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How to Increase Your Credit Score 100 Points in 7 Easy Steps

How to Increase Your Credit Score 100 Points in 7 Easy Steps

Your credit score is the gateway to almost all your financial goals — from applying for a mortgage to purchasing a car. Having a good credit score can help you get the credit you need, as well as receive better interest rates and terms on loans, cell phone service plans and more.
So, what do you do if your credit score isn’t top-notch? Here are tips for how to increase your credit score by 100 points:

1. Check your credit score

You can’t start improving your credit score until you know where you stand. There’s a common misconception that checking your credit score lowers it. This isn’t accurate — only a soft inquiry occurs when you check your credit and it won’t affect your score because you’re not formally applying for credit.

So, where to get your score? You may be able to access your credit score for free through your bank, credit union or credit card company. Bank of America, Discover and Wells Fargo are examples of financial institutions and credit card companies that offer free FICO scores to customers. Your credit score will fall within the range of 300 to 850. Here are the rankings:

FICO Score ranges and ratings
• 850-800 — Exceptional
• 799-740 — Very good
• 739-670 — Good
• 669-580 — Fair
• 579-300 — Very poor

To get the best interest rate when applying for loans, your goal should be to have a good or better FICO Score. As you can see, a credit score increase of 100 points can have a huge impact on your financial life.
Here are the factors that affect your credit score, and how they’re weighted to determine your final score:
• Payment history (35% of your score): Your record of payment — whether on time or late — has the most influence on your credit score.
• Amounts owed (30% of your score): How much debt you owe in total — and your balances on revolving credit lines — are also heavily weighted.
• Length of credit history (15% of your score): How long (or short) your credit history is can also positively or negatively impact your score.
• Credit mix (10% of your score): Having a report with diverse accounts — like installment, credit card and retail accounts — can show creditors you have experience managing different account types, which can be also positive for your score.
• New credit (10% of your score): Too many inquiries for new accounts can signal that you’re a credit risk and that can also lower your score.

2. Review your credit score report for errors

Once you know where your credit score stands, it’s time to check your credit reports from each of the major credit reporting bureaus.

Your credit report includes the positive and negative credit history that impacts your score. Credit reports list your financial accounts with payment history (e.g., credit cards, installment loans and retail accounts) and, in some cases, public records or accounts in collections.

Due to COVID-19, you can now request a credit report for free once a week from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus — Equifax, TransUnion or Experian — at annualcreditreport.com.

Scan your report to look for any errors, such as accounts that don’t belong to you or incorrect late payments. If you’re wondering how to increase your credit score by 100 points fast, erasing negative records on your credit report, like an inaccurate late payment or a delinquent account that was fraudulent opened in your name, could be one way to do it.

You can dispute errors on your credit report by opening inquiries with each of the three major credit bureaus online or by writing a letter. Be prepared to provide any documents proving the mistake in your credit report. Don’t forget to follow up if you don’t get a response within 30 days.

When you’re looking at your credit report, also take note of which parts of your credit history have room for improvement. Do you have high debt balances? Have you missed payments recently? These are two key areas to consider focusing on to help grow your score in the coming months.

3. Address any outstanding payments

The biggest part of your credit history that may be working against your goal of quickly improving your credit score is your payment history. Missed payments that are more than 30 days late, for example, can lower your credit score roughly 100 points, and late payments stay on your credit report up to seven years.

The good news is that with time, the effect of late payments on your credit history will lessen. That’s because the impact of these payments gets smaller as they’re canceled out by more frequent and recent on-time payments.

Generally, the longer the account goes unpaid, the more impact it can have on your score, so don’t assume all is lost if a 30-day late payment pops up on your report. Clearing up the unpaid balance right away can help you avoid having it spiral into a more damaging 60-day or 90-day late payment.

Keep in mind that late payments — whether a few days late or months late — can affect more than just your credit standing. Credit card issuers often charge late fees and a penalty APR may also kick in when you miss a payment. Racking up late fees and high-interest charges can make it harder to control your debt balances.

4. Calculate your credit utilization ratio

Your credit utilization ratio compares the total amount of revolving credit available to you to the total balance you owe. A low ratio shows lenders you have more capacity to take on different lines of credit and have your balances under control.

Meanwhile, a high ratio signals to lenders that you may be having trouble managing your debts, thereby signaling you may be a risky customer. As a result, lenders may choose not to lend to you, or they may approve you for a loan or credit card with a higher interest rate.

To increase your credit score quickly, your credit utilization ratio should be less than 30% of your total available credit. To calculate your overall rate, follow these steps:

1.List your credit cards, as well as the balances and credit limits they carry
2.Add up your credit card balances
3.Add up your credit card limits
4.Divide your total balances by your total limits
5.Multiply by 100

Here’s an example of how this works if you had the following three credit cards:

Credit card Balance Credit limit Utilization ratio
Card A $2,500 $4,500 56%
Card B $1,300 $2,000 65%
Card C $850 $5,000 17%
Total $4,650 $11,500 40%

To find out your overall credit utilization ratio, you would divide $4,650 by $11,500 to arrive at 0.40. Then multiple by 100 to get 40%. This would be your credit utilization rate, and as you can see, it’s above the suggested 30%.

Plus, you have to also keep individual card ratios low as well. Both Card A and B have too high a ratio and the balances need to be lowered if you want to see a credit score boost.

If your utilization rate is looking a bit high, you should focus on bringing those balances down, since 30% of your credit score is determined by the amount of debt you carry.

In fact, lowering your credit utilization ratio may be one of the fastest ways to increase your credit score by 100 points

5. Keep your cards open and active

Again, the length of your credit history accounts for 15% of your credit score. If you — or your issuer — decide to close an inactive account, not only do you lose the available credit line, you will shorten the average age of accounts.

That’s why it can be important to keep your accounts open and active. Consider charging small amounts to your cards each month and setting up auto-payments to never miss a bill to ward off the card issuer from closing your account for inactivity.

Of course, for a credit card that comes with a high fee, you may have to review both the cost and your spending habits to see if it’s worth keeping the card open.

For example, if your travel card has a $250 fee and you’re not earning enough rewards to offset this fee right now, closing the account could save you money. In that case, keep a low-fee or no-fee credit card open so you still have some positive payment history to report to the credit bureaus.

6. Open new lines of credit sparingly

Make sure you’re pacing yourself when applying for new lines of credit since these qualify as hard inquiries that can lower your score. Don’t apply for credit card accounts one after the other, especially if you plan to purchase a house or car soon as you want your credit score to be in the best possible shape.

Opening multiple accounts is a sign that you may be a credit risk and it could hurt your chances of getting approved for a car loan or mortgage.

There is one exception to this rule: If you’re rate shopping for an installment loan like a student loan, mortgage or car loan, several hard inquiries within a 30-day period have the impact of a single inquiry.
In fact, rate shopping for an installment loan is actually encouraged because it lets you compare rates, fees and terms across multiple offers so you can choose the best one. Fortunately, you won’t be penalized for being a savvy shopper.

7. Maintain a healthy mix of credit types

Having diversity in your credit report is important. By maintaining both installment loans and revolving accounts, you’ll be showing lenders you can responsibly manage several different types of credit.

This doesn’t mean you should go out and apply for a personal loan if you only have revolving credit accounts at the moment. Only borrow what you need and what you’re capable of paying back. Just be mindful of the type of accounts you’re adding to your report while building credit, and know that diversity can be a very good thing that can help give your credit score a boost.

Benefits of a better credit score

Having a better score, or improving your credit score by just 100 points, can have a big impact on your financial life. Here’s why:
1.You may qualify for better rates: When lenders see that you have a good (or better) credit score, they’re more likely to trust you’ll repay any loan they give you. As a result, you may qualify for better interest rates — say for a personal loan. Qualifying for better interest rates on various lines of credit can save you thousands of dollars during your lifetime.

2.You may be more likely to receive credit offers: If you have a bad credit score, lenders will be less obliged to market to you. When your credit score is good, you’re more likely to have a wider selection of different types of loans, mortgages or other lines of credit when you need them.

3.Good credit scores help you when applying for everyday necessities: This includes cell phone plans, apartments or homes you’d like to rent, getting utilities turned on and more.

Having a good credit score is an excellent first step to getting a head start on your financial life. By following the steps above, you can start improving your score quickly.

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No Coronavirus Break for Consumer Credit Scores

Credit industry persuaded Congress it would protect people who miss payments due to virus; consumer groups push back

Missed or late payments on car loans and other borrowing will be recorded during the coronavirus outbreak, but the credit-reporting industry will give them a special code.

WASHINGTON—The financial industry persuaded Congress to reject a moratorium on recording missed and late payments on credit reports during the coronavirus outbreak wsj.com, raising concerns that people who lose their jobs will take a lasting hit to their credit scores.

Legislation that would have prevented credit bureaus from reporting negative credit information for four months was shelved in the lobbying frenzy ahead of last week’s passage of the roughly $2 trillion economic stimulus bill wsj.com, lawmakers said.
The credit industry argued that it already has adequate measures to protect people’s credit during disasters, and that incomplete reporting would lead to lasting problems in determining people’s creditworthiness.
Democratic Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Brian Schatz of Hawaii have pledged to keep pressing for their moratorium proposal. The National Consumer Law Center said trusting creditors to help consumers “is just not acceptable.”

“While our bill didn’t make it into the final package, this issue isn’t going away,” Mr. Brown wrote on Twitter last week. “I’ll keep fighting with @brianschatz to make sure families don’t take an unfair hit to their credit during this crisis.”

A person’s three-digit credit score is based on payment history, amount of outstanding debt, length of credit history and new accounts. Payment history includes things such as mortgages, auto loans and credit card payments.

Who Gets a Piece of the $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Package

Creditors say they will use a natural-disaster code during the pandemic wsj.comfor missed or late payments, which they will flag to future lenders that the borrower isn’t at fault and won’t harm credit scores.

“Reporting negative information with a code doesn’t work because that negative information is still in the system,” said Ed Mierzwinski, who oversees the federal consumer program for U.S. PIRG, a consumer advocacy group. “We are bracing for a flood of late and missed payments because of the crisis. The only way to truly help people is to shut off the spigot of negative information from the credit bureaus.”
Messrs. Brown and Schatz introduced their negative credit reporting moratorium proposal on March 18. Three days later, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and associations representing banking, financial services companies and credit unions delivered a letter to Senate and House leadership assuring them that they don’t need to step in.

“As you consider options to protect consumers from harm, please be aware that blanket suppression of all adverse information in credit reports could disrupt consumer access to credit in the future,” the letter says.
When it came time to finalize the stimulus package last week the strict proposal was gone, replaced by a provision drafted by Republican Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, that leaves it up to creditors to help consumers through pandemic-induced economic hardship. Mr. Crapo’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment.

“Where is the political willpower to protect consumers?” asked Chi Chi Wu, a staff attorney with the National Consumer Law Center. “This is one of the few things that the federal government can do to truly help people that doesn’t cost the federal government any money.”

The credit-reporting industry says its three main companies, Experian quotes.wsj.com, Equifax quotes.wsj.com and TransUnion quotes.wsj.com, will abide by reporting restrictions Congress puts in place, but argues that limiting negative information will only make it harder for lenders to decide which borrowers to approve for loans and mortgages.

The push to suppress negative credit information comes after a series of reforms that limited the information on credit reports to protect consumer privacy, said Francis Creighton, chief executive of the Consumer Data Industry Association, which represents credit bureaus.

Credit reports no longer include certain negative information like most tax liens and judgments, meaning lenders don’t see that information when reviewing loan applicants’ likelihood of repaying their debts. Lenders can access these records in other ways.

“The lender needs to understand what a person’s ability to repay is,” Mr. Creighton said. “Taking information away from them is going to make that problem worse for consumers” through more reluctance to issue credit or through higher interest rates on loans or credit lines.

Mr. Creighton’s group is urging people affected by the economic slowdown to contact creditors directly to seek delayed payment agreements or forgiveness of some debts, under existing protocols for disasters and financial crises.
Consumer advocates said that while some creditors might work to help people, the absence of a congressional mandate to do so means that others won’t.
They listed potential problems such as larger companies not having enough customer service and training capacity to handle the deluge of concerned borrowers while smaller lenders—whose clients tend to be among the most financially vulnerable—could fail to code troubled accounts for the natural disaster.

Support for suppressing negative credit information as part of a new round of stimulus funding was growing this week in Democratic circles.
“We must suspend wage garnishment, car repossessions, credit card interest and penalties, and any negative credit reporting for the duration of the pandemic (including for at least 120 days after this is over),” Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris of California tweeted on Monday.

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How to Read the Results of Your Credit Report Dispute

So, you’ve disputed an item on one of your credit reports, and now you’ve gotten your response. Now what? These tips about how to read the results of your credit report dispute can help.

Decoding the terminology

First of all, it’s important to understand the terminology you might find in the results of your credit report dispute. Each credit reporting company can use their own phrases, and here are some terms to look out for:

  • The credit reporting company deleted the disputed information. You might see the terms “information deleted,” “deleted,” or “processed” in your credit report dispute results.
  • The credit reporting company corrected the disputed information. You might see the terms “information updated,” “updated,” or “processed” in your credit report dispute results.
  • The credit reporting company said the disputed information is accurate. You might see the terms “verified as accurate” or “remains.”
  • The credit reporting company said the disputed information is accurate and updated your report. You might see the terms “verified and updated” or “verified as accurate and updated.”
  • The credit reporting agency deemed the dispute “ frivolous.” This can happen when a credit reporting company thinks the dispute is identical to a previous dispute, or if there was missing information that would have been necessary to process the dispute. If the dispute is deemed frivolous, the dispute process will not move forward from there.Figuring out next steps

Once you understand the terminology, you’ll likely want to know what you should do next. If you’re happy with the results of your credit report dispute, then there’s most likely nothing else you need to do.

However, if you still think the report has inaccuracies, you have the option of filing a “statement of dispute.” This is a statement that can be put on your credit report that describes the information you’re disputing. You can add a statement of dispute through the credit reporting company showing the error.

Finally, if your dispute was deemed frivolous, you could re-file the dispute with the proof you weren’t able to include the first time.

Remembering the purpose of a credit report dispute

When all is said and done, it’s important to remember the purpose of disputing your credit report. The purpose of disputing a credit report is to correct inaccurate or out-of-date information. The purpose is not to clean up negative items that you wish to have removed from your report, which will happen.

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumer reporting agencies must “adopt reasonable procedures” that are “fair and equitable to the consumer, with regard to the confidentiality, accuracy, relevancy, and proper utilization of such information.”

What’s more, if the consumer finds inaccurate information on their report, the consumer reporting agency must:

“ … free of charge, conduct a reasonable reinvestigation to determine whether the disputed information is inaccurate and record the current status of the disputed information, or delete the item from the file … before the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the agency receives the notice of the dispute from the consumer or reseller.”

What all this means is that the FCRA has outlined a right for consumers to have fair and accurate credit reporting. The FCRA also empowers them with the ability to dispute inaccurate information. Although the FCRA does not outline a right to have accurate negative information removed from your credit reports, positive borrowing behavior and time can diminish the effect of negative items.

You don’t have to stop here

Credit reports are dynamic documents that are typically updated at least once a month. That’s why checking your reports regularly after a dispute can be an important tool in solving issues quickly.

Reviewing your credit reports helps you spot mistakes quickly if they happen, as well as signs of potential identity theft. In other words, this simple act is one that can help you protect your financial health in more ways than one. A little bit of time can go a long way in obtaining accurate credit reports.

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6 Ways to Shop Smarter Online

More than 79% of Americans purchased goods and services online in 2018 and that number is expected to exceed 90% in 2023.

Online shopping is becoming the norm, but that doesn’t mean we’re all pro shoppers. From the growing problem with fake reviews to browser extensions that can help you but also spy on you, the internet is constantly changing.

Meanwhile, parents have lots of things to shell out for, and buying birthday gifts is only the tip of the iceberg. There’s the rising cost of childcare, for starters. One great way to avoid lifestyle creep and keep your spending in check is to be really mindful of your online purchases.

That’s why I asked shopping experts to share their favorite tricks for getting the best deals online.

1. Be smart about fake reviews

One of the primary reasons to shop online: convenience. The downside is that you can’t see, feel or test a product. Online reviews can help, but what about fake reviews?

Kimberly Palmer, personal-finance expert at NerdWallet, always checks out reviews before making a purchase. She just takes them with a grain of salt, since many reviews are written by paid shoppers or consumers who received the product for free. “If the reviews are only positive, then I might not be getting the full story,” she says. “However, if I have a specific question—like about sizing—and a review mentions how the item fits, that can be really helpful.”

Consumer-savings expert Andrea Woroch recommends reading reviews from multiple sites for balanced feedback. “Amazon is great since they sell just about everything,” but she also likes to cross-reference expert reviews on Consumer Reports. She also checks out Facebook and Twitter for customer feedback.

2. Use browser extensions to comparison shop

Prices always vary from retailer to retailer. You don’t even need to site-hop to see it: Simply Googling a product will get you a page full of different retailers and prices.

One of my favorite tricks is to compare prices with browser extensions. These are free, easy ways to make your browser “smarter,” and are especially common on Google Chrome. While you’re looking at one site, a browser extension can report more info from elsewhere on the web—like if there are coupons or cash-back opportunities available.

Woroch uses one of my favorites, Invisible Hand. She says, “Invisible Hand provides pop-up notifications if something I’m eyeing is available for less at another retailer.”

Palmer uses Honey. ”It is constantly checking in the background to see if there is a lower price elsewhere,” she says. “It makes it easy to buy from the retailer offering the best deal.”

I’d suggest installing a few extensions and keeping one or two, based on which ones work best for you.

As this article from MoneyCrashers notes, online security shouldn’t go out the window just because you really like that new pair of threads. Keep in mind that some browser can access more data than you might feel comfortable with. According to Lifehacker, a web tool called CRXcavator can provide a security report based on data mined from the Chrome Web Store.

3. Earn cash back on your purchases

One perk of online shopping is the opportunity to earn cash back. Lifestyle expert Carey Reilly likes the Ebates (which has recently been re-named Rakuten) browser extension for this.

“You install it on your browser and then earn cash back as you shop. In a few months you get a check in the mail,” she says. “It’s really a no brainer. Sometimes I use this information to determine which site I shop at because of the percentage I receive.”

Want to double your cash back? You could always shop with a cash-back credit card, earning perks from both your card and from companies like Ebates.

4. Take a few seconds to search for coupons

Most e-tailers accept coupons, so if you’re not already using a coupon site or a browser extension that finds coupons for you, take a few minutes to look for coupons before you make your next purchase.

Palmer conducts a general web search for “coupon” and the e-tailer’s name to check for available coupons. Woroch says, “CouponSherpa is my go-to site for finding coupon codes from hundreds of online retailers. I’m also am a fan of CouponCause. Not only do they help you save, but they also give back to charities.”

Digital coupons are not revolutionary, but coupons continue to offer savings on a variety of purchases. While some coupons are submitted directly by brands, some sites, like Slickdeals and RetailMeNot, also have coupons that are submitted by users.That means you can find coupons that aren’t as common. (Full disclosure: I have worked for both Slickdeals and RetailMeNot.)

5. Get a price match without leaving your living room

Remember the days of bringing one store’s coupon with you and asking a different retailer to match or beat the price? Those days aren’t over, just easier.

If you find a lower price at one place but prefer to shop somewhere else, you might get a price match—totally online. Some retailers like Walmart, JCPenney and Home Depot may match a competitor’s price.

Palmer recommends keeping a simple written price record for items you plan to purchase. You could have a notebook on hand, make a folder of screenshots on your desktop or keep a running list in the Memo function of your phone. If you ultimately purchase from a retailer that offers matching, you can try requesting the price adjustment through online chat.

You can also take advantage of price-matching after the fact. Woroch recommends digital platform Paribus. “The site tracks purchases I’ve made online. It lets me know if something I recently bought went on sale and if it’s eligible for a price adjustment,” she says. “The site has helped me get back over $150 in the last few months!” Note, Paribus and similar services typically track purchases by connecting to your email.

6. Time your online purchases

When you buy can also make a huge difference in what you pay. “I suggest being strategic about when you buy . . . especially appliances,” Reilly says. “Make any big appliance purchases on Black Friday. Not only will there be a sale, but usually there’s a Black Friday financing sale as well. Last Black Friday, I bought a stove from Lowes at 40% off, and I received 24 months of interest-free financing (from Lowe’s). Plus cash back from Ebates and a rebate from Lowes. It was a huge savings.”

Woroch agrees that timing matters. “Shopping at the end of the season is a great way to save on the items you will eventually need. Although summer is almost over, May is coming up sooner than you think—when you may need new sandals, tank tops or swimsuits for you and your family.”

While shopping online offers unmatched convenience and a dizzying number of options, doing it well takes some planning and skill. These tactics can help you save not only time but also quite a bit of money.

That said, don’t forget about shopping in-store, especially locally. Brick and mortar businesses, especially small independent ones, need your support. And some items still require that in-person experience, whether for fit, feel or general functionality.

Whatever you choose, here’s to being the smartest, savviest consumer you can be

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In Debt After the Holidays? These 8 Tips Can Help

While the holidays are an exciting time, they often come with a hefty price tag. If you’ve overspent on gifts, travel, parties and other things during the holidays, you’re not alone. Consumers expect to spend more than an average of $1,000 during the 2019 holiday season, according to a survey from the National Retail Federation.

If you’re in debt after the holidays, these eight tips can help you pay it off and improve your financial situation for 2020.

1. Figure out which strategy you want to use

If your goal is to save the most money on interest over time, you should go with the debt avalanche strategy and pay off your high-interest holiday debt first. If you think you’ll have trouble staying motivated, opt for the snowball approach instead.
With the snowball approach, you pay off your smallest debt first, then apply the payments that you were previously using toward it to pay the next smallest debt. Keep doing this until all your holiday debt is gone.

2. Say no to luxuries temporarily

One of the easiest ways to get out of holiday debt as soon as possible is to say no to luxuries like morning Starbucks runs, manicures and random Amazon purchases. Use the money you save on luxuries to pay off your holiday debt. Remind yourself that this is temporary. Once your holiday debt is paid off, you can enjoy these luxuries once again.

3. Earn extra cash

Pick up a side gig so you can earn extra cash and pay off holiday debt without making drastic changes to your lifestyle. You can babysit, drive for Uber or Lyft, deliver food for DoorDash or Instacart, or sell unwanted items on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or LetGo. The options are endless so get creative — here are some tips.

4. Turn gift cards into cash

You may have received gift cards you don’t have any intention of using. If this is the case, sell them to people you know or strangers in your neighborhood for cash. You can also use an online marketplace like Raise.com or Cardpool.com. While you may get less than their face value, you can put the cash you earn toward your holiday debt.

5. Stop using your credit card

It’s all too easy to swipe your credit card any time you want to buy something. While you’re trying to get out of holiday debt, get into the habit of using cash. Using paper money might make you more conscious of your spending and help you stick to a budget. Sticking to cash can help you avoid digging yourself further into debt and exacerbating the problem.

6. Use unexpected money wisely

While it may be tempting to use your January bonus, birthday cash or tax refund on a new mattress, car or something else you’ve been wanting, putting it toward your holiday debt is a smart move. The sooner you get out of holiday debt, the sooner you’ll be able to save up enough money for your splurge.

7. Plan Ahead

Once you pay off your holiday debt, take the money you were using to pay it down and place it in a savings account. You can use the savings account for the next holiday season and avoid getting into debt again. Remember, it’s easier to avoid debt than it is to get out of it.

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Why You May Overspend on the Holidays and How to Stop

At Consumer Debt Help Association, we strive to help you make financial decisions with confidence. To do this, we put together a little article that you may find useful to get you thinking about holiday spending.
Holiday shopping season has a pesky habit of eating up your extra cash.
Some 51% of all Americans say they “typically overspend” on holiday gifts, according to a 2018 Survey, conducted by The Harris Poll.
Here are five reasons you might be overspending during the holidays — and how to fix them.

1. You’re shopping in the store

The first mistake? Setting foot in the store.
Once you cross that threshold into the store, you’re really on the marketer’s turf there, they spend millions on product placement and must have impulse buys.

You come in wanting to just get a sweater for your mom, and you know exactly what she wants, but they’re going to bombard you with messaging about toys for your kids, or shouldn’t you be in touch with your brother?
Those persuasive messages can tempt you to buy more than you originally intended.

Tip: If you go to the store, be laser-focused. Otherwise, shop online. You’ll avoid the in-store messaging and marketing. Plus, you can compare prices at multiple retailers with the click of a mouse.

2. You don’t know when to stop

Once you start shopping, it’s tough to know when enough is enough. Sure, you already bought your mom a blush pink sweater, but that designer purse in the window would match it perfectly. Maybe you’ll just add one more thing…
I think part of the reason why we can’t shut our wallets once we start spending on others is spending feels good.

It doesn’t help that a lot of people don’t put a dollar figure on how much they want to spend on each person, she says. And shopping without a budget can lead to overspending.

Tip: Make a list, make a budget and check them twice. “Just like Santa Claus, make a list of names, make a list of presents, make a budget for those presents on that list and then stick to it,” Goldsmith says.

3. You’re focusing on the wrong things

The next culprit? Overemphasizing the material value of the holidays.
Studies have found that the more that people oriented their Christmas season around spending and buying things, actually the lower well-being they experienced at Christmastime.

Despite this, TV, radio and internet advertisements repeat the message that happiness is obtained through shopping and that a good Christmas depends on shopping, a message that consumers hear loud and clear.

Tip: Consider unconventional gifts. Some of the people surveyed find that family has given nonmonetary presents along with traditional gifts. Think a coupon for your son that says he can skip his veggies at dinner. It’s fun, yet frugal, but always very thoughtful directed towards that special someone..

4. You’re letting emotion take over

People often overspend because they’re trying to handle some type of emotional issue, like a need for love or affection. That’s according to Dr. April Lane Benson, a psychologist and author of “To Buy or Not to Buy: Why We Overshop and How to Stop.”

Let’s say you’re buying something for someone else, You’re hoping that you’ll get the love and affection because you’ve now bought them something.
Or, you go into a store because you’re lonely, and there are salespeople there egging you on and making conversation with you, and you start to feel less lonely.

The result? You buy more than you need.

Tip: Before you make any purchases this holiday season (or anytime, really), Benson recommends stopping and asking yourself a series of questions:
1. Why am I here?
2. How do I feel?
3. Do I need this?
4. What if I wait?
5. How will I pay for it?
6. Where will I put it?
What that does is create a delay between the impulse and the action. That moment of delay can get us back into gear.

5. You’re procrastinating

The final reason your holiday gifts could run up a hefty tab? You’re buying them too late.

If you’re shopping at the last minute, you’re definitely going to go over budget.

You don’t have the selection and you don’t have the time that you need. Like if you’re shopping online, you’re not going to have the time, and you’re going to end up spending more on shipping.

Tip: Shop early and, when possible, avoid the last few days before Christmas. Those who wait until Christmas Eve hoping for good deals may actually end up spending more. After all, stores know there will be plenty of last-minute shoppers, so there’s less incentive to put things on sale.

Finally Calculate your spending

Consumers say they will spend an average of $1,007.24 during the holiday season this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2018 Holiday Spending Survey, conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.
Most people can not afford this, and creating a realistic budget and calculate your spending will greatly help you get through this Holiday Season with the least amount spent and the most gratification for the Holidays.

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Birthday Freebies, Budget Savvy People Are Always Looking For the Best Deal.

On your big day you don’t have to spend a bundle to have a memorable birthday celebration. Instead of your bank account emptying on a big party or birthday dinner with pals, strive to eat, drink, shop and enjoy yourself for less or even free on your special day.

Birthday boys and girls of all ages can take advantage of the many special offers available from businesses around the U.S. While some gifts can only be collected on your actual birthday, others are available the whole month. Here are 60 ways to score freebies, deals and discounts on your special day.

Birthday Breakfast, Coffee and Tea Deals

Coffee is key if you plan to celebrate late into the night on your birthday. And while Starbucks offers solid deals year-round, it’s not the only place you can spend the morning on your special day.
Argo Tea: Each LoyalTea club member can enjoy a free drink worth up to $5 on his birthday.
DavidsTea: Membership in the DavidsTea Frequent Steeper loyalty program gets you a free cup of tea on your special day.
Denny’s: Get a free Grand Slam birthday breakfast at this popular restaurant chain.
IHOP: Subscribe to IHOP’s Pancake Revolution email list and get a free, full stack of pancakes for every birthday. Members must be at least 13.
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery: Join My Perkins, the email list for this nationwide family restaurant, and get a special gift on your birthday.
Starbucks: Enjoy a free tea, coffee or other Starbucks item for your birthday when you sign up for My Starbucks Rewards online. Just show your registered card to receive your treat.
Dunkin Donuts – DD Perks members get a free Dunkin’ beverage on their birthday, too.

Birthday Dinner Deals

“If you go out on your birthday, make sure to ask local restaurants and shops if they offer a birthday discount or freebie,” said Kendal Perez of Coupon Sherpa. Here are some of the best birthday dinner deals available:
Baja Fresh: Join the Club Baja email list to get a free special treat on your birthday.
Benihana: During their birthday months, members of the Benihana Chef’s Table list get a $30 email certificate for use toward a meal.
Black Angus Steakhouse: Get a free steak dinner on your birthday in your first year as a Prime Club member.
Don Pablo’s: Register to receive a $10 coupon, redeemable during the four weeks following your special day.
Ruby Tuesday: Enjoy a free burger or garden bar entree on your birthday when you join the So Connected email list.

Birthday Ice Cream and Smoothie Deals

Ice cream goes with birthday cake like peanut butter with jelly. Score ice cream at these chains on your big day.
Baskin-Robbins: Join the Baskin-Robbins birthday club and get a free scoop of ice cream on your birthday.
Booster Juice: Sign up online a week before your birthday to become a member of Booster Nation and receive an email coupon good for a free smoothie.
Cold Stone Creamery: Join the My Cold Stone Club and get a “buy one, get one free” ice cream deal emailed to you for your birthday.
Dairy Queen: Get a coupon for a free Blizzard when you buy one by signing up online for the Blizzard Fan Club. You’ll score an extra coupon on your birthday.
Jamba Juice: Enjoy a free birthday juice or smoothie when you sign up for Jamba Insider Rewards.
Marble Slab Creamery: Membership in the Slab Happy Rewards loyalty program will get you $5 off on your birthday.
Planet Smoothie: Get a free birthday smoothie every year when you sign up for the Planet Smoothie Club.
A&W – Looking for more ice cream? A&W Mug Club members get a free root beer float on their birthday.

Even when its not your Birthday, Dairy Queen loves spring with their First Day of Spring Free Ice Cream Celebration.
Birthday Chocolate and Frozen Yogurt Deals

Birthdays are the ideal time to indulge. Snag these delights, Chocolate dipped and other desserts.

Edible Arrangements: Sign up for Edible Rewards online and get a free, 12-count chocolate Dipped Fruit box during your birthday month.
Godiva: Sign up for the Godiva Rewards Club and get a free birthday treat when you show your card in the store. Rewards change monthly.
Great American Cookies: Join the Great American Cookies email list and get a free treat on your birthday.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: Sign up for the mySmileage rewards program and receive a $5 credit to use during your birthday month.
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt: Sign up for the Ounce Back loyalty card and receive a coupon for $3 off on your birthday.
Pinkberry: As a Pinkberry loyalty rewards member, you can enjoy a free frozen yogurt on your birthday.
Yogurt Mountain (YOMO): Sign up for YOMO Club by texting “YOMOclub” plus your birthday month to “81018” for special offers and a free yogurt on your birthday. For example, text “YOMOclub01” if your birthday is in January.
Other Birthday Dessert Deals and Freebies

“If you’re ever paying for food on your birthday, you’re doing it wrong,” said Matt Spillar from DealsPlus. “Desserts are the most common freebie offered.” So, loosen your belt and get ready to chow down on these tasty desserts .

Olive Garden – eClub members get their choice of a dessert with the purchase of a meal on their birthday.
Cantina Laredo: Get a free birthday dessert with a dinner purchase at this Mexican chain when you sign up for the rewards club.
El Chico Cafe: Enjoy a complimentary dessert on your birthday with membership in the El Chico club.
Gigi’s Cupcakes: Sign up for the Gigi’s Cupcake Lovers Rewards Program and get a free cupcake for your birthday.
La Madeleine Country French Cafe: Join the online e-club and receive a free individual pastry on your birthday.
Portillo’s: This Italian chain gives each member of its Birthday Club a slice of chocolate cake as a free birthday treat.
RAM Restaurant & Brewery: Sign up for email notifications from RAM Restaurant & Brewery and enjoy a free birthday Mile High Mud Pie.
Shari’s Cafe: Join Shari’s Cafe Club and receive a free slice of pie on your birthday.
Sprinkles Cupcakes: Get a free birthday cupcake when you sign up for the Sprinkles Perks rewards program. Frequent buyers could qualify for a free dozen cupcakes, as well.

Birthday Freebies for Kids and Pizza

It’s hard to say no to pizza, especially when it’s free birthday food. Get a free pizza on your birthday or make your child’s birthday extra special with a complimentary meal at one of these establishments:
Imo’s Pizza: Children 12 and younger who join Imo’s Pizza Kid’s Club will receive birthday coupons by email to redeem at local eateries.
Green Mill Restaurant and Bar: Enjoy a free, small, one-topping deep dish pizza on your birthday when you sign up for the online rewards program.
The Mattel Toy Store: Get an email birthday certificate when you sign your child up for Mattel’s Birthday Club.
Nick Jr. Birthday Club: If you know a child who would love to get a birthday call from his favorite Nickelodeon character, you’re in luck. Sign up for the Nick Jr. Birthday Club for free.
Pizza Ranch: Join the Ranch Rewards email program to get $5 loaded on your card. Redeem your coupon within 30 days.

Birthday Movie and Entertainment Deals

Whether you’re celebrating your birthday with family or planning on going on a date, show how clever you are with all the free all day. Below you will be able to score some free or discounted entertainment.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: If you want to spend your birthday enjoying beer and a good flick, join the Alamo Victory mailing list. You’ll get a free birthday movie ticket each year.
Cinemark: Subscribe to the Cinemark email list and get a birthday coupon for a free gift during your birthday week.
Disneyland: Get a free, magical birthday button on your special day at City Hall in Disneyland or at Guest Services in Disney California Adventure. Valid theme park admission is required.
Medieval Times: Interested in a birthday celebration that includes a medieval feast and show? Join the Birthday Fellowship email list and get one free admission during your birthday month.
Redbox: If you’d rather stay in for your birthday, get a free, one-night DVD rental when you sign up for the Redbox Play Pass.
Showcase Cinemas: You can pay $10 for a Showcase Popcorn Club membership and get popcorn, candy, a backpack and another free movie ticket to redeem on your child’s birthday.

Birthday Clothing Discounts and Deals

Grab a gift for use in your home or office or collect extra rewards points on your birthday for purchases later in the year.
Aerosoles: Joining Aerosoles VIP Rewards program entitles you to 15 percent off purchases during your birthday month. Sign up online or in stores.
American Eagle Outfitters: Save 15 percent on clothing purchases during your birthday month when you share your email at checkout or online.
Anthropologie: Join loyalty rewards program Anthro before your birthday to receive a discount.
DSW: Sign up for a free DSW Rewards membership and get birthday offers.
Famous Footwear: Achieve a Gold membership in Famous Footwear’s online rewards program by spending $200 in 12 months and earn a $10 coupon on your birthday.
J.Crew: Join the Factory First mailing list and receive 20 percent off and free shipping on your birthday.
Kohl’s: Whether you’re shopping for kitchen supplies or something special for your jewelry box, Kohl’s will give you a free birthday gift if you join the Yes2You Rewards program.
Office Depot: Join the Office Depot free online rewards program to collect points for purchases and get a special birthday bonus.
Victoria’s Secret: Apply for a Victoria’s Secret Angel credit card and get a gift for your birthday.
World Market: Explorer Rewards members get a free birthday surprise each year.

Birthday Makeup, Skincare and Beauty Deals

Want to get your glamour on with beauty products that you can get for free, or some great skincare or makeup deals? Check out these deals you can get on your birthday:
Aveda: Sign up for Aveda’s Pure Privilege rewards program and get a free gift for your birthday valued at $23. There is a $10 charge to sign up, and gifts change monthly.
The Body Shop: Become a Love Your Body club member online and get a $10 reward during your birthday month.
Fresh: A membership with Fresh Family Rewards comes with a free birthday gift.
Lancome: Join the Lancome Paris online rewards program and get a free birthday gift.
Sephora: Join Sephora’s free Beauty Insider program by signing up in a store or online and get a free gift during your birthday month.
Ulta Beauty: Sign up for Ultamate Rewards and get two benefits during your birthday month: double rewards points and a free birthday gift.

Even if its not your birthday here are some other fun deals –

Chick-fil-A
Sign in or create a Chick-fil-A account before Sept. 29, 2018 to receive a free eight-count order of nuggets.

Credit freezes
As of September 21 2018, credit freezes are free for everyone.

Krispy Kreme
Score a free sweet treat of National Dessert Day, October 14. Friendly’s, Mrs. Fields, Red Lobster, The Olive Garden and perennial free-food day participant Krispy Kreme all offered some type of dessert deal in 2017.

Free meals to kids in costume
Look for free kids meal deals on Halloween, as restaurants tend offer more than just candy to kids in costume on the spookiest day of the year. Previous participants included Baja Fresh, Bertucci’s, Carrows, Hometown Buffet and IHOP.

18. Thank you freebies for veterans
Restaurants and retailers traditionally honor veterans, active military personnel and their families by offering free meals, haircuts, hotel stays, car washes and more on or around November 11.

We hope you found something on this list that you can take advantage of. When its your Birthday, Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Capital One data breach: There is something that you can do following the banking hack.

Its happened again, This time a data breach to Capital One servers last month exposed the personal information of nearly 106 million of the bank’s customers and applicants. The hack, which included US and Canadian customers of the banking and credit card company, comes a week after the settlement reached between Equifax and the Federal Trade Commission concerning a hack in 2017 that affected 147 million customers. When is this going to end, its seems so far too often that it is happening.

According to Capital One, the breach on July 19 resulted in the hacker gaining access to its customers personal information related to credit card applications from 2005 to early 2019 for consumers, applicants and small businesses. Among the personal data exposed were names, addresses, dates of birth, transaction data, credit scores, Social Security numbers and linked bank account numbers.

About 140,000 Social Security numbers and 80,000 linked bank account numbers were exposed, Capital One said. And for Canadian credit card customers and applicants, approximately 1 million Social Insurance Numbers. Capital One said, however, that no credit card account numbers or login credentials were revealed in the hack.

In response to this disaster, Capital One said it will notify customers and credit card applicants whose data was exposed in the breach, and the Department of Justice announced it had charged a Seattle engineer in the theft. There has been no evidence that the data was use maliciously.
Here’s how to find out if you were affected by the Capital One data breach and what you can do to protect yourself.

How to find out if your information was stolen

Capital One said it will contact by letter U.S. individuals whose Social Security numbers or linked bank account numbers were part of the hack. Affected individuals can probably expect to hear the week of August 5. At the moment, Capital One doesn’t have a website that lets you check for yourself.
Be on guard for emails and phone calls from scammers posing as Capital One or government representatives asking for credit card or account information, your Social Security number or other personal information. They will not be calling you about this, beware!!!!

What Capital One is doing about the hack

Capital One said it has fixed the exploit the hacker used to access the data and has worked with federal law enforcement on the breach. The banking company said it will reach out to customers who were part of the hack and will offer free credit monitoring and identity protection to those customers affected by the breach.

How to monitor your credit report for fraud

You don’t have to wait for Capital One to contact you: You can take several steps right now to watch for fraud.

Monitor your credit reports. You get one free credit report a year from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. (Note that Equifax is recovering from its own data breach.) On your report, look for unusual or unfamiliar activity, such as the appearance of new accounts you didn’t open. And watch your credit card accounts and bank statements for unexpected charges and payments.

Sign up for a credit monitoring service. Pick a credit monitoring service that constantly monitors your credit report on major credit bureaus and alerts when it detects unusual activity. To help with the monitoring, you can set fraud alerts that notify you if someone is trying to use your identity to create credit. A credit-reporting service like LifeLock can cost $10.00 – $30.00 per month — or you could use a free service like the one from Credit Karma. Capital One said it will provide free credit monitoring and identity protection to all affected customers.

What to do if you suspect you’re a victim of fraud or identity theft

As soon as you suspect your ID has been stolen you can take action to stop unauthorized charges and start to recover your identity.

Place a fraud alert. If you suspect fraud, place a fraud alert with each of the credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The alert notifies creditors that you have been a victim of fraud and lets them know to verify that you are actually making new credit requests in your name. You can place an initial fraud alert, which stays on your credit report for 90 days, or an extended fraud alert, which stays on your credit report for seven years. Placing a fraud alert does not affect your credit score.

Contact fraud departments. For each business and credit card company where you think an account was opened or charged without your knowledge, contact its fraud department. While you are not responsible for fraudulent charges to an account, you need to report the suspicious activity promptly.

Freeze your credit. If you want to stop anyone from opening credit and requesting loans and services in your name without your permission, you can freeze your credit. You will need to request a freeze with each of the three credit reporting companies, which again are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. To apply for new credit, you need to unfreeeze your credit, again, through each of the credit reporting companies. You can either request a temporary lift of the freeze or unfreeze it permanently.

Document everything. Keep copies of all documents and expenses and records of your conversations about the theft.

Create a recovery plan. The Federal Trade Commission has a valuable tool that helps you report identity theft and recover your identity through a personal recovery plan, find this tool at identitytheft.gov .

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7 Steps to Financial Security

“It’s easy to endure adversity if it happens to someone else.” ~ Mark Twain

We’d all like to have financial security or the assurance that we’ll have enough money tomorrow and the day after that.

Many think that financial security can be found in a fat 401k account, investment real estate, or a stash of gold and silver coins. While those things may help keep you financially secure, they can disappear quickly. Witness what happened to the markets in 2008 and 2009.

There are some things that you can do to protect yourself and your dependents. You’re probably already taking the first step, which is getting out of debt.

Debt can cause trouble under the best of circumstances. It certainly takes away financial security. Creditors can demand repayment even if that means that you cannot feed or shelter your family, which can cause instant insecurity!

Your second step is to create an emergency fund. No one gets through life without some unexpected events that affect their finances. Having an emergency fund takes the sting out of life’s surprises. If the car needs repairs or you need to buy a new fridge, the money is there. You won’t stress figuring out how to pay the bills.

Step three requires you to prepare for life’s big events. Most often, you’ll use insurance to cover these big ticket expenses like auto accidents, health problems, house fire, etc. Knowing that these events can’t swamp your finances provides needed security.

The next step involves saving for the time in your life when you no longer have an income. For most of us, it’ll be at retirement, but for others, it could be as a stay-at-home parent or due to a disability. In any case, gradually accumulating savings for the time that you no longer have an income builds financial security.

The fifth step calls for you to acquire skills that can either make or save you money. Gardening and the ability to do minor household repairs are just two skills that can reduce your expenses or even bring in some extra income. Look to develop similar skills that you can use to help build financial security.

Building a strong social network is the sixth step. No, I don’t mean one based on Facebook or Pinterest. While that might make great entertainment, you probably can’t count on those people if you get into a financial jam. Our ancestors knew the value of community. Whether you lived in town or in the country, you knew your neighbors and helped them when there was a need. Make the effort to build that type of relationship with a few close family members and/or friends. Not only can they help with physical needs, but also having someone beside you in a crisis can provide an emotional uplift.

Finally, live within your means. If you always look for ways to spend more than you make, you are assured of never achieving financial security. You’ll always be focused on the short-term and will be a long-term loser. On the other hand, living within your means brings with it serenity.

There you have it. In an uncertain world, here are 7 steps to financial security. How are you progressing on the journey?