Health care is a basic human right, not a privilege. For some reason, we’ve allowed ourselves as Americans to be fooled into accepting that one must be blessed with “means” to actuate appropriate health care. As a nation we have failed to realize that our health care system is a barometer of our society’s value for human life.

-Me

Sunday, March 04, 2007

The Ins and Outs of Personal Credit

My personal credit has been, for some time, a personal nightmare. I've been slowly building up my said credibility but man, if you choose to deal 100% in cash and don't feel like selling your soul for a used car (what? $400 a month is too much for you? meh...) you aren't getting any brownie points from corporate America.

I can attribute my shitty personal credit to loads of shitty personal finance decisions as a 25 and under consumer. Having "seen the light" concerning finances, but making under 30K a year, my ability to clean up said credit is extremely limited. I have spent the past three years ensuring that I am in no one's debt, but that simply is not enough in the corporate credit arena. I also need to establish debt and show that I can be a compliant debtor, making those monthly payments by the letter on the date indicated by the money giants such as HSBC.

As of yet, I have not taken that step. Not because I lack the desire to see a credit score on the climb (and above the 500's range), but because the offers I receive for credit are in general, RIDICULOUS. Why would I want a credit card with a $300 limit that is accompanied by an 89 dollar annual fee, a 119 dollar origination fee, and a 17.95 montly fee. WTF? Who would agree to this? What planet do I seem to originate from? IAMASUCKER planet?

Recently I have been receiving offers of credit that border less on ridiculous and more on "perhaps reasonable". So what did I do today? I applied for and was approved for a credit card with a moderate credit limit, plain old variable interest rate, and a "reasonable" ANNUAL (not monthly) fee. I decided that now is the time to invest in my credit, and hopefully, a subsequent credit score increase. We'll see how that works out. But really, as I near thirty, it is exciting to be achieving new levels of financial independence and clearing all those seemingly unreachable peaks of credit-worthiness. So anyhow, heres to HSBC and all that money I will never pay them (such as over-limit fees, late fees.....)

As a side note, I bought a brand spanking new treadmill yesterday (or rather put down 400 dollars!) It is awesome, folds up, is not cheapo bottom of the line, but just nice enough to meet my needs. I took a jog on it, and even had my glucose tabs, glucometer, lancing device, and test strips all out in the "drink holders" to see if it jived during the run. It is nice, good for me, and it will mean that I will have the capabilities to run again! Running is such a part of my spirit. Since the time of Gracie's and Sandis's diagnoses, I haven't had the capabilities to run like I used to before. The only time I really can is around 5 or 5:30am and I don't feel safe leaving the kids alone at home and me out on my own in the darkened roads. So this treadmill is huge, HUGE, HUGE!!!! I spent around 900 bucks and I am excited about its arrival when I finish paying for it next weekend (although I somewhat mourn my laziness pending its arrival). I'll put up pictures when it gets here!

4 comments:

Lyrehca said...

Congrats on the treadmill and for deciding to improve your credit. If you can pay off your balance every month (maybe charge just a tiny amount that you know you can pay off) for a year, ask your credit card company about waiving the annual fee. As long as you're a great customer, they usually waive stuff like that.

Minnesota Nice said...

No, I don't think you should be running on dark roads either, not with all of this snow that is melting and refreezing.
Now that the days are longer and we'll be setting our clocks ahead next weekend, I'll be taking long walks after supper. But, I don't need to be wearing my headphones either - too distracting if someone were to come up and try to mug me.
Personal safety is a bigger issue than most of us want it to be. But, we need to make wise choices.
Have a good week, Ssarah.

Keith said...

Hope you like your new treadmill, mine isn't near that good but I still like it.

You probably know this, but credit card companies are out of control and our government (both parties) lack the intestinal fortitude and integrity to do anything about it!

Sorry for the rant... have a good week.

Scott K. Johnson said...

Glad to hear that you found a treadmill that worked for you - sounds like a perfect fit.

I agree that running inside will be a much better plan for you & the kiddos.