Are financial goals part of your New Year's Resolutions? Take our survey! … [Read more...]
8 Tips for Smart Holiday Spending
December 10, 2012 By 2 Comments
As the economy continues to sluggishly recover, each year around Black Friday retailers fret that shoppers will forgo holiday gift shopping, or drastically cut back on spending. However, a recent myFICO survey indicated that while folks plan to flex their credit cards this holiday season, most are planning a modest budget — 65% of respondents said they’d expect to charge less than $500 on their credit cards this year. That’s good news for retailers and for shoppers’ credit health. But it’s one thing to plan not to overspend, and another thing to successfully execute said plan. How many of us plan not to overindulge on treats at holiday parties, but inadvertently wind up with a belly ache, a scattering of red & green crumbs around our shirt, wondering how we managed to pack … [Read more...]
Debt Concerns Shape Holiday Spending Plans
December 3, 2012 By 2 Comments
According to a study conducted by myFICO, credit card debt continues to be consumers’ biggest financial worry as the new year approaches. Nearly one third of respondents are cutting back on holiday spending and plan to practice conservative credit behaviors this year. Only 20 percent will consider opening new credit card accounts, and approximately 65 percent expect to charge less than $500 on their credit cards – a figure that most consider moderate and within their budget. … [Read more...]
Turn Extra Halloween Candy Into Cash
October 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Happy Halloween! If you’re like most Americans, you have a stockpile of candy ready for the trick or treaters who’ll be knocking on your door tonight. However, whether you have kids of your own or you’re just passing out the goodies, the prospect of extra candy lying around the house can be daunting. In addition to potentially sabotaging your own diet, most parents don't want their kids feasting on sugary empty calories for weeks on end. But what’s the alternative - taking the excess candy and throwing it away? It's wasteful, and you have to play the Bad Guy. Fear not! There's an alternative solution that not only rids your house of excess candy, it puts extra cash in your pocket: the Halloween Candy Buyback program. The program works in … [Read more...]
Secrets of FICO High Achievers
October 25, 2012 By 2 Comments
More than 50 million people have the bragging rights of being FICO "High Achiever" (a FICO Score of 785 and above) which can save them thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a loan. A recent myFICO study reveals that these "High Achievers" exhibit strikingly similar credit habits. … [Read more...]
Financial Lessons for Kids at Any Age
September 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
It’s never too early to start teaching your kids about good personal finance. A few key, simple lessons about money at even a very early age will create a strong foundation of good financial habits that will benefit them for years to come. Here are some quick tips for easy finance lessons at any age: PRESCHOOL Food isn’t free. Take your children with you while you grocery shop and tell them what different items cost. Explain that you can only buy what you can afford. Start a piggy bank. Give your child his or her own personal piggy bank and make rules about when it can be emptied. GRADE SCHOOL Money must be earned. Start an allowance in exchange for … [Read more...]
Watch Out for 6 Signs of Identity Theft
July 24, 2012 By 1 Comment
Identity theft can have a devastating impact on your life, affecting far more than just your pocketbook. Keep an eye out for these 6 warning signs that could mean your identity has been stolen. Unexpected phone calls from creditors. Identity theft can have a devastating impact on your life, affecting far more than just your pocketbook. Keep an eye out for these 6 warning signs that could mean your identity has been stolen. If you get a call from a creditor demanding payment for a purchase no one in your family made, have the caller give you all the information possible and investigate. Strange credit card charges. It's easier to spot these if you keep all your receipts and reconcile them with your statements each month. Getting turned down for … [Read more...]
College Students: Study These Tips to Build Good Credit
July 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Is a friend or someone in your family going off to college soon? Here's some credit advice to pass along to the college-aged loved ones in your life: One card is enough. Students should establish a responsible credit history before adding additional cards. Browse good choices for student cards. Be diligent with payments. Be sure to emphasize credit decisions can have a critical financial impact later in life. Understand the effect of late payments. Keep a low balance. Start early, and encourage the habit of using only a small portion of available credit. Read more about the effect of amounts owed. Learn about credit. Add Credit 101 to the curriculum. Read this free booklet "Understanding Your FICO Score" for a great … [Read more...]
Celebrate Financial Independence
July 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Fourth of July means barbecues, the beach, fireworks and family – but take a moment this holiday to contemplate your financial freedom. Having a great credit score makes it easier to pursue the American dream, so follow these four easy steps towards cultivating a strong FICO Score and long-term financial health: Create a Budget With so many free budget tools available online and on your smartphone, there’s no excuse for not hammering out a plan. Sign up for a service that tracks your weekly spending and helps you stay within your budget goals – and then apply those extra savings to paying down your debt. Read more about debt management. Set Up Automatic Payment Reminders Don’t let forgetfulness wreak havoc on … [Read more...]
5 Things Mom Was Right About
May 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mom’s always right. She probably told you this a million times throughout your formative years, perhaps falling on deaf or defiant ears. However, at a certain point in life, we realize that mom really was right. Many of us recall our favorite Mom-isms, ranging from “if you keep making that face it’ll stick that way” to “this hurts me more than it hurts you.” However, some of those classic sayings can also be applied to good personal finance management. In honor of Mother’s Day and the Moms we love, here are the top 5 Mom-isms that translate to important financial lessons. “You never know until you try.” Translation: Don’t be in the dark about your FICO score. A lot of folks are just plain scared to check their FICO … [Read more...]
