I think credit card interest expenses are likely one of the largest overlooked costs for many families. This is particularly true for those who have multiple credit cards and fail to add up $20 in interest here, $15 there etc.
I usually do a free trial (and cancel) every couple of months, but thanks to data breaches at Sony and another company a few years back, I fortunately have free credit monitoring alerts for the next year. If I didn't have those, I would probably pay a monthly fee for the service just to make sure nothing unusual occurred.
Lately, I've checked my credit report about once per month using creditkarma.com
The thing I enjoy most is that creditkarma.com is free, easy, and extremely helpful with determining what habits are helping and/or harming my overall credit score. There are a lot of other useful tools on the site to help understand and manage your credit as well.
The idea of "train your muse" is the best piece of advice here. Show up, show up early, show up often....I think that takes care of a lot of creativity blocks. Granted, it's more complicated than that....but just training yourself to be present and be creative is a huge first step.
Also, the very simple task of keeping a small notebook and writing down every single creative idea as it comes to mind is extremely helpful in training the brain to always be on the lookout for creative ideas.
Having adopted several cats and kittens through the years, I have NEVER been able to do this from a shelter for a mere $25. It's usually more in the $100 range but the unconditional love is worth it. The last two we adopted from a rescue organization and the pair was $300.
We LOVE Netspend and have had an account with them for four years. It has been a lifesaver for us. We have questionable credit and this was the only way to be able to pay for things on line and not go into debt. I have never had any problems with them and they DO NOT over charge. I believe that you are being OVERCHARGED by your bank and credit card companies. I pay $5 a month to use their service. How much are you being charged to use you checking, savings, and credit cards every month... and I am not going into debt. If the money is not on there... I can't buy it.
Unfortunately, we only look at our probably once every few years unless we have a problem or loan we need. We really need to check it every 6 months, but I don't really think about it.
Yep, so true. I can't trust myself to remember even the important stuff - so having some kind of system for getting that stuff written down in a safe place is huge. Plus it allows my brain to quit focusing on "remembering every single thing" and focus on doing something creative/productive instead.
CreditKeeper sends me an update each month on my credit scores or if there's any funny activity going on with it. They charge me $10 a month but it's worth it!!! :)
Maybe one of the other regulars can offer some useful suggestions—but they're only likely to see new comments (not replies to old comments). So, you might ask by posting a new comment that'll show up at the end of the list of comments.
Good tip, Shel, thanks! I use DropBox (for files) and Evernote (for notes, drafts, etc.) and it's really nice to have my stuff accessible from anywhere. I actually end up using Evernote on my phone frequently when I'm on the go and have a few moments - I can pull up my latest outline or draft and scribble notes in my notebook, do some editing, whatnot. It helps me stick to my rule #1 of using the few minutes I find here and there.
Yes - this is a great point! And I think it's especially important for online/computer work as it's so easy to keep following links, opening tabs and files, etc., and then you end up with a desktop full of half-completed projects and nothing you can call finished.
Thanks, Bryna, glad you liked the article. And really glad that tip is helping you out - it's been a huge productivity boost for me. In fact, it's how I actually managed to finish the novel I'd been writing for 5 years. Last year I finally decided to quit trying to arrange an hour or two of writing time, and just take whatever I could get: 20 minutes, 20 words, whatever. I finished it by the end of 2011 in those little scraps of time. The small daily movements really do add up, and faster than we think they will.
Aw, thanks!
Rewards are Huge, and a great motivator for staying on track with whatever habit you're learning.
If you're an iPhone user, you might like this app which allows you to do on your phone exactly what you're doing on paper (set up points, track, and earn your rewards): http://www.jasonclegg.com/2012/02/my-new-productivity-app-the-productive...
I say have dinner with a friend. Either cook something nice at home or go to a reasonable restaurant. The people around you are the most important part of your life, so nurturing friendships is a good investment!
I think credit card interest expenses are likely one of the largest overlooked costs for many families. This is particularly true for those who have multiple credit cards and fail to add up $20 in interest here, $15 there etc.
I usually do a free trial (and cancel) every couple of months, but thanks to data breaches at Sony and another company a few years back, I fortunately have free credit monitoring alerts for the next year. If I didn't have those, I would probably pay a monthly fee for the service just to make sure nothing unusual occurred.
I don't check mine.
Lately, I've checked my credit report about once per month using creditkarma.com
The thing I enjoy most is that creditkarma.com is free, easy, and extremely helpful with determining what habits are helping and/or harming my overall credit score. There are a lot of other useful tools on the site to help understand and manage your credit as well.
I like WB on FB!
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/junethomemaker/status/167325716600467458
The idea of "train your muse" is the best piece of advice here. Show up, show up early, show up often....I think that takes care of a lot of creativity blocks. Granted, it's more complicated than that....but just training yourself to be present and be creative is a huge first step.
Also, the very simple task of keeping a small notebook and writing down every single creative idea as it comes to mind is extremely helpful in training the brain to always be on the lookout for creative ideas.
I review my credit whenever I want with CreditSesame!
Having adopted several cats and kittens through the years, I have NEVER been able to do this from a shelter for a mere $25. It's usually more in the $100 range but the unconditional love is worth it. The last two we adopted from a rescue organization and the pair was $300.
I check mine once a year at the free credit score website
I will definitely be using these tips while working on my own writing.
We LOVE Netspend and have had an account with them for four years. It has been a lifesaver for us. We have questionable credit and this was the only way to be able to pay for things on line and not go into debt. I have never had any problems with them and they DO NOT over charge. I believe that you are being OVERCHARGED by your bank and credit card companies. I pay $5 a month to use their service. How much are you being charged to use you checking, savings, and credit cards every month... and I am not going into debt. If the money is not on there... I can't buy it.
Unfortunately, we only look at our probably once every few years unless we have a problem or loan we need. We really need to check it every 6 months, but I don't really think about it.
Three times a year, once from each of the three credit bureaus.
Glad you like the tips, Jenna. Sounds like you've already got quite a few of these down.
Yep, so true. I can't trust myself to remember even the important stuff - so having some kind of system for getting that stuff written down in a safe place is huge. Plus it allows my brain to quit focusing on "remembering every single thing" and focus on doing something creative/productive instead.
You're so welcome, Andrea! (That's my name, too - I just go by Annie most of the time.) Glad you liked the tips, hope they help you.
CreditKeeper sends me an update each month on my credit scores or if there's any funny activity going on with it. They charge me $10 a month but it's worth it!!! :)
I'm afraid I'm not the one to ask.
Maybe one of the other regulars can offer some useful suggestions—but they're only likely to see new comments (not replies to old comments). So, you might ask by posting a new comment that'll show up at the end of the list of comments.
Good tip, Shel, thanks! I use DropBox (for files) and Evernote (for notes, drafts, etc.) and it's really nice to have my stuff accessible from anywhere. I actually end up using Evernote on my phone frequently when I'm on the go and have a few moments - I can pull up my latest outline or draft and scribble notes in my notebook, do some editing, whatnot. It helps me stick to my rule #1 of using the few minutes I find here and there.
Yes - this is a great point! And I think it's especially important for online/computer work as it's so easy to keep following links, opening tabs and files, etc., and then you end up with a desktop full of half-completed projects and nothing you can call finished.
Thanks, Bryna, glad you liked the article. And really glad that tip is helping you out - it's been a huge productivity boost for me. In fact, it's how I actually managed to finish the novel I'd been writing for 5 years. Last year I finally decided to quit trying to arrange an hour or two of writing time, and just take whatever I could get: 20 minutes, 20 words, whatever. I finished it by the end of 2011 in those little scraps of time. The small daily movements really do add up, and faster than we think they will.
Aw, thanks!
Rewards are Huge, and a great motivator for staying on track with whatever habit you're learning.
If you're an iPhone user, you might like this app which allows you to do on your phone exactly what you're doing on paper (set up points, track, and earn your rewards): http://www.jasonclegg.com/2012/02/my-new-productivity-app-the-productive...
Once every two years or so. I should do it annually but never manage to.
I say have dinner with a friend. Either cook something nice at home or go to a reasonable restaurant. The people around you are the most important part of your life, so nurturing friendships is a good investment!