Today was a great day. I checked Microsoft Money to review my credit card balances and breathed a sigh of relief when $278 appeared in red. There was a time when red = $11,000. Well, following the advice of my daily session with Clark Howard on AM radio, I didn't get out the scissors. I reached to the left of my PC and turned on the shredder. Guess who fell in? The GM Card (Household), Spiegel (FCNB), Target (Dayton Hudson), The Gateway Card (Hurley State Bank) and JC Penny (Monogram Credit Card Bank of Georgia) met their fate. By the way, when closing an account, always request written confirmation that the account has been closed. Capital One Platinum (lowered to 8.9%), Bank of America Platinum (9.9%), Fleet Fusion (11.99%), my credit union Platinum (10.99%) and Bloomingdales (21.6% that never has a balance beyond the billing cycle) have received amnesty because each has a special place in my heart My score of 746 will take some sort of a hit, but who cares? I'm saving a bundle and feeling great! My advice, don't apply just to apply. Balance transfer the high interest cards to the lower cards. Invest in Microsft Money or Quicken to track your income and expenses. Once you begin documenting your expenses, you will find that some things you can do without...regardless of your income. Sorry for the long post. It's been a while. CardKid
I have microsoft money on my pc and have NEVER used it, I think I'll go check it out now. Thanks for the advice.
Good Advice.. Love Microsoft Money and Quicken..I must say this is the first year since 1998 that I think Microsoft Money is better than quicken..
I use it to track everything...even money I drop in the vending machine. CardKid (or should I say, FrugalKid)
Cool! I'm glad I'm not the only one CardKid, you're right. After a while of getting yourself together, CC companies can flatter you all they want, but unless you really need them for a BT, you can tell them where to go!
Great advice. I love MS Money. I've been using it since 1992 for every single financial transaction that I make. Using it properly gives one a quick look at their financial outlook at any given time, although sometimes I don't want to see it. JP
I just briefly ran through it and it's AWESOME...it will take me some time to sit and go through all of this. I'm wondering if I should do mine and hubby's together or seperate since we have seperate bills, checking & savings accounts? He pays mortgage, utilities, insurance & taxes. I pay for my Durango, insurance, groceries and personal items. **edit** I just found out it can download my checking information right from the site. That's too kewl because I do all of my checking account balancing online etc.
Christi, You can track both individual and joint accounts to give you an accurate financial picture. CardKid
CardKid Bank of America Platinum (9.9%), Fleet Fusion (11.99%) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get BofA PRIME+0.00% (BT) FLEET FUSION 9.99%
Thanks for the advice, George. I was not aware of BOFA or Fleet's lower rates. I now have a mid-afternoon, cage-rattling, bankcard jamboree set for tomorrow. Prime plus 0% is too good to pass up. Thanks. CardKid
George, Prime + 0% applies to balance transfers. The reduced FleetBoston rate applies to customers that have a checking or savings-type relationship with them. CardKid
