Favorite Things: Credit Monitoring

Ok, so today’s post is going to be a little bit serious. It’s about debt and getting out of it. I know with the economy being how it is, we are all spending less, but a lot of us may be digging out of the debt we incurred a while back. Due to lack of raises or pay cuts in some cases, it may be difficult for you to get out of debt. Or buy a new home or a car.  Here are two FREE websites I have been using for quite a while now that help with credit monitoring. 

Credit Karma

Requires your social security number

Uses Transunion’s formulas to calculate an estimation of your credit score

Suggests deals on credit cards, loans, mortgages, and banking to help you save money

Credit Report Card helps you track your debt-to-income ratio and the “temperature” of your credit report

Can be updated for free daily

Quizzle

Does not require your social security number

Uses Equifax’s formulas to calculate an estimation of your credit score

Helps you set financial goals and tracks them

Gives you a full credit report

Can be updated for free every 6 months

Can be updated monthly for $7

Personally, I prefer Credit Karma because you can update it more frequently. It allows you to see if a new account has been added and if you have an increase in hard inquiries, both of which can help you indicate if someone is trying to commit credit fraud with your information. CK also shows how your debt is broken down, whether it is credit cards, mortgage, student loans, personal loans, or car loans.  It also tracks month to month so you can see how your debt has been trending.

Either way, both sites are free, so use them to your advantage!

My Favorite Things: Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask

I love this stuff! I don't use it too often because my daily conditioner is pretty good (Paul Mitchell Smoothing).  However, last fall when we went out to CA, the dry air really killed my hair! I had split end city... alright I can't blame it soley on CA as I had been getting bleach foils done at a regular interval for at least a year... But the bottom line is that my hair was fried.  At the time, I was using a shampoo/conditioner combo, a rinse out conditioner, and a leave-in spray conditioner and I was still feeling the hurt. I went to Walgreens to browse the available products (mainly looking for some V05 hot oil... YEAH 1980!). I found this little gem and decided to go with it. It was about $7 and I have yet to use the bottle, although please note that I am not using it as a weekly treatment... Its more of a monthly thing for me, or whenever I remember that I have it. Anyway, the moral of the story is, if you are feelling a little dry, go out and get this stuff!

Extreme Couponing ?!?

So we just watched the new show "Extreme Couponing" on TLC and it had me thinking that maybe I wanted to start doing that... although I don't have the space to store what these people have, but it would be a good way to donate to the local food pantry.  SOOOOOOOO, does anyone have any tips or good sites that they can direct me to so I can get started with the savings????  I promise to share what I learn along the way!

Thanks!

New Beginings

Sorry it has been forever since I have posted. In November and December, it seems like I lost all desire and drive to do anything. Luckily, December brought some opportunities to me by way of 2 companies that were extremely interested in me! 

I started my new job at Sargent Manufacturing on Jan 24th! It's a really great place to work!  It keeps me busy pretty much all of the time so the days and weeks are flying by! I'm a Product Design Engineer and my team is working on sustaining and cost reduction through all of the product lines.  Woot Woot!

We also bought hubby a 2006 Nissan Xterra in December because his Jeep was just about shot.  Still living in an apartment in Middletown, but we are hoping to move closer to New Haven this spring sometime.

Thats all the updates for now! I will hopefully post again soon!