credit repair help

Thrifty Living: Organizing Coupons and Getting Started!

by Wendy Black Polisi on September 22, 2009

I know I should use coupons.

They are free AND save money after all!

And the truth is, I’ve tried to be good about coupons.  But somehow I cut them out and they end up in a drawer – only to be uncovered 6 months later.  (After the expiration date of course!)

Or, better yet, they end up in the bottom of my purse and get ruined when someone’s sippy cup accidently leaks.  (Don’t ask why there are sippy cups in my purse – it just happens!)

I think one of the basic problems is that I’ve just never gotten organized!

The first thing you need to decide is where you are going to keep your coupons.  After a little research I have discovered that there are several options:

1.    You can organize on the cheap and use envelops!

2.    Another great cheap idea is to use zip lock bags

3.    You can get a file box

4.    Use a coupon organizer! Check out this one:

Spice of Life Coupon Organizer

Now that you have decided what you are going to keep your coupons in, you need to think about how you will sort them.

Basically, there are three options that are popular.

1.    You can sort alphabetically

2.    You can sort by product

3.    You can sort by expiration date

Next, you obviously need to GET SOME COUPONS!  The Sunday paper is a must!

Here is a great site I found that offers great advice on where to get coupons.

Couponing101

I don’t know, Stephanie, the site owner well but, I can tell you that the lady knows her stuff!  I’m sure she’s one of those mom’s who goes into a store and spends $40 and comes out with a ton of stuff!  Be sure to check her site out for experienced couponing advice. :)

Tagged as: , , , ,

{ 1 comment }

Top 5 Things You Need to Know About the Rules of Collections

by Vincent Polisi on September 2, 2009

I have been in financial services in one way or another for almost 16 years.  (Yes, I started when I was 12!)

 

In all that time, I’ve never met a person who woke up one day and said “I think I will get in debt today!  It seems like a good day to start messing up my credit!”

 

Obviously, everyone understands that the best course of action is to stay away from debt.

 

But what are your options when it is too late for that and debt collectors are hounding you?

 

The most important thing you can do – for both your credit and your sanity – is to understand the rules! 

 

Just because you have hit hard times doesn’t mean you have to tolerate abuse – You still have rights!

 

Here are the Top 5 Things You Need to Know About the Rules of Collections:

 

  1. Foul language and threats are strictly prohibited.  While you might want to cuss back, contacting the FTC is probably a better course of action.
  2. Debt collectors can call only between the hours of 8 AM and 9 PM.  If they call you outside of these times, you should report them to the FTC.
  3. Once you tell a debt collector that you can not receive calls at work, they must stop contacting you there at once.  Also, if you send them a letter stating that you wish for them to stop calling you all together they must do so.
  4. They can not inform anyone of your debt.  (This means they can’t, call your mom and tell her about the situation in hopes they will pressure you to pay the bill. They also can’t call your boss to try to shame you into paying.)
  5. If you ask the creditor to “verify” your debt, they must stop collection attempts until they have done so.

Tagged as: , , , ,

{ 1 comment }