Column 5=20-2010

Last Saturday I taught a couponing class at the Central Branch library that ended up being very informative to me. I had a participant in my class that was very inquisitive about my lifestyle. He started by saying he was student living very frugally on a student budget but wonders if he would keep his frugal ways when he finally gets out in the real world with a real career. I told him that it was very important for him to keep going with his frugal lifestyle it will only make him more successful. To not put yourself in debt and being accountable of your finances will not only give you peace of mind but it will enable you to further your financial security. Thinking about an answer I said that, yes this is a lifestyle no matter how much money I had.
Banks today are making it harder to get a loan. Two years ago, a 620 on the 300-850 scale could have gotten you a reasonable mortgage rate. Now you need at least 760 to get today’s best rate. Do you know your credit score and if you do what can you do to raise it?

!. Get your credit scores. It is federal law that you can acquire three credit reports for FREE. https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

2. Pay off all you can on your credit cards. Lenders like to see that you are living within your means, which translates to using less of your credit.

3. Don’t be late. Make sure you pay your credit cards on time, even if it means just paying the minimum.

4. Curb credit spending. Don’t apply for any new credit cards. This only tells a financial institution that you are intending to take on more debt.

5. Remove errors. If the contents of your report has errors or an item that is affecting your score don’t think that there isn’t anything you can do about it. I just looked at my credit report where there was an open hospital bill. I called the insurance company along with the hospital to fix the problem. It did get fixed and is now off the report.

6. Don’t go cash only. Remember you need to have some history of spending then paying off in a timely manner for the banks to see your borrowing behavior.

BEAUTY AND HEALTH FREEBIES:

Sign up for your FREE mini facial from Origins. It will include a personalized skincare consultation; nature’s gentle exfoliation and facial mask targeted to your skincare concern. http://www.origins.com/minifacial/index.tmpl?ngextredir=1&cm_mmc=Facebook-_-5-2010%20Wall%20Update-_-html-_-Facebook%20%20-%20Mini%20Facial%20Status&cm_sp=Refresh-_-5-11-10%20Homepage%20Refresh-_-Mini%20Facial%20Virtual%20Card

Get your free South Beach Living Fiber Fit S’mores bar http://www.startsampling.com/sm/101118/quickQuestions.iphtml?item=101118&source=sn-mm1854&ss_id=&key=89ab39845b676c8f69768b615970bf4c

Just fill out the form to receive your free sample of Playtex Gentle Glide http://playtexgentleglide.samplingnow.com/

Request a free Xyng Sample to help create euphoric feeling and relieve stress http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=307009882683&v=app_7146470109#!/apps/application.php?id=307009882683&v=app_7146470109

Marine Layer wants to send you a free sunglasses cloth cleaner. http://www.marinelayer.com/cop-a-feel

Print out a coupon for a free sample of Aveda Men’s Shampoo http://www.avedathanksman.com/

Receive three samples of smokerZchoice. It helps reduce your cravings for cigarettes. http://www.smokerzchoice.com/free-samples

Join the Fit in Your Skin team and you will receive a free copy of the program’s exclusive health and fitness DVD, featuring a kitchen seqment and 30 minute workout with Jackie Warner https://www.fitinyourskin.com/user/register

FREE Jockey Ultimate Panty at Macy’s. http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1223/panty.jpg

FREE Vegetable Garden Guide from Burpee Seeds http://www.burpeehomegardens.com/BurpeeHomeGardens/GardeningGuide.aspx

FREE Gardener’s Idea Book from Winners Circle when you sign up for the Winners Circle eNewletter
http://www.provenwinners.com/winnerscircle/ce_winnerscircle.cfm?winnerscircle

Sign up for Hollister newletter and receive a coupon for 20% off your entire purchase http://ebm.cheetahmail.com/c/tag/hBL5D3zATAkUmB8H7D9NAf5o8rx/doc.html?email=&i_

Request your free Gift of Love Funeral and Cremation Planning Guide ($14.95 value) http://www.kcpreplan.com/freeguide.html


Cinemark has a program called Summer Movie Clubhouse where you can purchase a $5 punch card to see 10 Family movies this summer or you can purchase a $1.00 ticket the day of the show. http://www.cinemark.com/summermovieclubhouse/

If your child is under 12 sign him/her up for the Double Dog Dare Club at Borders. All they have to do is read 10 books, download the form, list the books they have read and bring completed form into any Borders or Walden book store for your FREE book. http://www.borders.com/online/store/MediaView_doubledogdare?cmpid=SA_20100513_V2

Senior Health Fair, May 28th from 9am to 2pm at Senior Center 1530 Nicholasville Road. There will be health and wellness screenings, employment agencies recruiting new experienced workers, Lexington’s Public Library’s Outreach Services Mobile Computer Lab will be on site to assist with applications and job searches. Call 278-6072 for more information.
Big Band and Jazz concert series held from 7:00pm to 8:30pm every Tuesday evening from May 25-August 31 at Ecton Park.

Visit the Chick-fil-A site on Monday, May 24th to reserve your exclusive premiere tasting of their new Spicy Chicken Sandwich. http://www.getspicychicken.com/

Give your Dad or graduate a gift they won’t forget by designing a personalized Knob Creek label. http://www.knobcreek.com/

Getting ready for a graduation party or any special occasion load a digital coupon on your Kroger card for $5.00 off a deli party platter.
www.kroger.com

The Lexington Singers raise the rafters with the area’s best gospel and spiritual choirs on Saturday, May 22 from 4pm -6pm. It’s all happening in a big tent in the UK Polk-Dalton Clinic parking lot on Elm Tree Lane, across the Lyric.
This Saturday from 10am to 11am at Lowes Build your Own Clinic your kids can build a catapult. Just register at their website.
https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx

S&S Tires Customer Appreciation Day May 22 at Brannon Crossing.
10am to 12pm Pet the Pups from The Lexington Humane Society
11am Officer Don will land his helicopter (someone will win a ride)
11am to 1pm FREE lunch
11am to 2pm Music from Lauren Mink and John Curtis