The only place to get your free credit report once a year is AnnualCreditReport.com.  Accept no other source!

Thanks to Clark Howard for the information.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

This stimulus package is a big one.  These ideas are just mine and feel free to disagree as I am really wanting someone to explain the other side because I am just not getting it right now.

• If we don’t have the money to spend, why are we spending it?  I realize that we need to do something.  However, I am of the mind that if we don’t liek the practices of a bank, then we don’t do any business with that bank.  If we feel that the auto industry is not being responsible with their finances, then we don’t buy their cars.  That is what bankruptcy restructuring is for.
• If it doesn’t create a job in the next 6 months, it shouldn’t be in the bill.  I don’t see any reason why $650 billion dollars is in the stimulus package to fund the digital TV switch.
• If it needs to be funded by the government, it should be passed through committee and voted on it’s merit instead of being pushed through in the stimulus package.  I am not against giving $300 million to combat violence against women, but it should go through committee and be voted on by it’s own merit.  Don’t bypass the system and sneak it in here.
• Every child needs to be taken care of.  But $2 billion for child care assistance should be passed on it’s own merit.
• Funding college scholarships will benefit in the long run but it won’t bring on new jobs in the next 6 months.  Deal with it separate and find a way to pay for it that won’t bring us further in debt.
• $4.2 billion for “neighborhood stabilization activities” should be a local governance issue.  Not a federal issue and not here.
• Come on!!! $448 billion for a new home for the Department of Homeland Defense?  Yes, it will bring more construction jobs, but why does it have to be here?  Why can’t you pay for it in the budget for DHD?
• $350 million for Agriculture Department computers? That will make their jobs easier but it won’t add a single job or stimulate any economic progress.

I think some of these spending bills are good and will increase productivity but they shouldn’t be in THIS bill.   Here are some good ideas that are in the bill that I think are good ideas.

• Money to rebuild bridges and roads
• Money to create jobs in the private sector in the next 6 months – not 2 years from now
• Giving the people back their money to spend how they want. I can spend it much better  than they can.

My financial background has taught me a few things that I do try to live by.

• If I can’t pay for it in cash, I either need to save for it or do without.
• If I can’t afford to pay it back, I don’t need to borrow – a loan or credit
• If I can’t afford to save a little each month, I am spending too much.

So please tell me where you think I am missing the boat because I totally don’t uderstand why if we are in such a deep hole already, why we need to spend $1.3 trillion after interest.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

The first one is debt/credit.  I have no idea why we haven’t added it sooner because we talk a lot about the effects of debt.  I guess in the past we have just lumped it into financial matters.  No more!  I think debt needs a category for itself.

The other category is product reviews.  To save money, before I buy certain items I find myself surfing the web to find out what others say about the product.  We have tested products too, so why not pass on the helpful information to you? 

Don’t worry.  We plan to keep our integrity in tact.  I do not believe in giving an item a good review just because it was given to me.  In fact, earlier this year a product was given to me and I chose not to do the review because I did not have good things to say about the product. 

Our houses are full of products that we like and don’t like and now we can pass our opinions on to you so that you can make a frugal decision.

What else would you like to see at Thrifty Mommy?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Your new Discover Card credit limit is $14,200.00.

Your increased buying power makes Discover Card the best choice for all your purchases.

They even enclosed another three checks.  Oh geez.  How lucky am I?    :p

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Adding a family member or friend as an authorized user on an existing credit card account has often been used as a way to establish credit.  But some credit repair organizations have recently used this system (called “credit renting”) as a way to sell authorized user account access to consumers with credit problems.  –Fair Isaac’s Craig Watts 

The loophole will close beginning in September with one of the three major credit reporting agencies.  The other two agencies will change in 2008.

Source – USA Weekend

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Buying Loss Leaders and Leaving: Stores put these buy 1 get 1 free offers on the front of the sales flyer to lure you in.  They’re hoping and expecting that once you’re there, you’ll do the rest of your shopping.  If you just buy these items, then they’re losing money.

Using Credit and Paying it Off on Time:  Stores don’t offer you 0% financing for 6 months to help you out.  They do this because they know that most people will slip up at some point during the 6 month period and they will be charged the entire interest.  These deals can be dangerous.  You must abide by their terms or pay the price.  Pay attention and make sure your payments are received on time.

Saying NO to Extended Warranties:  Extended warranties are a huge money maker for stores.  Unless it’s a big ticket item that you can’t afford to replace, you shouldn’t buy an extended warranty.  Babies ‘R Us tried to talk me into an extended warranty on my carseat.  I mean, really, what can go wrong with a carseat?  So far, buying the extended warranty on our computers has been a smart choice for us, although my husband would recommend buying the warranty through the company and not through the store you bought the computer from (What a hassle!). 

Activating Your Own Cell Phone with a Cell Phone Company:  My hubby and I have done this many times.  Just last month, we bought a new razor for me because my other phone locked up.  We paid about $120 for my phone on e-bay, rather than getting a free phone with an additional 2 years tacked on to our contract.  Without extending my contract, the phone would have cost about $275 through the company.

Buying 1 when it’s 2 for $5:  Just because something says 2/$5 or 10/$10 doesn’t mean you have to buy that many (unless specifically specified in the ad).  Some grocery stores, such as Lowe’s Foods, will let you have BOGO items at 1/2 price.  Just get what you need.

Buying Seasonal Items at Clearance Prices for Next Year:  Seasonal items make retailers a good deal of money.  When the season is over, these stores must make room for new merchandise.  This is your chance to take advantage of low prices. 
What kinds of offers do you take advantage of?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

The next carnival will be hosted here at Thrifty Mommy.  Deadline for submissions is Saturday, February 24 at 3 pm (EST).  Click here to submit your article.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Oh, I am so ticked!!!  The bill I got was from a collection agency.  We haven’t had that account in years . . . 4 1/2 to be exact!  They certainly haven’t sent me a bill for the money owed or I would have paid it.

I called the collection agency.  So far, the bill hasn’t gone against my credit.  One of the people from the agency advised me to pay the $64.  Errrr!  I am so mad!  I have a way awesome credit score and I don’t want to ruin it.  I asked for proof that I owed the money. 

The agency even said that the last payment that U.S. Cellular received from me was in June 2002.  Then they said that U.S. Cellular tried to send me a bill, but we had moved.  We didn’t move for over a year after June 2002.  I asked why I am just now receiving a bill from a collection agency when I didn’t even know I owed any money.  They said they are receiving a lot of calls from other people about this same issue.  Errrr!  I’m so mad!

I guess I have 2 options:  1) pay the $64 whether I owe it or not or 2) dispute the amount owed.

You may say just pay the $64 and be done with it.  But why should I pay $64 of my hard earned money if I don’t know if I owe it?  Should I just pay money to every company that sends me a bill for $64 because I am scared that my wonderful credit score will be tarnished? 

Where is Clark Howard when I need him?  I wish I had his number on speed dial.

So what do YOU think I should do?  Impatiently waiting for a response . . .

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Due to new Federal Consumer Protection laws, everyone is allowed to receive one free copy of their credit report per year from each of the credit bureaus.  Since there are three major credit reporting bureaus, this means you can get a free copy every 4 months. 

Be sure and write down the dates on your calendar or palm pilot to remind you of when you need to order one of the three free credit reports.  For instance, you can get one from Equifax in January, Experian in May, and TransUnion in September.   

Remember, it can sometimes take years to get your identity back and prove your innocence.  This prevention measure can save you big bucks and migraines when it comes to identity theft or other credit related headaches.

You may order each of your free copies from:
Annualcreditreport.com:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

For further reference:
Equifax (800-685-1111), Equifax.com
Experian (888-397-3742) Experian.com
TransUnion (800-916-8800).   Transunion.com 

P.S.  Be very skeptical of any other companies that offer free credit reports.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

There have been 788 incidents of lost information by the federal government.  Nineteen agencies have lost information on the general public and on federal employees.   The Commerce Department has lost more than 1,000 laptops used by the U.S. Census Bureau.

So, how safe do you think your information is??????  I’m not so sure myself.  Pretty scary when you think about it.  In 23 states, it is possible to freeze your credit.  Even if nothing suspicious is going on, this might be good advice for you to follow.  To check the list for your state, click here and then view the information on consumersunion.org.

Thanks for the tip, Clark.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy