This year is all about saving money every day while trying to increase your income potential. If you did one thing each day that could save as little as $5 over the course of a year, you could have an extra $1800 in your pocket at the end of the year. Not all of these tips may apply to you, so to keep it fair, not all of them will apply to me.
(Thank you to Michelle for reminding me about this gem.) Did you know that by law, you are entitled to one free credit report from each of the reporting bureaus each year? But if you go searching for “free credit report” you’re probably about to bend over. Why? Because those vidiots with the catchy jingle are selling you something.
Let’s ignore the fact that I deplore them for their non-factual material. For example, the catchy jingle about how he’d have a house with a backyard if it weren’t for his girl’s credit is pure bull. If he could afford it without her, he could afford it period; she wouldn’t have to be on his mortgage. There is enough issues with money and relationships without Experian’s help.
Wait? Did I say Experian? Isn’t that one of the credit reporting agencies? Why, yes, it is. They don’t want to give you a free credit report, they want to sell you your scores and a credit monitoring service. In very small print at the top of the website (very nondescript compared to the rest) they let you know that your actual free credit report is available at annualcreditreport.com. I can’t wait for website names to be included in false advertising because Experian’s little baby will be the first to bite the dust.
If you aren’t careful, you can easily end up spending $15 a month on their credit monitoring service. Don’t!
Just go to annualcreditreport.com and get your free credit report from all credit reporting agencies. There’s no scam. They don’t charge you. It’s the safe route. To keep a good eye on how your accounts are reported, pick one to check every four months, say Equifax in April, Experian in August, and TransUnion in December.
And don’t listen to the doofus with catchy jingle. For goodness sake, he can’t even figure out he and his girlfriend are separate entities. Do you really want credit advice from him?
365 Days of Saving Money: $3212 Annually (Running Total)
Andi B.