There are a number of ways to check your credit score and credit report. I would check your credit report a couple of times a year, although I actually only do it once since I get lazy. Checking your credit report is free once a year with each of the three credit reporting agencies – TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. These credit reports will tell your payment history, but will not tell you your credit score. These credit reports are good to review and make sure that all the information is correct this they play a big factor on your credit score. Many lending institutions will look at this credit report when you apply to borrow money since this shows your entire credit payment history. Just check it once in a while to make sure nothing is wrong.

For the credit score, I use creditkarma.com, which is free, and I also check it about twice to three times a year. You want to check your credit score to track it and to make sure you know where it is as often times, the interest rate that you pay for loans can be impacted by your credit score. Creditkarma doesn’t give you the exact FICO score, but it is pretty close and works well.

I’ve got some bad news. It looks like Chase Freedom is no longer going to be such an attractive credit card. Word on the street is rewards are going to be cut back. People have received letters in the mail (I have yet to receive it, but I haven’t really check my mail lately) mentioning the following down-grade in rewards:

1. The 3% cash back is being changed from the top 3 of 15 categories to 3 specific categories–gas, groceries, and fast food.
2. Effective June 30, 2009, the bonus redemption of a $250 check for $200 in rewards will be eliminated.
3. There will be a $30 annual fee, waived for the first year.

This is something that I heard and have not been able to confirm it, but it definitely makes a big impact on the credit cards that I use. I am also so close to the $200 reward where I could cash it in for $250 in rewards. Maybe I will load up on purchases on my Chase card this month to get to that mark before they end that reward.

I really don’t want to cancel credit cards because it could hurt my credit score, I might have cancel Chase Freedom over the next year to avoid the $30 annual fee. What I will probably do, is have them slowly lower my available credit over the next year to minimize the impact to some degree on my credit score.

Yahoo had an article today saying that it is a good time to buy a car. I also believe that is true since the auto industry is basically in shambles. With the economy struggling, dealers must have had a lot of trouble getting cars off the lots. According to Yahoo, “Auto makers are offering generous deals, including cash back offers and low financing rates, across a wide range of vehicles. Many that once sold at a markup are suddenly available for well below the sticker price – and often less than dealer cost.”
The article goes on to say that dealerships have been closing all across the nation. Dealers need to clear their inventory of 2009 vehicles and with so much excess supply, good deals are in store. Yahoo gave an example of the deals people have gotten: A guy in Portland, OR bought a 2008 Mazda Miata roadster with a sticker price of $27,235 for $18,000 three weeks ago. The manufacturer gave a rebate along with dealer discounts.
I still believe in the idea of only purchasing what you need and living within your means. Just because something is on sale, doesn’t mean you have to buy it. My Honda Accord that is 8 years old still works just fine and has plenty of years left in it. Even though I could get a pretty good deal, I just don’t need a car right now. On the other hand, if you were thinking about getting a new car in the near future, I would suggest taking advantage of the current deals and the laws of supply and demand.
Make sure you shop around and check out other dealerships since everyone is ready to cut you a deal. Remember that you should always try to negotiate since you have all the power right now. You don’t need to buy a car, but the dealers do need to sell them. Keep that in mind when you go shopping.

There are numerous ways to supplement your income. Whether you are currently unemployed or have a full-time job, there are always ways to make some extra money on the side. The best way to do this is to find something that you love to do and find out how you can make money from it. For example, I love tennis and have played for years at a competitive level. I’m not going to do this right now because of my extremely busy schedule, but I recently saw an ad on craigslist for a job at a local tennis club. The club guarantees every member a hitting partner and will hire tennis players to work as part of the staff and to hit with members who do not have a hitting partner. I have not had the time to consistently hit in a long time, and would love to just get out there and hit around and get some exercise. If I could land this job to work just one day a week on a Saturday in the future, this would be a great way for me to stay in shape and make some extra cash doing something I probably would do for free anyway.

Here are some other suggestions for ways to make some cash on the side:

· Tutor students
· Walk dogs for people
· Freelance – you can use elance.com to find jobs
· Take photos to sell on sites like istockphoto.com
· Participate in focus groups
· Referee a sport you really enjoy
· Start a side business

1. Learn about the position, company, and industry.

Before an interview, it is imperative to be knowledgeable about the position, company, and the industry for which you are interviewing. It is important to show the interviewers that you know what you are interviewing for and that you are interested enough in the position that you have looked into it yourself. Spend time on the firm’s website, understand what they do, how they are structured, what qualities they are looking for, and how this relates to you. Use the website and other news sources to find out what the firm has been up to recently. It also helps to talk to peers and alumni who work or have worked for the firm.

2. Know your resume.

Be prepared to talk about your resume. The only thing that recruiters know about you is on your resume. Anything on your resume is fair game. You must be able to intelligently describe any line on your resume. It is helpful to think over how points on your resume correlate to the skills and qualities that the firm is looking for. Using your resume to display how you are a good fit for the company will help to highlight your strengths.

3. Know your strengths, weaknesses, and reasons for being at the interview.

You have to be able to talk about yourself in a way that clearly shows your positive qualities, why you want the job, and why you are qualified. Know the key personal qualities that will resonate with the interviewer and the industry. Be able to describe why you want to work in the industry and for that firm in particular. Convey that the firm matches with your skills and interests.

4. Remember to be confident and friendly

No matter how nervous or unsure you feel inside, you have to walk into the interview with confidence and show the interviewer what a great fit you would be for the job. During the interview show poise, assertiveness (not to the point where you appear arrogant), look the interviewer in the eyes, and remain calm and confident in yourself. Be friendly and relaxed. Although you should be professional and polite, you can still show your personality.

5. Practice

Practice by yourself in front of a mirror or with a friend. While you may feel confident with the information, it takes practice to be able to clearly and concisely articulate it.