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A common misconception about marriage is, that in addition to uniting two lives together, it also combines two credit scores.
In actuality, your credit score is yours alone — no matter your marital status. That’s because your credit rating is an assessment of your individual creditworthiness, and the credit bureaus base that assessment on your individual history of borrowing money and paying off debt. That means no aspect of your spouse’s credit history will ever go on your credit report.
Even though your credit score is yours, however, that doesn’t mean marriage has no effect on it.
Here’s what you need to know about how getting hitched can affect your credit: [ continue reading… ]
What’s the cheesy saying that goes along with so many New Year’s advertisements?
New year, new you!
This line might not inspire you to do much more than roll your eyes, but there is something motivating about a new year that makes you want to change your personal habits.
Since the year is still fairly new, I’d like to focus on a possible goal for the remainder of it: strengthening your money-management muscles. Admittedly, this also sounds a little cheesy — but as I was thinking about it, the analogy made sense.
When you start a new workout program, it’s difficult at first. Your muscles aren’t used to being moved in unfamiliar ways and challenged beyond their ability. But after a while, they get used to being stretched and strained — and become stronger and more limber in response. This same idea can be applied to your ability to handle your finances.
Establishing new habits in your finances can be difficult at first. Your moves may feel forced, or be slow and awkward. But if you continue to challenge yourself, you’ll become stronger and more adept.
Here’s how you can stretch and strengthen your money-management skills this year: [ continue reading… ]
Recently, there’s been a lot in the news about database security breaches. From Target to Michaels to Neiman Marcus, it seems like any major retailer could be the target of a database breach.
A few years ago, one of my credit card numbers was stolen as a result of the PlayStation Network breach. Having your credit card number stolen is frustrating enough, but having your debit card information at risk is even worse.
Introverts get something of a bum deal. They’re urged to “get out of their shell” when they’re perfectly happy listening to conversations rather than participating. They’re more likely to be told to smile by strangers. And they’ll often lose out on saving money when given the chance to haggle — especially considering the fact that even extroverts find this particular type of social interaction challenging.
But introverts have some decided advantages in negotiations that they can use to become successful hagglers, without feeling overwhelmed.
Here are some ways that introverts can get the most out of haggling while staying (mostly) in their comfort zone: [ continue reading… ]
In this case, it’s increasing the demand for propane gas, one of the key sources of heating for thousands of homes and businesses.
From the middle of December through January, the price of propane increased by more than $1 per gallon. Even more alarmingly, prices jumped as high as $4-$5 per gallon by the beginning of February.
While this phenomenon can be blamed in part on the unexpected demand for heating fuel due to the Polar Vortex, there are actually a few more factors that have influenced propane prices, starting as early as last fall.
According to the Vice-President of the National Propane Gas Association, a huge wet grain harvest placed greater demands on propane stores for drying. This depletion, just a few months before an unusually cold winter, had a huge impact on national supplies.
Additionally, there have been distribution problems because of maintenance to bad pipelines. As a result, propane and natural gas suppliers in the Midwest states heaviest hit by the Polar Vortex are struggling to meet the demand.
Whatever the reason for the shortages, paying up to $5 a gallon for propane is no joke, and many consumers are angry, frustrated, and worried about being able to heat their homes through the rest of this bitter winter.
With that in mind, here are five tips for surviving the Midwest propane shortage. [ continue reading… ]
Despite my occasional weather-induced moodiness the past couple months, I’ve been happy and just enjoying life.
My thoughts, which used to focus on money a tad too much, started to shift. Now I focus more on trying to do nice things for others — especially my friends and family. Maybe this is due to the life changes I’ve gone through the past couple of years, or maybe it’s just maturity.
Either way, what makes me happy now is not earning a ton of extra money — but instead, doing nice things for others and spending time with those closest to me.
I’ve also set a goal for myself to practice acts of kindness. And, since my budget doesn’t allow for helping anyone monetarily, I’ve started making lists of the things I can do for others that don’t cost a dime.
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