There has been a lot of talk lately on the news about people getting ripped off by illegitimate Credit Repair Agencies.  Personally, I wouldn’t even use one.  You can pretty much do all the work that they are going to do yourself by following a few simple steps.  Call your credit card companies and ask them to lower your rate.  If they tell you they can’t, speak to a supervisor.  A few years ago I called Capital One’s credit card company to cancel my credit card.  I had three and didn’t need that many.  While I was on the phone with them, they asked me why I was cancelling my card.  I informed them of my decision, and also told them the rate was too high.  They offered to lower the rate to 4.9%, so I decided to keep them for awhile longer. Write down exactly how much you owe each debtor, the minimum payment, and how much extra you can pay towards it each month.  Put any “extra” money towards the highest interest rate loan.  I know many people [...]

With the cost of gas skyrocketing, there’s no secret that everyone would like to save money on gas. I’ve compiled a few tips to help ease the burden at the gas pump. Visit Gas Buddy to check out the lowest prices for gas in your area. People update this throughout the day, so you don’t have to drive around town looking for the lowest prices on gas. All the work is done for you! Get a credit card that gives you money back on your gas purchases. Keep your tires inflated properly. If they are not at the proper limit, not only will it hurt your gas mileage, it will also cause unnecessary wear and tear on your tires. Combine your trips. The less you have to go out, the better. It is only common sense that you will save money on gas by combining your trips. Carpool. Find someone at work that lives by you and carpool. You can share the cost of gas if you want, or alternate driving. Don’t make sudden stops or starts. Those eat up [...]

On March 13, 2008, the new $5 bill will be unveiled.  It’s going to be a lot more colorful and a lot harder to counterfeit.  There will be new watermarks, a security thread, and bright, bold colors to distinguish it from it’s predecessor.  One of the most noticeable changes is the bright purple “5″ in the lower right corner on the back of the bill. Designed for the visually impaired, the bold “5″ makes it easy to determine which denomination bill is in a person’s wallet.  An arch of purple stars decorates the front of the bill, and the black oval that once framed Abe Lincoln has been removed.  Small yellow 5s are also sprinkled on the front and the back of the bill. The average life of a $5 bill is 16 months in circulation before having to be destroyed and replaced. There will be two different watermarks on the new bill.  A 5 watermark will replace the old watermark that was a portrait of Lincoln.  It will appear to the right of him on the bill.  To the [...]