Did you turn off your lights for Earth Hour? For one hour on Saturday, the World Wildlife Fund asked people around the world to reduce their electricity use. At home my husband and I unplugged and turned off everything we could, including my scanner in my home office, which I didn't even know was on. It really made me aware of how much incidental electricity I use every day. It was really easy to participate, too.
Cities around the world, including Chicago, participted and turned off the lights on major landmarks and tall buildings.
And it appears that it made a difference. I read on thedailygreen.com that local utility Comm Ed reported that Chicago saved an estimated 420 tons of carbon dioxide by turning off the lights.
Next year, I'm hoping to get the credit union involved in Earth Hour in some way. We are closed on Saturday evenings, so we are already powered down for the most part at that time. However, perhaps we can celebrate Earth Hour a little earlier on Saturday - before closing time? Of course, we have to consider security so we'll have to plan carefully, but there must be something we can do even if it's a small step. Let us know if you have any suggestions!
Meanwhile, it's great to see the conversation that the WWF started. Here's looking foward to next year.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
What Does Your Credit Report Say about You?
There are few of us who have not experienced some really stressful financial times throughout our lives. The excessive credit card spending, medical bills or the loss of a job has put many of us in difficult financial situations.
Many times we are able are able to overcome these situations and recover from the financial problems that we find ourselves in. But there are also times for some of us that we are so far in debt that we cannot seem to get a head. The inability to pay our bills in timely manner has eventually left a mark on our credit score.
Put simply, a credit report is our financial report card – the history of our debt and spending and our track record when it comes to making on time payments. Lenders look at our credit report to determine if we are credit worthy and should be given a loan and at what interest rate that loan can be given at. Over the long run a good credit score can save you thousands. Do you know your score?
Our credit report is held by the three largest credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax; all three gather information regarding our financial health including amount of debt that we hold, any history of late payments, and any incidence of loan default. These factors together account for our credit score – a numerical value that is attached to our credit standing and is pivotal in our financial success.
A few years ago I started getting my yearly free credit report to help protect myself from identity theft and to keep an eye on my credit score. Annually checking the information on my credit report helps me manage any inaccuracies or changes to the information, and also lets me know of any suspicious activity. As an Illinois resident, you are entitled to one free copy of your credit report per year from the three credit reporting agencies. Click here for more information.
Knowing as we do that our credit score plays such a significant role in our lives we should all take the time to understand our credit and how our credit score is established. On Saturday, April 5th, Hawthorne is having a FREE credit reporting seminar at our Bolingbrook Brach from 10 am to 11 am. Click here for details.
Many times we are able are able to overcome these situations and recover from the financial problems that we find ourselves in. But there are also times for some of us that we are so far in debt that we cannot seem to get a head. The inability to pay our bills in timely manner has eventually left a mark on our credit score.
Put simply, a credit report is our financial report card – the history of our debt and spending and our track record when it comes to making on time payments. Lenders look at our credit report to determine if we are credit worthy and should be given a loan and at what interest rate that loan can be given at. Over the long run a good credit score can save you thousands. Do you know your score?
Our credit report is held by the three largest credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax; all three gather information regarding our financial health including amount of debt that we hold, any history of late payments, and any incidence of loan default. These factors together account for our credit score – a numerical value that is attached to our credit standing and is pivotal in our financial success.
A few years ago I started getting my yearly free credit report to help protect myself from identity theft and to keep an eye on my credit score. Annually checking the information on my credit report helps me manage any inaccuracies or changes to the information, and also lets me know of any suspicious activity. As an Illinois resident, you are entitled to one free copy of your credit report per year from the three credit reporting agencies. Click here for more information.
Knowing as we do that our credit score plays such a significant role in our lives we should all take the time to understand our credit and how our credit score is established. On Saturday, April 5th, Hawthorne is having a FREE credit reporting seminar at our Bolingbrook Brach from 10 am to 11 am. Click here for details.
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