DEAR BRUCE: I have always prided myself on paying all my bills in full and on time. I had a setback when I became ill for some time and discovered that during this time, I neglected to mail in my mortgage payment. I called the mortgage company and asked if it had reported this payment as being late on my credit report. The mortgage company said yes and said that by law, it could not be removed.

I am so upset. I have never done anything like this before. Is there anything I can do? How much impact will this have when applying for a loan in the future? — Reader, via email

DEAR READER: One late payment is not something to be suicidal over.