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 Tips for Improving Your Credit Score    May 2007
Whether your credit is already good or could use some improvement, managing your personal finances in ways that enhance your creditworthiness is always smart. Adopting sound practices that enhance your credit score is a good place to start. The topic of credit scores has been in the personal finance news since credit reporting agencies began to make such scores available to consumers a couple of years ago. Of course, this event also opened the door to a number of Web-based companies that offer to provide your score and charge outrageous fees for what may be inaccurate information and for what you can get yourself for much less. The StraightTalk Report, “What is a Credit Score, and How Can it Affect Your Credit?” explains credit scoring and tells you how to get accurate info about your scores for a reasonable fee. What Is a “Credit Score” And How Can It Affect Your Credit?April 2007
Credit Scoring is a system of statistically analyzing credit reports that provides a simple three-digit score comparing an individual’s past and current credit performance to that of similar consumers. Your credit score provides lenders, or other potential creditors such as insurance companies or landlords, a quick, fairly objective way to assess your creditworthiness—or likely ability to pay back a loan or mortgage or pay the rent. Knowing your credit score (along with regularly checking your credit report) is a smart thing to do. What is a credit score?A “credit score” is often called a “FICO score,” after the Fair Isaac Company, which developed the most widely used analytical system and software. It may also be called a “credit rating.” Although individual credit bureaus or credit reporting agencies (CRAs) adapt, add to or modify Fair Isaac models to suit their needs and provide their own credit score, most use the FICO score or system as a foundation. Read more: What Is a “Credit Score” And How Can It Affect Your Credit? Want a Quick Federal Tax Refund? Think E-Fileupdated March 2008
Expecting a refund on your 2007 federal income tax return? Want it quickly? Then e-filing your return is a smart choice. Get it even faster by having your refund deposited directly in your credit union checking or savings account. You may even qualify for free e-filing. How does e-filing work? This month's report profiles e-filing. Advantages of E-FilingThere are various reasons to file your taxes electronically. Here are a few:
Financing Higher Education—Checking Out Education LoansFebruary 2007
The cost of post-secondary education—college, university, community college or career or trade schools—continues to rise. But pursuing higher education can be worth the investment. A recent report "Education Pays 2006" from the College Board found that in 2005 women (aged between 25-34) with bachelor's degrees earned 70% more than women in the same age group who had only a high school diploma. Men in this age group with bachelor's degrees earned 63% more than male high school graduates. And on average how much more did the college grads earn? $14,000 a year. Most important, there are many sources of financial aid to help you pay for post-secondary education. The College Board reports that approximately two-thirds of all students receive financial aid. Although at the mention of "financial aid" most of us think "scholarships" or "grants" (assistance that does not need to be repaid), in fact, education loans of many types make up a substantial portion of the financial aid available to many students. This report takes a look at the most common loan opportunities available for higher education and provides information on how you can learn more. Read more: Financing Higher Education—Checking Out Education Loans Shopping Safely OnlineJanuary 2007
How should you pay for your purchase?Always make payment for your purchase through the shopping cart or payment service setup by the website. If any seller wants you to make other arrangements to send the payment don't complete the transaction. Thinking of Donating Your Used Vehicle to Charity?
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Web LinksNovember 2009The 2010 Census is fast approaching. Every household will receive a questionnaire in February or March 2010. Census phishing and email scams are already appearing. These tips from the Census Bureau will help you avoid the scams. The 2010 Fuel Economy Guide is now available. The annual fuel cost estimates in the online 2008-2010 fuel economy guides are updated weekly to reflect the Energy Information Administration's current national average prices for gasoline and diesel fuel. How to pay down your debt Net Cetera: Chatting With Kids About Being Online RSS Feed Feed Entries 
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Throughout 2007, the number of people shopping online and the number of purchases online is expected to continue to grow rapidly. Whether you buy online frequently or just occasionally, online shopping isn't risk or hassle free, however. As you start the New Year, here are some good pointers and tips for shopping safely on the Internet.
December 2006