Thank you for participating in the Grow Your Green Savings Challenge

Hi!

It’s Cash Cat here, and I want to thank you for participating in the Grow Your Green Savings Challenge of 2009. Your hard work in the savings challenge and your activity in the online community throughout the year have really made a difference and has served as an inspiration for other savers. I’m honored that Tech CU was able to be a part in helping you work toward your savings goal.

As you may already know, the Grow Your Green Savings Challenge ended at the end of December with the selection of our Super Saver of 2009. Ron Vogel was the lucky winner of our $1,000 grand prize. Not only did Ron save consistently all year to reach his financial goals, but he also shared his many wonderful money-saving tips with other Grow Your Green members. (You can read them here.)

But Ron wasn’t the only one who was rewarded for saving. From March to November, eight monthly winners received $100 to be added toward their Grow Your Green savings goal. We’re also proud that the campaign was effective in helping our members save more in 2009. Here’s what we were able to accomplish: 34 Grow Your Green Savings Challenge accounts for a total of $17,966 saved!

While this campaign was designed to last for one year, at Tech CU we know that saving money and smart money management should be lifetime efforts. That’s why we’re committed to helping you stay financially fit all year long. If you enjoyed all the useful tips and entertaining articles we had here at the Grow Your Green site, I’m confident you’ll love Tech CU’s main blog, Money Savvy.  With articles such as Haitian Relief: Be Generous but Be Careful and Banks Lure Customers with Cash: Deal or No Deal?, you’ll continue to find relevant, insightful and helpful articles at our blog to help you succeed in your financial goals.

Thanks again for participating in Grow Your Green. And remember, we still want to stay connected to you so join the Facebook Tech CU Fan Page or follow us at Twitter/TechCU. That way you’ll continue being the first to learn about Tech CU’s rate changes, promotions and specials.

Until we meet again!
-CashCat

Thinking of a second job?

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you times are tough. I mean, we hear and read about it every day: “The economy’s in the tank!” or “Unemployment is on the rise!” or “This is the worst recession since the Great Depression!” Ai yi yi.

If you haven’t yet been affected, chances are you know someone who has. Many of my friends, for example, have had their hours or pay reduced so that their employers can “weather this economic storm.” These same friends, most of whom are college educated, have started picking up second jobs to make up for the difference in their shrinking incomes.

They’re not alone. Millions of Americans have second, even third jobs. And it seems to be a growing trend, especially with health care costs on the rise. So if you are thinking about joining the 17 percent of Americans who work more than one job, here are some ideas to get you going.

Pick up freelance or consulting work
Put your professional skills to use outside your 9-to-5 job. Are you an IT professional? Many small businesses and start-ups like to use contractors to beef up their limited IT teams. Are you a website designer? Search for local companies that could use some fine-tuning with their online presence.  Are you a writer? Content is huge, and most companies and nonprofits could use more help generating it in the form of newsletters, marketing emails and blog posts.

Teach and/or tutor
Are you an expert in some field or subject? Do you love to cook? Get a rush from working with investment portfolios? Why not show others the way? Teaching courses at your local community college could bring in some extra cash. (It could also be a great way to network.) If you like working with kids, check out tutoring and college prep centers. Tutors make about $20/hour and usually work a few hours each evening.

Head to the mall
Retail jobs offer flexibility, if you don’t mind working evenings and weekends. While you may be competing with teenagers and college graduates, who are facing a tough market, you can tout your managerial experience and maturity. Another plus? Employee discounts! (Just don’t spend every dollar you earn there! )

And, along the same lines, waiting tables is also a great way to earn some cash: flexible hours, free meals, and tips!

Help around the house (for a price)
Do you ever find yourself straightening up your sister’s house? Or maybe, with that green thumb of yours, you’re always bringing limp azaleas back to life? Well then, you should get paid for it!  Cleaning houses and landscaping for easy ways to earn extra money. Consider babysitting, house sitting or dog sitting too.

Be an eBay Power Seller
I have a friend who collects velvet Elvis paintings–he usually finds them at consignment stores and garage sales–and then sells them online. (Yeah, there really is a market for this. Who knew?)

Do you have a collection you can part with? Old clothes you no longer wear? You can make hundreds, even thousands, of dollars selling your used goods online because, as they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

While we’re all about saving money here at ‘Grow Your Green,’ we understand that life is also all about balance. Now that you have a few ideas under your belt, make sure that your bases are covered with your primary employer.

Before you moonlight…
Before you take on that second job, you should consider some things:

• Let your current employer know you’re thinking about moonlighting. Many companies have policies that prohibit their employees from doing certain things outside of work, such as consulting for competitors. See what limitations you may have.
• Be clear with both employers about your schedule, so that things don’t overlap. Get schedule terms in writing if you must.
• Don’t overextend yourself. If you do, your performance or health could suffer and that does no one any good.

Alright, there it is. What about you? Have you had to take on extra work? Are you considering it? Let us know how it goes, or if you have any other ideas for a second job, send them to us. Good luck!

Green is the new black

It seems the entire country is living by the ‘Grow Your Green’ mantra of saving. The Commerce Department reported last week that the personal savings rate hit a more than 15-year high of 6.9% in May.

And according to CNN Money, “even though the stock market has rallied since March on hopes that the worst is over, consumers have stepped up their penny-pinching ways. The savings rate was just 4.1% in February.” That’s a huge difference, compared to how we were stashing away (or not) from 2005-2008: most of us were just saving at a rate of between zero and 1%.

But are we saving enough?

Apparently, we still have a long way to go. Consumers were saving a lot more during recessions in the early 1990s, and savings rates grew to above 10% during tough economic times in the 1970s and 1980s.

While we may still have a ways to go, this new sense of “growing your green” is a good thing. Hopefully, it’ll keep us from overspending and going into debt–which is how we got into this mess in the first place, right?

How much are you saving compared to a few years ago?

Tell us about it and you could win money for that savings account!

Lessons from the King of Pop

Now that the world is getting over the initial shock of Michael Jackson’s sudden and unexpected death last Thursday at the age of 50, we’re getting a glimpse of the star’s mysterious life and lavish spending habits. While there are many questions left to be answered, at the top of the list: What will happen to his estate? Who will take care of his three children?

Jackson is believed to have left behind $400-$500 million in debts, and legal experts say mounting financial questions could take years to clear up–there will likely be major legal battles as creditors and family members stake their claim in the King of Pop’s legacy and estate, which some say could rival that of Elvis Presley and Graceland.

All this drama got me thinking, “Do I have a plan in place should something happen to me? How will my loved ones be cared for?”

It’s a good question we all should ask ourselves, and one way you can ensure that your family is taken care of is to establish a living trust.

What is a living trust?

A trust is an arrangement where one person, called a trustee, holds legal title to property for another person, the beneficiary. You can be the trustee of your own living trust and keep full control over all property held in trust. With a living trust, your assets (your home, bank accounts and stocks, etc.) are put into the trust, administered for your benefit during your lifetime, and then transferred to your beneficiaries when you die.

Why should I establish a living trust?

One of the biggest advantages of a living trust is that property left through the trust doesn’t have to go through probate court, which is the court-supervised process of paying your debts and distributing your property to the people who inherit it.

Probates can drag on for months before the inheritors get anything, and cost thousands of dollars in legal and attorney fees. (Read more on probate FAQ here.)

Does a living trust replace a will?

No. A will is an essential back-up device for property that you don’t transfer to yourself as trustee. For example, if you acquire property shortly before you die, you may not think to transfer ownership of it to your trust–which means that it won’t pass under the terms of the trust document. But in your will, you can include a clause that names someone to get all of the property that you haven’t left to a specific beneficiary.

If you don’t have a will, any property that isn’t transferred by your living trust or other probate-avoidance device (such as joint tenancy) will go to your closest relatives in an order determined by state law. These laws may not distribute property in the way you would have chosen.* Learn more about the difference at LivingTrustvsWill.com.

You can learn more about living trusts:
Nolo – Living Trusts
The State Bar of California

For more information on this important topic, you can also attend Tech CU’s seminar on living trusts next month at our San Jose location:

Wednesday, July 22
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Technology Credit Union
Corporate Office
4th Floor, Suite 450
2010 N. First Street
San Jose, CA 95131
Sign up here

Whether Jackson established a living trust remains to be seen, but we can all learn from his passing. Give your loved ones the power to control your estate through a living trust, instead of subjecting them to government regulations, court rulings, and lawyers’ fees during an already difficult time.

*Source: Nolo.com

Get help paying for college

As if keeping your grades up, studying for SAT’s, and taking part in all those extracurricular activities wasn’t enough (ai yi yi!), now that you’ve been accepted to college you have to start thinking about how you’re going to pay for it.

According to recently released reports from College Board:

“Most students and their families can expect to pay, on average, from $108 to $1,398 more than last year for this year’s tuition and fees, depending on the type of college.

“But there is good news. There is more than $143 billion in financial aid available. And, despite all of these college price increases, a college education remains an affordable choice for most families.”

To make it even more affordable, here are some tips and resources that can help you pay for that college education:

Get started early

The sooner you begin researching available resources, the better your chances to qualify for them. Talk with a campus guidance or career counselor and get in touch with the school’s financial aid office. These experts can help you navigate through all the paperwork, find the appropriate resources out there, and target the aid that you may qualify for.

There are also lots of online sites that can help you find the aid that’s right for you:

• FAFSA
• FinAid!
• Sallie Mae
  
• Financial Aid Finder
• U.S. Dept. of Education
  

Consider all sources

There are many different types of funding such as scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs for undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral students. You should also look into federal, state and local grants.

You can find a scholarship for almost any category: athletics, academic merit, disability, race, nationality, major, etc. FastWeb’s free scholarship search makes finding the right scholarships for you easy.

Remember deadlines!

Get an early start, then keep a log of cutoff dates for all financial aid packages and set reminders for them. You don’t want to miss out on any opportunities because you missed a deadline. (Try sites like Google Calendar, which offers a free calender reminder service so you can get all that paperwork filled out and mailed out on time!)

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is a federal assistance grant that is awarded to low-income undergraduate and certain post-baccalaureate students to promote access to post-secondary education. Students may use their grants at any one of approximately 5,400 participating post-secondary institutions in the country.

To qualify for a Pell Grant, you must demonstrate financial need. Learn more here.

Stafford Loan Program

Stafford loans are federal student loans made available to college and university students to supplement personal and family resources, scholarships, grants, and work-study. Nearly all students are eligible to receive Stafford loans regardless of credit. Stafford loans may be subsidized by the U.S. government or unsubsidized depending on your needs.

Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Your parents can borrow a PLUS loan to help pay for your college expenses if you are a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half time in an eligible program at an eligible school.

Apple scholarships

Love products like the iPhone? Then get Apple to pay for college! The Apple Scholars program recognizes the academic and creative abilities of outstanding high school seniors with $2,000, an Apple Nano iPod, plus a pricey laptop to take to college.

According to CollegeScholarhips.org, eligible applicants must be ready to go head to head with some pretty stiff competition. The idea is to prove, via a “senior project,” that you can synthesize your academics with the creativity inspired by your Apple experience and savvy.

(Side note: Besides the scholarships, Apple also provides education discounts for students, K-12 institutions, colleges and universities.)

Microsoft scholarships

Not to be outdone by Apple, software giant Microsoft also wants to help the country’s future engineers and scientists. Microsoft scholarships are awarded to students entering computer science and related technical disciplines: General Scholarships, Women’s Scholarships, Underrepresented Minority Scholarships, and Scholarships for Students with Disabilities.

Google scholarships

Of course, where there’s Apple and Microsoft, there’s Google. The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship encourages girls to enter and succeed in the computing, engineering and technology fields.

Recipients will each receive a $10,000 award for the 2009-2010 academic year; finalists will each receive a $1,000 award.

Get mom and dad to help

Talk to your parents about some ways they can help you pay for your education. For example, if they own a home, a home equity line of credit could free up some funds to pay for tuition, books, room and board.

You can also ask your parents about a 529 College Savings Plan. A 529 Plan is an education savings plan operated by a state or educational institution designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs. Contributions grow tax-deferred and withdrawals are tax-free for 529 plans.

The more financially prepared you are for college, the more you’ll be able to focus on your studies. While college is expensive, many counselors say that most students don’t take advantage of all the financial resources available to them, so take time to do your (financial aid) homework and it could really pay off! (Hey, we even have tips on what you could do with that extra money!)

7 common money wasters

Do you ever feel like you have a leak in your bank account? Like all the money you put in there mysteriously disappears? If you’re like me, chances are you’re spending money on a lot of little things that you don’t need–little things that add up to a whole lot of cash.

Here are a few of those “little things”  that you can save money on today:

1. Eat out less
Do you go out for lunch every day? Even if it’s just a $5 fast food meal, that can quickly add up. You could save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars a year if you pack your own lunch. (Read our “Dining on a Dime” tips.)

2. Curb spending on unnecessary luxuries
Are you paying top dollar for all those cable channels that you don’t have time to watch? (Learn how to save money on cable costs.) Take a closer look at your phone bill. Do you really need extras like call waiting and call forwarding?

3. Cancel or defer unused memberships
When’s the last time you actually went to the gym (be honest now!)? Are you still paying membership dues even if you haven’t worked out there in a long time? Gym memberships can cost up to $100 a month. If you’re tight on cash, cancel your membership or put it on hold until you’re ready to make use of it.

If you need to work out, try some of these at-home exercises. You could also check out some local trails in your neighborhood. A jog or bike ride are some great, inexpensive ways to get that heart rate up.

4. Stop your magazine subscriptions
How many magazines and newspapers do you subscribe to? Many subscriptions are automatically renewed, so you eventually forget that you’re paying for them. Take a look at what you’re actually getting value from–could you get the same information online? Could you get these subscriptions at a discount?

5. Be selective with your music purchases
Have you ever spent $20 on a CD and found yourself only listening to a couple of songs on the album? You could save a lot of money if you just buy the individual songs at online stores such as iTunes, where songs typically cost under $1.

6. Pass up those hard-to-pass-up sales
Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you should buy it. Even if that designer suit is 50% off, it’s probably still overpriced.  One little trick I use is to leave my debit or credit card at home. If I really like something, I ask the sales associate to put it on hold so I can go home at get my card. This gives me extra time to think about whether I still want the item. Usually I go home and don’t return to the store.

As my friend, Albert, says, “It’s not how much you save, but how much you spend.”

7. Avoid bank fees and interest charges
You could be wasting a lot of money because you don’t have the right bank account. For example, if you rarely go into a branch, try switching to a checking account that’s free with direct deposit. (Here are 5 easy steps to avoid bank fees.)

If you have a credit card balance, try to pay down the debt as quickly as possible. It could help your credit as well.

Money tips for new grads

Congratulations! You’ve done it! You’ve survived four years as a “starving student”–forgoing lots of luxuries and instead using what little money you have to pay rent and tuition, plus buying those ridiculously expensive books. I know you’re tired of being broke but  now you’re on your way. Soon you’ll have a real job and you’ll be able to have the life you’ve always wanted, the one you’ve worked so hard for.

But before you do, here are a few real-world lessons on money management to help you get on your way. These are some things I wished someone had told me before I donned my cap and gown. I hope they can help you now.

Your finances need a check-up

Take a good, hard look at your balance sheet. List all the debt you have, as well as the expenses and income you expect. Make a budget based on that information. It’s really helpful to see this on paper so you can get a better picture of how things stack up at the end of the month. Oh, and when you’re listing these numbers, remember to find a way to save. Cut out extra expenditures wherever possible: Are you really using that gym membership? Could you work out at home instead? Could you stop renting movies and set up a cheaper Netflix account? Do you need to go out on both Friday and Saturday nights?

It may feel daunting now, especially if you have student loans and credit card debt, but saving even just a few dollars a day helps you develop a habit of saving. And that will help you so much in the long run. (Just look at how much Americans are in debt. You can avoid all that with some simple habits.)

Manage your money with a little help

Now that you have your balance sheet in place, check out how your bank can help you manage your money. Have you bounced any checks? Ever been late on a car payment? Most banks offer free overdraft protection so you can avoid penalty fees for an overdrawn account, online bill pay to make paying bills fast and convenient, and e-mail or SMS alerts to remind you when a payment is due so you can avoid late fees and dings on your credit report. (Read our post, 5 easy steps to avoid bank fees, for more tips.)

Beware the credit card

You probably have at least one credit card you need to pay off. A new study by Sallie Mae finds that the average undergraduate carried $3,173 in credit card debt in 2008, the highest level since Sallie Mae began collecting this data in 1998.

If you carry any credit card debt, try to pay it down as quickly as possible. (It could take you years to pay off a credit card if you just pay just the minimum due every month.) And while you pay off your existing debt, try to use your credit card only in emergency situations. Spend only what you have. It’s a lesson a lot of us are learning the hard way as we try to pare back, given this recession.

And, while you’re managing your credit card debt, we have tips on improving your credit score too, since the higher the score, the better the loan rate you’ll be able to get when you’re ready to buy that new car or your first home–hey, the time will come before you know it!

Start saving for retirement

I know it also sounds crazy to think about retiring when you haven’t even landed your first job yet, but this is so important. Trust me on this.  If you start stashing away money for retirement at age 25 as opposed to 35, and you invest it wisely, you could have hundreds of thousands of dollars more by the time you retire.  (Check out this retirement calculator to see for yourself.)

If you want more savings tips, check in with us regularly. We have all kind sof advice, from getting the most from your tax filings to getting rid of all those pennies in your pocket. You can also stay up-to-date with the latest ‘Grow Your Green’ posts; just follow me on Twitter.com/CashCat and join my network on Facebook. I’ll let you know when we’ve got new stuff on here.

Oh, and again, CONGRATULATIONS, graduate! Now it’s time to make your place in the world and we’re here to root you on! Now, go get ‘em!

Bride on a budget

It’s that time of the year again: whether you’ve been invited to a friend or family member’s wedding or you’re planning your own nuptials (lucky you!), the madness that is June weddings will soon be upon us. And weddings–whether they’re in June or January–are expensive! On average, U.S. couples spend nearly $20,000 for their wedding.

So if you’re tying the knot soon, here are a few things you can do to keep expenses down. Because wouldn’t it feel better to put the savings in your ‘Grow Your Green’ account? For, say, an exotic honeymoon or a down payment on your first home? We think so!

1. Cut your guest list
This is probably the easiest way to trim your costs. Don’t invite friends you haven’t talked to in years. Don’t feel obligated to let single guests bring a date. Avoid the pressure to invite all of your co-workers and/or distant relatives.

You are usually charged food and beverage costs per guest, but also remember the extra costs of centerpieces, favors, chairs, etc. Trimming the guest list could save you thousands of dollars.

Check out Wedding Planning on a Budget on how to manage your guest list. A checklist and budget tracker also helps you rein in the costs.

2. Consider different dates

The most desirable times (like a Saturday night in June) come with the highest price tags, so consider having your wedding on a Sunday or during an “off-season,” such as winter. Many venues offer big discounts for less busy times of the year. In fact, weekday weddings are becoming more common, as couples look for different ways to save.

3.  Get creative
Instead of paying a florist to arrange your flowers, why not do it yourself? There are a lot of websites with great ideas, such as Do It Yourself Weddings. Find the flowers, bouquets and centerpieces you like, then buy the flowers and arrange them yourself. You could save hundreds of dollars, since the bulk of the cost for flowers is in the labor and not the actual blooms themselves.

And how about DIY party favors? Personalize your wedding for half the cost by visiting a craft store that has projects and instructions for making party favors and center pieces. Michaels has an entire section devoted to weddings.

Discount wedding invitations can also save you a pretty penny.

4. Find the perfect dress… on sale
Check out sample sales or bridal conventions–find out when the next Great Bridal Expo or Bridal Show will be in your neighborhood. Exhibitors showcase the latest styles; you could score a designer dress at a discount rate. Don’t have time? Here are 15 dresses under $1,500 at Bride.com.

5. Ask for help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. This is your special day and your loved ones are thrilled to be a part of it so why not enlist their help? Is your uncle a talented musician? Ask him to play at your wedding. How about Cousin Maple, the seamstress? Can she alter your wedding dress? And maybe your cousin, the graphic artist, can design the invitations and place cards.

As you plan for your wedding, remember that saying your ‘I do’s’ is an amazing experience that you should savor and enjoy.  If you plan your money-saving strategy in advance, you won’t have to stress over the tab at the end of the event. And you’ll have plenty left over for that honeymoon… and your future together as husband and wife!!

No more penny pinching

I found a very insightful story on NPR’s “All Things Considered” on how we think about and spend money. It’s called the Denomination Effect, which is the theory that we are reluctant to break large bills but more willing to spend that same amount if it were in parsed out into smaller denominations and/or coins.

Researchers conducted a series of experiments in the U.S. and China where they gave test subjects four quarters and a dollar. The researchers found that people were less likely to spend the bill than the four quarters they were given.

The experiment was featured in a New York Times article:

“People overvalue large bills,” said Joydeep Srivastava, a professor of marketing at the University of Maryland and one of the study’s two authors. “It’s partly a self-control mechanism—I want to hold onto it, because if I do break that big denomination, I lose track of my spending.”

I know that this is true for me. Say I’m at the grocery store and I want a candy bar. If I have a $20 bill, I’m less likely to break it for the candy. However, if I had coins or several $1 bills, I wouldn’t think twice. My friend, Jordan, agrees with the psychology: “No one wants to break a $100 bill. It just feels too significant.”

It’s the same with my savings account–the more money I have in it, the more I want to save. (There’s just something so satisfying about watching that balance grow.) If the balance is lower, I start thinking, “Oh well, it’s just a few dollars,” and withdraw to my heart’s delight. It’s not a very effective way to save, quite honestly.

So here’s a thought: If you’re having a difficult time saving money, why not get larger bills when you go to the bank? Apparently, we should stop trying to pinch those pennies and instead opt for larger bills because they don’t burn a hole in our pockets as quickly.

Seriously, we may not be able to depend solely on the government when we retire–Social Security and Medicare are dwindling in the recession–so this simple habit could really help down the line.

Improve your credit score

Have you ever been late paying a bill? Your credit score might have been affected by just one skipped payment.

Whether you’re trying to repair your damaged credit or you just want to improve your credit standing, here are a few easy tips to get you to your ideal score.

1. Know your score

In order to improve your credit score, you should start with finding out where you stand. (Get your free credit report.) Credit scores range from 300 to 850–lenders believe that the higher your score, the lower your risk as a borrower.

You have three FICO® scores, one for each of the three credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Each score is based on information the credit bureau keeps on file about you. Lenders use these scores to determine the amount and terms of your loans. A high score could save you thousands of dollars in interest.

Also remember that credit scoring is not just limited to banks. Other organizations, such as mobile phone and insurance companies and government departments use similar techniques. If you’re applying for a job, an employer may also run a credit check on you.

2. Pay your bills on time

Late and delinquent payments and collections can have a major negative impact on your credit score.

If you have any past-due bills, pay them now and then stay current with future payment cycles. If you cannot afford to make payments, call the lender and see if you can work out a payment plan. Most lenders are willing to work with borrowers to get current on their payments. If your home is in jeopardy, some lenders even offer loan modifications, so that you can stay in your home.

If you have trouble remembering to make payments on time, check with your bank to see if it offers e-mail or SMS alerts to remind you when a payment is due. Tech CU has this service in eNotifications.

Oh, and if you need more help, the Federal Trade Commission has tips for those who are knee-deep in debt.

3. Pay down your debt

High outstanding debt can also negatively impact your credit, so try to pay more than the minimum amount due each month. In fact, if you can significantly pay down–or even pay off–all your installment loans such as mortgage, auto, student, and credit lines, this can drastically improve your scores.

It may sound difficult at first, but there are several things you can do today to get those loan balances down. And, while we’re at it, be careful to avoid “dumb ways” to pay off debt that could actually get you into more financial trouble.

4. Review your credit report

You should review your credit report annually to check for inaccuracies and/or fraud activity.  Correct these issues as soon as possible. If too much time passes before you try to resolve an issue, it may be too late, and that inaccurate mark could stay on your credit report for as long as seven years.

• Make sure that your name, address, Social Security number, and all other personal information is correct.
• Make sure that there are no accounts, debts, bankruptcies, or court judgments on your report that don’t belong to you.
• Make sure that payment histories and balances are correct and that any errors you have reported have been fixed.

If you believe that you may be a victim of identity fraud, contact the U.S. Department of Justice immediately.

We also found a helpful Bloomberg video tutorial on improving your credit score:

Additional resources:
5 tips for improving your credit score
10 things you can do today to improve your credit
15 ways to establish and improve your FICO score

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