wasn’t a surprise.

Tishman’s new Gig Harbor business, A Sense of Credit, helps people learn how to acquire credit and how to manage it and maintain it.

“Schools may teach you how to budget in a minor way, but most credit habits are learned from your parents,” Tishman said. “It’s a monkey-see, monkey-do thing. If your parents never pay their bills on time, you probably won’t either.”

Tishman has more than 20 years of experience in the financial industry, working with residential and high-end mortgages. Although America is a credit-driven nation, 50 percent of people don’t know what their credit scores are, he said.

“We need credit to buy a house, a car or other things,” he said. “But the government and education drops the ball when it comes to good information.

“The biggest culprit of bad credit is our own government. If our leaders are in such bad shape, how do they expect society to function?”

Business leaders understand that people are wary of where they spend their money in this economy, but when they carry debt, they are spending more each month than they would to have someone fix it, Tishman said.

“It’s better to spend money to get back on track than to keep yourself in a constant loop,” he said. “Creditors take advantage of you. They know when you’re trapped. They know when they’ve got you.”

The most important thing to do when you’ve had bad credit issues, Tishman said, is to start the clock on the healing process.

“Everything is repairable with time and money,” he said. “But if you ignore the issues, the clock never starts. You have to be proactive and make the choice to take that first step.”

Credit card use can be addicting, Tishman said. Like any other process, healing involves a step-by-step plan. When someone decides to take that first step, Tishman said he’s there to help.

“I’m no miracle worker, but I’ll tell you what you need to fix it (bad credit) and give you a plan to follow,” he said. “I’ll analyze your credit and give you the steps necessary to improve what’s good and help repair problems.”

Tishman’s expertise can help pinpoint misconceptions about how credit works. He advises consumers to not pay off their credit cards each month, even though many feel that’s the best thing to do.

“Paying it off doesn’t help your credit score,” he said. “Your credit score is a gauge to see how well you manage your credit. On the other hand, if you max out your card, you’re not showing anyone you can manage your credit. You have lost your buying power. It’s best to leave a bit of a balance on your card each month.”

One common problem debtors have is that they think they are in such bad shape that they simply give up, Tishman said. A closer look may reveal that they’re not as bad off as they thought they were, he said.

People who have fallen on hard times can explain their lapses in credit with documentation.

“Your credit report is the story of your financial life,” he said. “Just because you’ve had issues doesn’t mean you can’t re-establish your credit.”

The problem in dealing with banks, Tishman said, is they often don’t help until a person hits rock bottom.

“You have to trash your credit before a bank will help,” he said. “Come to me before your problems start. If it’s too late, I can guide you on how to get back on track. All I’m doing is helping you to help yourself.”

David Tishman can be reached at 253-514-6922 or at www.asenseofcredit.com.

Lifestyles Coordinator and reporter Susan Schell can be reached at 253-853-9240 or by email at susan.schell@gateline.com.