Archive for May, 2007

What’s really in a credit report anyway?

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

If you have ever paid ANY attention to your finances, you have heard the term “credit report”.  Have you ever actually seen a credit report?  Have you seen YOUR credit report?  Do you know what information is contained in a credit report and where it comes from? What follows is ...

14 Tips To Help Manage Summer Money Challenges

Sunday, May 27th, 2007

CHALLENGE #1:  HIGH GAS PRICES In the last couple of weeks, gas prices have risen to their highest levels in history.  There are some reports that indicate prices have peaked and that they will be going down.  There are no guarantees, however, about if or when that will happen.  In spite ...

My Life (In Credit Card Years)

Thursday, May 24th, 2007

Recently, I pulled my credit reports from all 3 of the credit reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax).  As I looked through the information in those reports, I was struck by the parallel between my credit card life (financial) and my real life (personal).   I was in college from August, ...

7 Tips for Creating A Budget You Won’t Break

Monday, May 21st, 2007

The biggest problem with a budget is not establishing the spending boundaries.  It’s living within the boundaries you have set!  Here are 7 things you can do to make your budget an invaluable tool.  1.       ORGANIZE YOUR FINANCIAL RECORDS  The success of your budget will depend on the accuracy of the ...

First Money Thinks

Friday, May 18th, 2007

Welcome to my financial world!  On paper, there is no reason why anyone should listen to what I have to say about money.  I hold two college degrees and not one single financial credential.  Wait!  Please don’t leave yet!  That doesn’t mean that I don’t know anything about money; it ...