Your credit score is important. More so now than years ago, since even prospective employers are looking at credit scores during the hiring process. They are looking for responsibility and reliability and believe the credit score can help them in their hiring decision. (And your ‘reasons’ for a low score don’t carry much weight.)So it’s imperative to keep track of your score and to review on an annual basis, but not more than that because, amazingly enough, checking your credit score can lower your credit score. Keep that in mind any time you apply for a new card or a loan. Each of those applications also includes a check into your score. But where do you go on your annual check to get your score? How bout those three singing dudes on TV? They have a ‘free report’ website – or do they?

They may have had a catchy jingle years ago, but by now you are probably tired of those three guys from Free Credit Report commerical. Oddest part is, even though they only play extremely simple songs, they are not playing their instruments or singing, simply miming the action and lip syncing.

The downside to the commercials, apart from the fact that they are really getting old, is that the service they are offering is not really free. You’d think it would be, with a URL like that, but the service is definitely trying to upsell you from the moment you plug that web address into your computer. So what should you do?

Well, on this one the federal government has come to the rescue. (to some degree) AnnualCreditReport.com is the website of choice if you want to get your numbers without the barrage of ads and pop-ups. To begin the process, just got to the site, select your state and press the request report button.

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Advertizing Tactics Ruin Household Budget. Spend Less Money, Ignore Brainwashing, Save, Save, Save

February 22, 2010

Advertising drives spending in most countries. Until you see an ad for product X you weren’t even aware it existed, and suddenly you go from blissful ignorance to “gotta have it” in 30 seconds. That may be a slight exaggeration, but instant gratification has become a way of life for many people.
Some of this is [...]

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Goal Setting: Life Goals, Career Goals and Objectives

February 15, 2010

There is widespread dissatisfaction with jobs and lives that people are leading these days. Some folks want to blame that on the direction the world is taking. Unfortunately we are splintered as a race and the “right direction” for one group is not going to match the “right direction” for another, so we have strife [...]

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Organization and Financial Success

January 28, 2010

I think one of the most important things to think about as you move into the new year is how you take care of your financial obligations and how you handle your cash flow. Cash flow is an important concept and one that some people seem to have trouble grasping.
All of your income and all [...]

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Impacting With Words

January 11, 2010

Don’t underestimate your impact in this world. The slightest thing you do can change the course of many many lives.
Example:

Words are like knives…

About ten years ago I was working with a guy named Todd. Todd and I got along really well and had many interesting conversations, some deep, some shallow, most I don’t even [...]

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Year End Action Items

December 28, 2009

It’s the end of the year and most people are busy with the holidays. Finishing up with Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or what-have-you, or preparing for new year’s eve. But there is something else you should be thinking about. This year’s taxes. (I covered my ears in anticipation of the groans.) Now is the time to [...]

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New York Stock Exchange Closed for Ten Days!

December 11, 2009

New York Stock Exchange Closed for Ten Days!
An Economic Crisis of Unexpected Proportions
Crazy times erupted in the stock market as banks overextended credit and there was a panic as banks closed due to the panic involved. The over extension of credit was in the form of loans to cover operating expenses and planned expenditures in [...]

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New Car Equals House … Continued

November 1, 2009

Yes. I hear you. The response was unexpected (at least to that degree) but I am standing firm on this one, and hear me out.
First objection: Are the insurance numbers exaggerated? Not for me. I had a dui a number of years ago so the numbers are accurate for me. Plus depending on the options [...]

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Buy a new car, lose a house in the process

October 29, 2009

had a discussion with my 18 year old daughter about cars. This was sort of like talking to a priest about sex. Except a priest, a really astute one, will have at least a basic understanding of the concept, mechanics and potential outcomes.
The conversation didn’t really have much to do with cars so much as [...]

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The Get Inspired! Project

September 29, 2009

Wow, I am thrilled to be part of The Get Inspired! Project

The Get Inspired! Project
One year, 365 interviews with people in all stages of life in all parts of the world. Four powerful questions that will allow the reader to hear different approaches taken to inspire others as well as the different needs others have [...]

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