Articles in the Give Yourself Credit Category
Give Yourself Credit »
Personal finance expert Farnoosh Torabi defines the credit score (FICO), addresses the confusion about credit scores, clarifies popular misconceptions, and shares some tips to help you raise your credit score.
(video 4:54)
Give Yourself Credit »
“You really have to consider your spending habits, how disciplined you are, and then you got to size the offers up,” advises Vera Gibbons MSNBC financial analyst; and, she explains some of the products available, the processes required and the cautions involved in acquiring and using a credit card, plus the serious consideration that is necessary regarding the range and consequences of the terms of the card agreement.
Be honest with yourself; if you cannot permanently maintain enough money in a designated account for the specific purpose of paying the total, …
Give Yourself Credit, Your Financial Fitness »
I started a new project this past weekend; I went into my office, took one box of old files and went through them to determine what to still keep and what to shred. I love old movies; so, with the soothing company of hot tea with honey, Fuji apple slices, and a favorite movie, I took a tour down memory lane perusing through files that dated back nearly 30 years.
Going through the paperwork was very enlightening and entertaining; it gave a revealing snapshot of where my money went … both …
Give Yourself Credit, Your Financial Fitness »
BRAVO! Be proud of yourself. I take it that you just arrived at this post after reading the post, “It Pays … To Be Organized!” Well, let me get right to the point so that you can begin to implement the following procedure:
First: Collect and retain all receipts for every item that you purchase with your credit card for each month of that card’s billing cycle – the billing period/cycle closing date is printed on your statement; remember it. Keep those receipts together in an envelope as previously discussed; then, …
Give Yourself Credit, Your Financial Fitness »
Fight that lazybug and get your life in order. Staying organized will not only save you time; but, invariably, the time that you save will save you money. Think of the hours you must spend on tasks and projects that you postponed thinking it okay to finish them later. What were initially simple tasks will build into burdensome, time-consuming, free-time robbing drudgeries.
For starters, arrange each one of all your paid monthly bills (paid statement receipts) in their own envelope labeled with what they are and the year on the envelope …
Give Yourself Credit, Your Financial Fitness »
Only use your credit card for items that you already have the cash to pay for them in full when that credit card bill arrives. Set aside cash on a regular basis in a designated savings account for this specific purpose. When your credit card bill comes due, pay it in full using the cash you have accumulated in this specific savings account that you created exclusively for this purpose.
Not only will your money be growing with the interest that this savings account accumulates, plus, you will be getting the added …
Give Yourself Credit »
Obtain a credit card for free; never pay to get a card! Do not get a card for any “rewards” or special offers (such as for particular catalog items or air miles). The only acceptable rewards are “cash-back awards” that can be directly applied to your future statements to pay for part of the credit card’s balance due. Make sure your cash award can be directly applied to your account balance without any hidden details or penalties – in other words, you can use the cash dollars that you build …
Give Yourself Credit »
Neither a borrower nor a lender be. First rule of credit card: Do not ever use a credit card unless you already have the cash secured and set aside to pay for the item when the credit card statement comes due. Always pay your credit card bill IN FULL and well BEFORE the due date of every statement! No exceptions, no excuses.
