10 Bad Money Habits That Are Robbing You Blind

Here’s how to change those bad behaviors. Developing good habits helps us focus on things that need our attention most.

Dropping bad money habits makes it easier to power up your financial life. Following are some bad money habits, and tips for ending them.

1. Carrying a credit card balance
2. Failing to fund a retirement plan
3. Not shopping for monthly service
4. Paying for cable or landline phone – – free and cheaper alternatives
5. Ignoring coupons and deal sites
6. Playing investing too safe
7. Getting hooked on lattes
8. Living without an emergency fund
9. Buying retail
10. Using shopping as entertainment

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Consider Credit Counseling If You Need Help Managing Your Debt

You may want to consider a reputable, nonprofit credit counselor. Who you turn to matters. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Go to NFCC’s website  OR Call 1 (800) 388-2227 to connect with a certified financial counselor. Beware of debt settlement companies, especially those that tell you to stop paying your bills for several months. The companies then try to use it as leverage to settle for less. That could ultimately have an impact on your credit score, since there is no guarantee it will work. Working with a credit counselor may be better for those who are adding onto existing debt, experts advise. Those who are dealing with new debt because of COVID-19 crisis may be better of advocating on their own behalf. In these trying times it may just be a fact of life that you are accumulating debt. Coming up with a plan can help you weather the crisis. Once the pandemic passes and the economy starts to improve, re-inventory your outstanding debt. Devise a plan to start chipping away at it.

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You Can Now Get a Free Credit Report Every Week

Here’s why you should take advantage of this yearlong offer. The three credit-reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – are offering free weekly credit reports to all Americans for one year. You can access your free report at anytime by visiting the official website of the companies www.annualcreditreport.com. In a joint statement issued April 20, 2020, the three companies said the move was a response to the coronavirus pandemic, and the financial hardship it is causing for millions of Americans therefore making credit reports more accessible more often so people can better manage their finances and make necessary steps to protect their credit rating. The agencies are urging people who fall into financial difficulty to seek help. The single most important action for consumers who cannot pay their bills right now is to talk with lenders to find out if they are offering any assistance. You will get access to your credit report ONLY and NOT your credit score. To get your credit score for free visit: 7 Ways to Get Yours for Free

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How will a car possession affect my credit?

Here’s what happens when there’s no place to go but up. Damaged credit takes time to heal. Late payments, missed payments, repossessions: Nearly, every black mark will stay on your your credit history for seven years. After seven years, the law requires that most negatives, including repossessions, have to be removed. The good news is, though, is that the older the injury, the less it hurts. So as things like late payments and repossessions age, they affect your credit less. How much will a repossession affect your credit score? It depends where your credit score is at the time. if your score is high, the effect of a repossession would be greater. If your score is low, the effect would be less.

SOLUTION: Call your creditors, when your payments will be late or you have trouble paying the full amount. NEVER ignore the problem.  It will only get worse. REFINANCE a high interest car loan to make the payments smaller, you can sell the car and get a less expensive one you can afford. REMEMBER: There are things you can do before your car is repossessed. CALL: A free credit counseling service to get free advice if you are in debt or have trouble paying your bills. There are lots of options for consumers to remedy debt problems. USE them! You will be glad you did!

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22 Things You Should Always Buy at the Dollar Store. The dollar store has great bargains on these purchases with rock bottom prices.

1. Greeting cards
2. Party supplies
3. Notebooks
4. Gift bags, boxes, and wrapping paper
5. Storage containers
6. Seasonal decor
7. Reading glasses
8. Hair accessories
9. Pregnancy tests
10. Tote bags
11. Vases and decorative bowls
12. Mugs and glasses
13. Dinnerware
14. Plastic food containers
15. Picture frames
16. Bagged or boxed candy
17. Socks
18. Washcloths and dish towels
19. Plastic buckets (mops and brooms)
20. Pain relievers
21. Coffee filters
22. Travel size toiletries

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Ways to Help Seniors During the Coronavirus Crisis

The coronavirus pandemic is a scary time for everyone. Elders who are living alone might enjoy your help. Consider the following:

1. Do their yard work
2. Play games online
3. Talk, text and make video calls
4. Get groceries
5. Encourage online workouts (to move muscles and limbs)

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These time-tested methods can help us live smarter today. Here are some frugal strategies worth resurrecting:

1. Mending
2. Hang-drying clothes
3. Gardening
4. Canning
5. Bartering
6. Buying used (clothes, cars etc.)
7. Salvaging (repurpose things you already have)
8. Creative reuse
9. Waiting (and saving to make a major purchase)

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Beware of these 5 Common Work-from-Home Scams

You can spot scammers and con artists with a little know-how. The idea of staying home and working in your pajamas can sound appealing. But use caution when search for such work. That great-sounding work-from-home job offer may be an internet scam in disguise.Most job websites are not policed.  Rarely are these work-at-home schemes legitimate, nor do they provide any income except for the scammers who operate them. To check out a job offer search online for the company name and job title and the keyword “scam.” Beware of the following:

1. Request for advance fees
2. Offers to become a mystery shopper
3. Offers to earn ‘big money’ through data entry
4. Envelope-stuffing job offers
5. Offers to make money through medical billing

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10 Colleges That Offer Free Tuition for Seniors

These schools let retirement-age students study, tuition-free, while earning college credit. Seniors enjoy discounts for just about everything. Did you know that can even include the cost of higher education? You can earn credit toward a degree – without the burden of crippling student loans. Admission is likely dependent whether space is available. This is your chance advance a career, change direction or finish a degree you started many moons ago.

1. University of Alaska
2. University of Arkansas
3. Clemson University
4. University of Connecticut
5. University of Delaware
6. Georgia Tech
7. University of Illinois
8. University of Kentucky
9. University of Maryland at College Park
10. Penn State at University Park

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