Controlling Your Money
Getting Started
Your credit score and the first step in monitoring it!
Did you know that you are entitled to one free credit report a year? And did you also know that
you are entitled to one free credit report a year from each of the three credit reporting agencies?
Because there are three agencies, TransUnion, Equifax and Experian, try pulling your report once
every 4 months rotating between the three.
Use the website www.annualcreditreport.com to order your
report...you'll be able to have it sent to you or view immediatley. Go over each item in the report
to check for accuracy and to be certain that each entry is yours. Incorrect reporting can be
disputed and if you do find something that is being reported and is not yours, you'll want to
investigate further.
Facebook: Good or Bad?
As good and useful as Facebook can be when reconnecting with old schoolmates or long lost friends,
it can also be bad when you are posting vacation plans and dates, and updating your status when
you're not home - you could inadvertently be helping a would be thief plan his next theft.
Knowing where and when you will not be home makes it a little easier - so give those updates on when
and where you are after you have been there! You need to be careful what information you make public,
do you really want EVERYONE to know where you live, the names and ages of your children and pets, your age
and date of birth, home address and phone number, etc?
If is too good to be true . . .
We've all heard that old phrase before but we are reminding you again! If you get a letter stating that you have won money, but you need to pay before you receive your winnings ... ITS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.
Everyday Money Saving Tips
- Bring your lunches and snacks to work. Put the money you would have spent in a jar and save for a
special occasion.
- Take a list when you grocery shop and stick to it; you will save money
- Check out resale shops for items like clothing, small appliances and books. Yard sales are
especially great for kids clothing.
- Develop a realistic family budget and try to stick with it.
- Contact your utility and insurance companies to see if they can work out a payment plan that
you can handle and stick to that plan. Remember that they also report your payments to the 3
Credit Bureaus.
- Save your spare change and start a rainy day fund for unexpected car repairs or other emergencies.