It is the most important rule of any sport or competition: High score wins.
Whether you love football, baseball, basketball, hockey, or even rock-paper-scissors, the key to winning is getting the highest score. And the same is true when it comes to your credit. Score high and you will score big.
A high credit score is everything in your financial life. A high credit score is to your life what 40 points a game is to Peyton Manning’s – money in the bank. Why? Your credit score tells people – specifically banks, lenders, and credit card companies – how good your credit history is, which is critical when it comes to getting loans or lines of credit.
Your credit score is determined by a host of factors, but basically the things that most influence your score are your total amount of credit, your total amount of debt, late payments, non-payments, defaults and bankruptcies. Who determines your credit score? There are three major credit reporting agencies that give out scores: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Each of these agencies has up until very recently used their own system for calculating your credit score. But that’s currently changing thanks to a decision by the big three to create a uniform system for calculating credit scores called VantageScore. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion will continue to issue separate credit scores for each person, but with VantageScore, your three credit scores should be virtually identical. That’s the plan, at least.
In any event, you want your credit score to be 650 or higher to get the best rates from banks and creditors. How can you find out your credit score? It’s easy.
If you go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com, you can get a free copy of your credit report from all three credit agencies that will not only include your credit score, but important details about your credit history. It is important to look at your credit report because often times a credit report will have mistakes in it – which can mean a lower credit score. In fact, according to one report by the US Public Interest Research Group, 70% of credit reports have errors in them. If you find mistakes, you can contact them directly, in writing, to point out and rectify your credit record.
There are other ways you can learn about boosting your credit score. Stephen Snyder, who knows firsthand about financial struggles and how to rebound from them, provides an in-depth manual that tells how you can improve your credit score – and how that can mean lower interest rates on your credit cards, higher credit card limits, lower car payments, lower insurance rates, and more. That could have you well on your way to buying that car of your dreams, whether it’s a Mercedes or a Toyota Prius.
Philip Tirone is another good source for ways of upping your credit score. His audio book, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score: How to Win the Credit Score, allows you to listen and learn the seven little-known rules of credit. You can turn poor credit into great credit and as a result save hundreds of dollars each month. According to Tirone, even if you’ve been denied credit or think your credit is beyond repair, you can still raise your score up to 720, the key number that can get you the best interest rates and loans.
When checking your credit report, you also want to make sure you haven’t been the victim of identity theft. Identity theft can really mess up your credit score. Identity Guard provides a service that both helps you figure out your credit score and make sure someone hasn’t stolen your identity. Furthermore, Identity Guard will continue to monitor your credit history and alert you if someone tries to use your personal information to open accounts in your name.
US Search also can help when it comes to identity theft. They will provide you with a comprehensive report that tells you if anyone has used your identity illegally. Their Personal Record Profile report includes a 10-year history and information not only about you but also those you have lived with or near who may be affecting your credit.
Unlike football or baseball, there’s no such thing as running up the score when it comes to your credit score. Aim high, and you won’t be sorry.
Copyright 2006 Find Your Prosperity.com
For more stories, visit =>www.FindYourProsperity.com
Noel Brinkerhoff is founder of http://www.FindYourProsperity.com He is a nationally-published writer specializing in journalism and screenwriting whose stories have appeared in the California Journal, San Jose Magazine, State Net Capitol Journal, among others.
Have money! Will fly! Those of us bitten by the travel bug can use a travel rewards credit card to make all those plans come true. The reputed ones usually have tie-ups with airlines and hotels. Their relationship can benefit you in many ways. Here is how it works.
Understanding The Benefits Of Your Credit Card
Before you get a travel rewards credit card, see that they match your travel plans. Do you, for example, travel only by a particular airline or is there a particular hotel chain that you usually patronize? Your credit card should have a relationship with them. If you like roaming the four corners of the world, your credit card should cover the maximum destinations possible or have tie-ups with local credit card companies.
Find out the reward programs the credit card offer. It could be additional frequent flyer points, hotel discounts, gift vouchers, free upgrade to a better card or best of all, all of this and then some more.
Understanding The Drawbacks Of Your Credit Card
All benefits come with some riders and this is particularly true of credit cards. Travel reward credit cards usually have higher annual fee charges than regular credit cards. So calculate if the benefits cost more or less than that fee.
The rewards program should also be in tandem with your travel plans. It is pointless if the rewards can be reaped in snow-bound areas if you are a sun worshipper or covers your stay in a hotel when you like camping outdoors. The credit card points should also be easily converted to the promised rewards. This is possible if it can be activated online rather than with a written application, have a short waiting period and be valid for a long time before they expire. Note that some credit cards also give further rewards for frequent travels. The more you travel, the more the rewards.
So find a travel rewards credit card that suits your needs. Grill the sales representative or ask for references from existing customers before selecting one. Then just pack your bags and set off.
Zack Nelson recommends Find Credit Cards to find the best travel rewards card. See www.findcreditcards.org/type/travel-rewards.php for more information.
One way to make your wedding more memorable could be to have a theme wedding.
Taking the decision to have a theme wedding is the easier part. Deciding on the theme is harder. You could decide on a 17th century theme or a dream wedding theme, but while considering these themes, it is important to consider certain factors liIf you are looking for a fresh look theme, look at your wedding date. Every season has its own charm and you could have a seasonal theme for your wedding that would incorporate all the glory, colours and beauty of the nature around ke cost, availability personnel etc.
you. It could be memorable and unique in its own way.
Many people like to get married in late winter or early spring when nature is at its best.
In spring everything looks fresh and new after the winter’s sleepy hibernation. In spring gardens and parks are in full bloom and the colours of nature are in full swing. Shades of pastel adorn the landscape with myriad shades and romance blossoms with a new haste and height. Having a spring season theme for your marriage would evoke the same feelings in your guests albeit to a lesser extent… (No-one can compete with nature… can they?).
Spring colours for the bridesmaids are pastel shades, each a different colour would create a different look. Tables with snowdrops or daffodils… miniature ones of course would give a fresh look. Back it up with tulips adorning the décor. Fill old fashioned jam jars with fragrant candles for a garden ambience. You could add flavor to the wedding by adding pink champagne to the afternoon tea and organising dance entertainment with Morris dancing for the adults or an Easter Egg hunt for the young.
Another popular season for wedding is the Summer, June, July and August being the most preferred months owing to the warm sunshine and reduced chance of bad weather. The colour patterns of summer are spicier compared to the pastel shades of spring. A summer theme should aim to create a tropical ambience through the use of yellows, bright orange, lime green and hot pink colour themes. You could spice it up by making the bridesmaids wearing clothes of vibrant colours and more so, if they carry an exotic tropical flower different from each other and different from the normal bouquet offerings. Have the wedding breakfast in the garden incorporating barbecued fish and lime. A steel band can set the guests on fire with fun and relaxing aesthetics.
Autumn might bring some challenges to your creativity. Flowers are less abundant and the colours are down to earth with a mix of browns, gold, rust, coppers and reds. Substitute the flowers you carry with dried grass, wheat and berries, mix it up a little. Keep the food simple – soups, home made bread, fruits, cheese and roast meat. Halloween and romantic background music can work wonders with the ambience.
Winter, considered dull by some, can be the most is a magical time for weddings. The dark and cold nights could be converted to a warm ambience by use of candles, twinkling lights. Winter is when family gatherings have a special meaning and signals festive times. White, silver and blue are apt colour for a winter wedding theme. Adorn the bridesmaids with silver and turn the flower girls into little fairies with all the works – wands and wings. Tables can be adorned with white feathers and the best sweets and chocolates available, light them with indirect blue lights. Serve white chocolate with the proper adornments to get the best of the winter ambience.
Whatever the season you choose, a little creativity in the theme can go a long way in making your wedding the most memorable ever.
Jane Martin is the founder of http://www.weddingplansecrets.com/ which offer inside secrets from within the wedding industry as well as more advice on Theme Weddings.
