Tips to stay warm; LIHEAP help available
January 5, 2010
Hopefully you’re reading this from an area of the country that is at least a little on the warm side. However, if you’re in
The frigid temperatures make it very difficult to keep heating costs low while you keep your home a comfortable temperature.
There are still some easy steps you can take to keep the warm air in your home and the cold air out. Here are some tips:
· If a playing card fits in the crevice of an outside door or window, you need to caulk or weather strip around the door or window to stop air leaks.
· Use draft guards at the bottom of outside doors, and close radiators in rooms you don’t use.
· Lower your thermostat at night or when no one is home.
· If the cost of installing storm windows is too much, make your own storm windows by stretching 6-mil plastic sheets as tightly as you can over the window.
· Insulate attic space using loose fill or insulation rolls. High-efficiency building code standards recommend “R” values of 30 in ceilings, 16 in walls and 19 over crawl spaces. The “R” value is a measure of how well insulation traps heat.
· Set your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
· Run your garbage disposal with cold water.
· Cook several dishes in the oven at one time, and prepare double recipes that you can freeze for future use and reheat in the microwave.
If you find that you cannot stay warm and pay your gas bill, there is also energy assistance for those who meet the required income guidelines, such as LIHEAP (the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program).
If you are struggling to pay your heating bills, don’t wait to call for help. You can apply for LIHEAP assistance online at www.compass.state.pa.us or by calling (866) 857-7095 or for the hearing impaired (800) 451-5886. You can also visit your local county assistance office for an application.
Here’s what you need to apply:
· Names of people in your household
· Dates of birth for all household members
· Social Security Numbers for all household members
· Proof of income for members of your household
· A recent heating bill
How many credit score points will a late payment cost you?
December 30, 2009
Some light has been shed on the mysteries of just how our credit scores are affected by different things.
Our credit scores are calculated using a long-secret formula created by FICO (Fair Isaac Company), which created and computes our scores. FICO has recently disclosed to MSN financial columnist Liz Pulliam Weston how certain things like late payments, a debt settlement, a foreclosure or a bankruptcy will really affect your credit score.
Liz asked FICO to calculate the hit your score would take for each of these scenarios for someone with a 680 credit score and someone with a 780 score. (A 780 score is considered an excellent score.)
I was very surprised to see that the person with the higher credit score is likely to take a much bigger hit for everything from the late payment to a bankruptcy. Of course, no two customers are alike, so the point deductions will vary, even between two people with a 780 credit score.
According to Liz’s article, the point system takes into account any calculation that you’re in over your head. Things like late payments and maxed out credit cards are considered indicators that you might be headed for financial trouble.
Take a look at the story by clicking here. You can see for yourself how negative credit information may affect your credit score.
The important thing to take away from this is that you do not want to make late payments or max out your credit card. And you certainly don’t want to lose your home to foreclosure or file for bankruptcy if there is a reasonable way to avoid it.
If you have a low credit score, it is important to work to raise it. And if you have a high credit score, you want to keep it high. Credit scores have become increasingly important if you need or want to borrow money, buy a car or purchase a home. Credit scores can also affect your ability to buy a cell phone or how much you’ll pay for insurance.
If you are unable to make your credit card payments on time, are struggling with debt or are facing foreclosure, get help immediately. You can contact the counselors at Advantage CCS for reliable help exploring your debt relief options.
The turmoil over tipping
October 6, 2009
The topic of tipping always manages to raise everyone’s dander. It seems like everyone has their own idea of whom and how much one should tip.
I believe in tipping generously, especially in restaurants where the servers don’t make minimum wage, and, in some cases, split tips with other staff like bus boys and dishwashers. I consider 20 percent to be the standard tip for good service.
Sit down restaurants are pretty easy, but it’s getting increasingly difficult to navigate the waters when it comes to tipping in other establishments and types of services.
Tip jars have popped up everywhere. And in some cases, I’m not sure the person deserves a tip. For instance, if I go to a restaurant or café where I stand at the counter, order my food, pay for it there and stand and wait for someone to pass it across the counter, does that mean I have to leave a tip? I tend to say no.
Recently my mother and I got into a discussion about tipping the pizza deliver person. I said I usually leave a standard tip of $4 or $5. (If I order pizza in particularly inclement weather, I tip more. I figure if the pizza guy is going to risk life and limb to bring me a pizza in a snow storm, he deserves extra.)
My mother tips based on the total cost of the order, as one would do at a restaurant. My point was that if she orders a plain cheese pizza, and I order a gourmet pizza, the pizza delivery person drives the same distance whether or not there is cheese or artichokes on the pizza, but the cost of my pizza is more. Her point was that it’s the same in a restaurant if she orders chicken and I order filet. Touché!
I’m not even going to get into all the other areas of tipping, but it seems more and more those in areas of customer services are expecting, and in some cases, demanding, tips.
Apparently I’m not the only one who has noticed or takes exception to this. MSN Money columnist Liz Pulliam Weston wrote this article about tipping. She found herself in a particularly awkward situation when it comes to tipping.
What are your thoughts on tipping? How much and whom do you tip? What do you think about tip jars?
Fuel economy and air conditioning
August 13, 2009
I know summer is sadly coming to a close for many of us, but let’s face it, the weather hasn’t exactly been typically warm this year. However, the next few days (in western
I tend to be anti-air conditioning. I’m always cold. Unless it’s very hot, I usually prefer to drive with the windows down. Then I end up wondering if I’m being more or less fuel efficient.
It’s fairly common knowledge that using your car’s air conditioner zaps your fuel efficiency. However, I’ve also heard that driving with your windows down creates more drag on your car that can also reduce your fuel efficiency.
I came upon this Slate article this morning that gives the rundown of how using the AC versus driving with your windows down can affect your vehicle’s fuel economy. It’s worth a quick read if you’re interested.
Of course, if it’s a 95 degree day, my guess is that you — and me, too! — will care more about not melting into the seat than fuel economy and will most likely turn on the air.
Time and good habits will fix your credit score
July 31, 2009
Recently I’ve heard from more and more people who want to know how to “clean up” or “fix” their credit reports.
With lenders using stricter standards to screen out risky borrowers, credit reports and credit scores seem to have taken on a whole new importance for people.
The bit of bad news is that if you’re someone with a bad credit history, there is no quick fix for your credit report. Only time can remove negative items that are accurate from your report.
In general, negative items will remain on your credit report for seven years. A bankruptcy can remain on your report for seven to 10 years.
You should review your credit report from each of the three credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) once a year. You can get a free copy of your reports at www.annualcreditreport.com. If you do see a negative item that is on your report in error, you should dispute the item with the credit reporting bureau. If you get your reports online, you can also dispute any incorrect items online. The web site will guide you through the process.
As time goes on, the negative items will carry less weight. Though it won’t remove the negative items, it may be helpful to pay any accounts that are past due and/or are in collections.
After that, the best thing you can do is to begin to rebuild a positive credit history.
Start by making sure that you pay everything on time. Past due accounts and collection items really hurt your credit score. You need to show potential future lenders that you are responsible and pay your bills on time.
If you have outstanding balances on your credit cards, pay off the balances. Once your cards are paid off, use them sparingly. Charge only a small amount each month and pay that amount in full.
With a little patience and wiser use of credit you can raise your credit score and make yourself more credit worthy.
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