FINANCIAL EDUCATION AT A GLANCE
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Ways to Cut Down on Household Expenses |
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| Cutting down on household expenses can help you stick to your budget. Here are some ways to make every penny count:
Save money on grocery bills by planning your meals ahead of time and using a grocery list Buy items in bulk at warehouse clubs and discount stores Save money on heating costs–lower the thermo |
stat at night and while you’re at work
Save money on phone bills–shop around for a cheaper long-distance plan Avoid accumulating high-interest debt–cut up your credit cards and use cash instead |
| New Law Promotes Access to Free Credit Reports | |
| The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, has prepared a brochure, Your Access to Free Credit Reports, explaining your rights under the FCRA and how to order a free annual credit report.
A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. |
Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.
You can order your free annual credit report online at annualcreditreport.com, by calling 1-877-322-8228, or by completing the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mailing it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. |
