Credit Reports
Free credit report: www.annualcreditreport.com or 877-322-8228
Learning about your credit score as well as financial calculators: www.myfico.com
For help with credit reporting problems: www.ftc.gov
Consumer credit counseling service: www.nfcc.org or 800-388-2227
Budgeting
Budget Template (PDF)
Ways to Save Money
Beware of buying “conveniences”
Bring lunch versus eating out
Live with a roommate
You can save money on gas if your car is maintained and tires are inflated properly
Shop around for auto insurance and/or raise your deductibles?
Avoid banks with high ATM fees and avoid cash advances from credit cards
Use email or cell phones instead of regular long distance
Purchase used books
Clip coupons
Buy airline tickets months in advance and check online
Leasing a car is complicated and in most cases, is not the best option.
When making loan payments, “round up”/make extra payments.
Contact the electric company about being on the “budget plan”
Opt-Out of Marketing Offers
Stop pre-approved credit card offers: 888-OPTOUT (888-567-8688)
Have your name, address, and phone number removed from marketing lists. Contact the Direct Marketing Association by e-mail at www.the-dma.org.
Identity Theft
Toll free hotline: 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338)
Identity theft: www.fte.gov/idtheft
Identity theft is a serious crime that affects millions of people each year. For more information on how to avoid identity theft and what steps to take if you become a victim, please access the following website http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.
Calculators
Student loan repayment calculator: http://www.finaid.org/calculators/loanpayments.phtml
Other financial calculators: www.finaid.org/calculators