8 Best Ways to Improve Your Credit Scores

If your credit score is not as high as you think it should be, make sure that the information in your credit report is correct. If it is correct, read your report carefully to find out which factors are most likely having a negative influence on your score, and then work to improve them.

Here are the 8 best way to improve your credit scores:

1. Always pay your bills on time, especially credit card bills. Although the payment of your utility bills, such as phone, cable and electricity, is not recorded in your credit report, some cell phone companies may report late payments to the credit-reporting agencies, which could affect your score.
2. Try to pay your bills in full by the due date. If you aren't able to do this, pay at least the required minimum amount shown on your monthly credit card statement.
3. Don't go over the credit limit on your credit card. Try to keep your balance well below the limit. The higher your balance, the more impact it has on your credit score.
4. Reduce the number of credit applications you make. If too many potential lenders ask about your credit in a short period of time, this may have a negative effect on your score. However, your score does not change when you ask for information about your own credit report.
5. Make sure you have a credit history. You may have a low score because you do not have a record of owing money and paying it back. You can build a credit history by using a credit card.
6. Cancel your old cards. The older your credit history, the better. But if you stop using your oldest cards, the issuers may decide to close the accounts or stop updating them to the credit bureaus. The accounts may still appear, but they won't be given as much weight in the credit-scoring formula as your active accounts.
7. Obtain some goodwill. If you've been a good customer, a lender might agree to simply erase that one late payment from your credit history. You usually have to make the request in writing, and your chances for a "goodwill adjustment" improve the better your record with the company (and the better your credit in general). But it can't hurt to ask.
8. Correct the significant error. Your credit scores are calculated based on the information in your credit reports, so certain errors there can really cost you. But not everything that's reported in your files matters to your scores. Here's the stuff that's usually worth the effort of correcting with the bureaus:
   
   • Late payments, charge-offs, collections or other negative items that aren't yours.
   • Credit limits reported as lower than they actually are.
   • Accounts listed as "settled," "paid derogatory," "paid charge-off" or anything other than "current" or "paid as agreed" if you paid on time and in full.
   • Accounts that are still listed as unpaid that were included in a bankruptcy.
   
   

6 Simple Tips to Save Water Usage for Our Home

While access to clean water is not an issue for most of us, it makes sense to be more water conscious for the following reasons:

• Lower water and energy bills by reducing your metered usage.
• Enhanced drinking water quality by maintaining higher levels in our lakes.
• Less environmental impact by deferring the need to supply water from new sources and by reducing the energy and materials required to treat and deliver water.

We all can take immediate steps starting in our own households to more efficiently use water so there is enough to go around.

Be water conscious
Just like you think about saving energy by turning off your lights, switching off the power strip and charging your phone with your solar charger, you should be just as conscious about conserving water. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving, use less water when hand washing dishes, don’t use hot water to defrost food, and take shorter showers. We all know these things and mean to do them, but sometimes we forget. Program these simple changes into your daily routine and be conscious about water use.

Fix leaks
A dripping tap sends your money down the drain. If your tap is leaking one drop per second, you are wasting over 9,460 litres of water per year. You can fix this problem by replacing a simple washer. Even if you have to change the entire tap, it’ll cost less than what you’re wasting. Also, check your toilet, it might be leaking too even if you don’t hear it. You can check for a leak in your toilet by adding a few drops of food colouring to the tank. If within half an hour the coloured water has disappeared from the bowl, you’ll know you’ve got a leak.

Use low water flow fixtures
Low flow showerheads and faucet aerators save up to half of water used without compromising your shower quality and washing experience. Also, take the opportunity to install a low-flow toilet and save even more money! Since 30% of the water consumption in your home is from toilet use; the older the toilet, the greater the use. Old toilets use at least 16-20 litres per flush. However, more recent models use about six litres or, if you install an ultra low-flow head, your toilet will use as little as three litres of water per flush—a big difference for huge savings!

Wash full loads
Use your appliances efficiently by washing only full loads of dishes or clothes. Wait the extra meal to have enough dishes or another day until you have enough clothes to make running that appliance worth it. While some appliances have settings for smaller loads, most do not, and use just as much water to wash a few things as it does to wash a full load.

Replace old appliances
Energy Star rated appliances save you energy, water, and money! Energy Star rated washers use half the water and energy per load of older models. If you’re looking for a new washing machine, frontload washing systems have a much larger capacity and save a lot of water and energy. Also, take the time to look at investing in a dishwasher. This might surprise many but washing your dishes by hand in your sink uses more water than running an Energy Star rated dishwasher. Hand washing your dishes twice daily uses about 70 litres of water while a dishwasher, filled to the maximum, uses only 30 litres.

Saving water saves you money
From leaky taps and running toilets to watering your lawn, there are many things around your house that drain your money if you are not aware of them. You can be green and save water and money by following the above steps—use less and you’ll save more!

10 Ways to Cut Your Moving Costs

Moving can be a very chaotic and expensive task, one that needs to be accomplished very carefully. A move carried out in haste can bring about several unnecessary problems. Almost everyone looks for cheap movers. After all, most of us want to save on out of pocket expenses but there are several disadvantages of selecting cheap movers. There are professional moving companies, who offer competitive rates that are easily affordable by everyone. However, there are certain techniques or methods of preparation that can also help you minimize your expenses.

When planning your moving budget, it is very important to keep a check on the outflow of cash. This will make you better prepared to understand the unnecessary expenses. Create a budget template in Excel or Microsoft Word—this will make your calculations easier.

Decide if you will hire a professional moving company or you will do it yourself. If you are hiring a mover, collect quotes from at least three different professional moving companies and include the highest quote in your budget.

Check all the items that you are moving. This will help you evaluate if you need more insurance because the default insurance offered by movers might not be sufficient for you. Along with added insurance, find out if you require extra services.

Because of rising fuel costs and a shortage of drivers, the cost of a full service mover has risen in the past few years. Anything you can do yourself—even if seemingly small—will help cut your moving bill and give you extra money to spend on other relocation costs (like the pizza and beer for after your move).


1. Reduce your load. Get rid of household items that you no longer need. Hold a garage sale and leave books with friends, the local library or sell them to a used bookstore. Anything you can't sell, give to a local charity. Weight equals money. The less weight, the less money. It's that simple.

2. Pack it yourself. Packing services performed by the mover are expensive and could amount to 25% of the moving cost. Even if you don't want to pack it all yourself, you can always do a partial pack, and have the movers handle the rest. For example, items that are nonbreakable such as linens and bedding can be packed easily without the risk of damage. Every box you pack yourself is money in your pocket.

3. Save on packing. Luggage and carrying bags are perfect for packing sheets, towels and clothing. Also, the bottoms of wardrobe boxes are great for bulky, lightweight items. Be wary of packing tips that might save you money initially but won't protect your stuff, for example, using newspaper instead of bubble wrap. Sure, it might save a few bucks, but in the end, is breaking something worth it?

4. Drive your own moving truck
Using a full service moving company is extremely expensive. You can rent your own truck and hire movers to help load up and unload.

5. Recruit help from friends or family
If you have friends or family in the area, getting them to help you load up and/or unload is a blessing, because it saves time and money. If you’re going to recruit help, make it a fun event. Order some food, and make it a moving party.

6. Avoid the busy season. If you are using a full service moving company, avoid June, July, and August as these are the most expensive months to move because of demand for moving services. Also, try to plan your move during the middle of the month—rates are higher at the beginning and the end because of the large number of apartment leases with month-end dates. If you can be flexible with your move-in times, you can also save money because the moving company can combine shipments.

7. Get organized. Time is Money. Color-code boxes according to the room they belong in so they all end up in the same place, saving time for both you and your mover.

8. Avoid storage costs by moving into your new property immediately and make sure that you have payment ready for when the truck arrives. Any delay could result in storage-in-transit fees if your things have to be stored until they can be unloaded and after the move is paid in full.

9. Make sure you are insured. Your existing homeowner’s insurance policy might cover your move so you don't have to buy additional moving protection.

10. Your move may be tax-deductible. Keep all receipts and visit the Canada Revenue Agency's website for specific details about which moving expenses you can claim, or consult a professional accountant to maximize your tax return.

Gas Saving Tips in Winter

With the cold weather upon us once again and there are ways to save gas and money even when the weather turns cold.

• During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Unremoved snow and ice cause tremendous wind resistance. Warm water thrown on (or hosed on) will eliminate it fast.
• Same idea as above, empty the trunk and remove the excess weight from the vehicle. By doing so, you will gain more kilometers per liter. More kilometers per liter means more gas saving.
• Cold weather will cause the air pressure in tires to drop, so check your tires regularly. Having tires that under inflated or not alligned will force your engine to work hard which consumes more gas.
• Warming up your engine for longer than 1 minute is wasting gas/money. 45 to 60 seconds is plenty of time.
• When planning trips, try to stay away from areas with excess traffic, such as busy shopping centres during holiday season, to avoid stop-and-go driving.

Taking care of your vehicle, especially in the winter time, is one of the best things you can do for you, and your family. Togetherness is great, but not when your stranded and freezing. :)

Your feedback is always appreciated.

5 Steps to Prepare Your Holiday Spending

Whether it's planning for Christmas, Hanukkah, a big New Year's Eve Bash, or a pricey winter vacation, the time is now to get your finances in order to avoid debt and regrets that can lead to the holiday blues. The season of gift-giving and fellowship too often creates the spirit of giving far beyond what you can realistically afford. However, if you start now you can be holiday guilt- and debt-free with the new year. Here are five ways to stay on track.

1. Make a list and check it twice. Record everyone on your gift-giving list and be sure to check it twice. Set recommended amounts and then keep track of spending along the way. Recognize that over-spending in one area means that you MUST reduce costs in another...a notion that is easier said than done when you're in the throes of the holiday spirit. Check your list for necessities and consider changing the amount of a gift if your budget is looking tight. Remember, it really is the thought that counts!




2. Create Expectations and stick to your budget. OK. You've got your magic budget number. But, unless everyone is willing to stick to it, then the target is for naught. The key is to communicate with family members and begin planning now to avoid last-minute weaknesses and over-buying.




3. Use cash. Nothing will keep your spending in check better than using cash. Overspending becomes obvious because your cash will only go so far.People often spend 3 to 4 times more when using credit!Again, take your lists with you when you shop, stay within the dollar range you set for everything you have on your list, and pay cash for all holiday purchases.hen your cash is gone, stop shopping!




4. Don't wait until the last minute. Start thinking about gifts and menus and activities, and everything holiday related early (well... NOW!). Give yourself time to comparison shop, catch holiday sales, and find the best deals. If you have something in mind, and the price is right, get it now. Don't wait and run the risk of it being out of stock, and then you'll have to scurry around to find a substitute and could wind up spending more. The closer it gets to the holiday, the more hectic its likely to get. Avoid the stress and pressure that comes with waiting until the last minute and causes you to overspend.




5. Write down what you spend. Write down the amount you spend on each and every thing, regardless of the money source: checkbook, credit card, debit card, cash, or gift cards. No matter where the money comes from, it all counts toward how much you're spending overall. When you write down everything you're spending in black and white, and keep a running tally, it's a lot easier to recognize when you're getting out of control and need a spending reality check.

I hope you find these holiday spending tips helpful. If you use some of them, or all of them, be sure to let me know how they worked out for you!

Also, don't forget to share these tips with your friends, family members, and associates so they can stay out of holiday spending trouble too!