Monday, June 30, 2008

5 Ways to Boost Your Credit Score


Your credit score is one of the most important factors in your financial life. The current recession makes it even harder for consumers to get approved for a loan or line of credit which is why it is so crucial to have good credit.

If you have good credit and can afford to make purchases during this time you can get some great deals. However, if you are already in debt, don't have an emergency fund, savings account or retirement account you need to reevaluate your spending habits. While you are working on improving your spending habits you can also follow these 5 tips to boost your credit score so when the time is right you can make a purchase and get the best deal possible.

1. Change your mindset. You have to change the way your currently spend money and develop good spending habits so you make good choices when making purchases, buy in terms of needs vs. wants.

2. Get current on late bills. Pay old or late accounts immediately. Setup payment plans for bills that cannot be paid in full.

3. Establish credit. Open a secured account if you have bad credit or no credit to re-establish credit history. Use non-traditional forms of credit to establish history such as Pay Rent Buy Credit (Payment Reporting Builds Credit).

4. Keep balances low. Keep your credit card balances at 50% or below the credit limit. This shows you have good spending habits are not seen as a credit risk.

5. Don't open new accounts. Don't open any new accounts more than once every year when trying to improve your credit history. You will be seen as a credit risk and this will lower your credit score.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Appearance in Essence Magazine


Check out my interview in the July issue of Essence Magazine pages 73, 74 and 76 in the article titled The 30 Day Debt Diet. Enjoy!

Harrine Freeman
CEO/Owner, H.E. Freeman Enterprises
www.hefreemanenterprises.com

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

How to Save Gas with Your SUV


This is a bad time for Americans. The prices of many items are increasing. According to Money Magazine the cost of prescriptions drugs has increased, pharmacy co-pay prices have increased 25%, the cost of milk has increased by 14%, the cost of college tuition by 6%, the cost of eggs by 31%, the cost of bread by 14% and the cost of gas by 21% since last year. These statistics can be alarming but there are many ways to reduce costs in other areas to ease the burden of the rising prices.

The cost of gas has crimpled many Americans. For SUVs owners getting gas can be a nightmare. Some SUV drivers have to fill up multiples times a week and costs can range from $400 a month to $600 a month. That is the same amount of money some Americans pay on their monthly car payment. To help ease the burden when getting gas for your SUV follow these 5 tips:

1. Keep your trunk empty. Remove heavy and unnecessary items from your trunk, cargo bed and the inside of your SUV. Traveling with a lighter load helps improve your gas mileage.

2. Maintain a constant speed. Maintaining a constant speed reduces the amount of gas needed to rev up the engine to go faster, is better for the economy and will keep you from filling up more often.

3. Ditch the fancy tires. When your fancy tires wear out buy the standard tires that were on the SUV when you purchased it. This will improve gas mileage and save you money when buying new tires. The standard tires also provide a better ride especially on the highway, save the fancy tires for short trips.

4. Carpool. If gas prices are hurting your pocket, start carpooling. Offer to pick up co-workers or friends who work near your job. Make sure you charge enough money to cover the increasing costs of gas and inform your carpool riders that the price may increase as gas costs increase.

5. Regular maintenance. Perform regular maintenance on your SUV at the scheduled intervals, make sure you get regular tune-ups, oil changes, check tire pressure, air filters, and check your tires for wear. This will improve gas mileage and save you money in the future.

These tips will save you money and ease the burden of the increasing costs of gas during this summer.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Upcoming Events


October 2008
October 4, 2008, Capital Bookfest, 10-6pm

August 2008
August 9, 2008, Booksigning with the Author's Den, 1-4pm
August 14-16, 2008, Southern States Book Tour

July 2008
July 11, 2008, B. Dalton Booksigning, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 4:30-6:30pm
July 13, 2008, Student Loan Teleseminar, Washington, DC, 7-8pm
July 16, 2008, The Women Network Seminar/Booksigning, 6-9pm, Jin Lounge, Washington, DC 6-9pm
July 24-26, National Black Arts Festival, Atlanta, GA

June 2008
June 6, 2008, Enterpreneurship Seminar, HOBY, George Washington University, Florence Hollis Hand Chapel, 2-3:30pm
June 7, 2008, Booksiging at Barnes & Noble, 21 Grand Corner Ave, Gaithersburg, MD, 1-3pm
June 11, 2008, Credit Repair Teleseminar with the Women Network, 7-8pm
June 21, 2008, Booksiging at Urban Knowledge Bookstore, Mondawmin Mall, 2301 Liberty Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 2-4pm