Building Healthy Credit

Even if you are not in the market to get a loan, having and building a healthy credit score in the United States can be beneficial and even fundamental for managing your bills. Your credit score is a complex algorithm designed by lending agencies to allow lenders to quickly and easily judge how likely you are to pay your bills and manage the amount of debt you request to borrow. Your credit score can earn you discounts and perks, even on basic utilities like electricity (or washer and dryer rentals!), or it could prevent you from being able to obtain loans in the future, all depending on how you spend your money over your lifetime. Though it takes years to build credit, don't feel intimidated! There are a few simple things you can keep in mind to build a good score.

Credit is based mainly on your borrowing history.

Even if you have a bank account and pay your apartment rent on time and have never had a credit card or been in debt, you may not have an established credit history. Having no credit can be just as detrimental as bad credit because lenders don't have any idea about how likely you are to pay your debts. The credit bureaus recommend that you have somewhere between 4 and 6 accounts that report to credit agencies to have a healthy score. A credit line could be a student loan, a car loan, or even as simple as a card that you buy groceries with and pay off at the end of each month.

You don't have to start off with no credit when you turn 18.

Parents can add their children's names to credit accounts when they are of age, usually around 16, to begin building credit. Your teenager does not have to use the card or even make payments, just having her name on the card will piggyback off of your credit score. However, keep in mind that if your credit is bad and you do this, your child will inherit bad credit too.

The amount of time you keep a credit line matters.

Having long-standing accounts that are paid on time for several years helps to build your credit. This is another great reason to start early when building your credit. Even if you pay off your debts, try to keep at least one card around that you have a long history with.

Keep a low balance on your cards and low overall debt.

Try to keep the amount of debt used on your credit line below 30%. A heavy determinant of your score is how much debt you have compared to how much you make each year. But just having a maxed out credit card can be damaging to your credit. Try spreading out your debt over a couple of cards and try to be as pragmatic and conservative as possible when judging how much you need to borrow. Just because you can borrow a lot doesn't mean that you should.

Hard inquiries to your credit do effect your score, but not by much.

Any time someone other than you checks your credit -- that is, any time you show interest in taking on more debt-- lenders see this as a potential risk factor in lending to you, which can potentially damage your score. However, the actual debt you have compared to your income and whether you pay your bills on time is far more weighty than an outside agency checking your credit. To limit the number of checks, check your own score regularly so that you have your rating in mind. Then whenever you are interested in dealing with a company who checks credit, be sure to ask what general score range they look for to get the best rate. This will help you judge how likely you are to be approved at the budget line you are looking for without adding unnecessary dings to your score.

Checking your credit score is free!

Though all of these factors are very important, the best way to keep on track is to check your score and your detailed report. Credit scores vary so much from person to person because everyone's financial needs are different. You can check your score as many times as you want, as well as obtain at least one annual detailed report from each of the three main credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) at no cost. Credit monitoring sites such as CreditKarma.com are a great free resource for gaining insight into your credit history. If at any time you see major changes in your score and you're unsure why, get a detailed report from each of the bureaus to make sure your affairs are in order. Big unexplained changes can point to errors in reporting or even identity theft.

Remember, knowledge is power! Keeping your credit rating in mind when you're budgeting can give you an edge in the future. Though credit scoring can seem scary and mysterious, it's just another factor in balancing your finances that you can use to your advantage. So keep an eye on it every month, just like your bills and your bank account. And until next time, keep it clean!

Treating Colds and Allergies

Last week our household was struck with the dreaded summer cold. Nothing kills a warm summer day faster than wanting to go out in the sun but already feeling hot and clammy, or wanting to run around outside and feeling achy and stuffy and tired. Here are a few home remedies that can help you get back on track to feeling your best.

Gargling salt water helps to kill bacteria in your mouth and throat and loosens any phlegm that contributes to your throat feeling scratchy. It also helps dull the pain of a sore throat. Some people also gargle warm mouthwash with similar results.

Ginger root, when grated and steeped in warm water, makes a spicy tea that helps to calm your nausea from a runny nose. It's also anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and boosts your circulation, which helps to ease irritated noses, sore throats and headaches.

Turmeric tea is a lighter summer alternative to the healing turmeric milk recipe featured here a couple weeks ago. The bitter, sweet and sour flavors compliment each other interestingly and feel great on your nose and throat. Squeeze half a lemon, a teaspoon of honey and half a teaspoon turmeric into a mug and stir together to make a syrup. Slowly pour hot water until your mug is full, then let steep for 5 minutes for full healing effects. Fresh turmeric, like fresh ginger, is a knobbly root that can be found in the produce section of most stores and Asian grocers. However, powdered turmeric works just fine too.

Keep exercising. This may seem counter-intuitive, but studies have shown that aside from preventing sickness, exercising actually helps you to feel better during sickness. Exercising at the same intensity as you normally would when you have a cold surprisingly doesn't inhibit your performance in any area. It doesn't seem to cure colds faster, but participants who exercised found that they felt better and more energetic sooner than participants who didn't. Studies haven't been done yet with sickness beyond colds. However, use caution if your cold involves fever or chest congestion as intense activity may exacerbate more serious ailments.

Drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest. This goes without saying, but don't oversleep either. Sleeping too much can be just as detrimental as sleeping too little. Get in a solid 8 hours and always have a glass of water nearby.


If you are struck with the same misfortune I was, hopefully these tips will help you get back on your feet again. Until next time, keep it clean! :)

Oven-Baked Zucchini Fries

If you are like me, you struggle between eating your favorite foods and maintaining your ideal weight, and the struggle seems to be endless. Trying to stick to my healthy eating habits, I was hunting for healthy snack ideas, when I stumbled upon this lovely Zucchini Fries recipe in Kraft Recipes magazine. I am not a fan of Zucchini, but this looked interesting, and I thought I’ll give it a try. And it is indeed something you should try too! 

Zucchini has a hard texture, which works to its advantage here – the fries do not become soft and soggy, they maintain a firm shell, while the coating on the top gives it a crispy covering. Cheese gives it a warm gooey coating, and seasoning adds an element of flavor. Quick, easy, healthy and delicious – you don’t find such foods easily, so hang on to this recipe!

Oven-Baked Zucchini Fries
makes approximately 8 servings Ingredients
3 zucchini (1 lb.)
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 packet Shake & Bake Coating Mix
1 small egg
Method
Heat oven to 450ºF.
Trim the zucchini - cut crosswise in half, then cut each piece into 1/4-inch sticks. Add cheese to coating mix in shaker bag; shake gently to combine.
Whisk egg in medium bowl. Add zucchini; toss to coat. Use tongs to place 1/4 of the zucchini in shaker bag; close bag and shake to evenly coat. Spread onto baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Repeat with remaining zucchini.
Bake for 12 to 13 min. or until golden brown, turning the baking tray 180 degrees after 7 min to facilitate even baking. Meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients.
Remove the baked fries from the oven, and serve them with your favorite dipping sauce!

This is a great way to enjoy some healthy greens in a fun and tasty way. It also serves to be a great snack for kids – they’ll love the taste, and you’ll love feeding them something healthy! Until next time, keep it clean (and healthy)! :)

5 Uses for Baking Soda In Your Bathroom!

Have you ever been up watching some late night TV and you hear something about a miracle cleaner that you can only get for a "limited time"! Although, look no further! There is no need to spend $19.99/mo for 3 months to find a product for all of your cleaning needs. It's also nontoxic, meaning it won't introduce any potentially hazardous substances to the home, water supply or hands of curious children. In fact, you've probably eaten this stuff, although mixed with other ingredients. It might be in your kitchen even now.

If you haven't guessed, we're talking about baking soda. This product that raises cakes and calms heartburn also has a number of cleaning applications. Although it's mild enough to use on most household surfaces, this article focuses on uses in the bathroom -- which covers a lot of ground, metaphorically speaking. Today I will talk about the magic power of a product you can get at any grocery store for under $5.00.

How does baking soda clean?

Baking soda's cleaning power is mostly physical. A mild abrasive, it gently wears away stains.  But chemistry is involved, too. Baking soda reacts with the grease in stains to form glycerol, a common cleansing ingredient in soaps. Mixing it with vinegar creates carbonic acid, a weak acid that boosts the corrosive action of vinegar. It also releases carbon dioxide, the gas that makes soft drinks bubbly, which may enhance the scrubbing effect. Also, as a weak alkali, baking soda neutralized acids in order molecules to eliminate strong smells. 

Toilets!

Although some toilets are made with a stain-resistant finish, the bowl is still at risk of staining. The minerals in standing water can discolor the porcelain. Brown- and rust-colored rings can be a particular problem in areas that have mineral-rich water, also known as hard water. If allowed to build, such stains require strong acidic cleansers to remove. These products can slowly erode the porcelain, not to mention the immediate damage they can do to the skin, eyes, nose and throat. It's worthwhile, then, to practice preventive maintenance. First, make "flush" a family rule. Also, make a simple routine part of your weekly cleaning: Sprinkle the toilet with cup of baking soda. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then spray or squirt with vinegar (a mild acid) to moisten. Scrub with a bowl brush and flush away!

Bathtubs and Sinks!

That chalky ring around the tub isn't a sign that the last person who took a bath was particularly dirty. Even in the most hygienic households, soap scum can strike. Soap scum is the residue that results from body oils and the fats in soap reacting with the mineral salts in water. Bathtubs, showers and sinks are prone to soap scum. Again, hard water aggravates the problem. Wipe down tubs and sinks after using them to prevent soap scum from forming. If soap scum does show up, sponge it off with a paste of baking soda and dishwashing detergent. Unlike soaps, detergents don't react with salts, so they don't contribute to the build up. To treat stubborn cases, add 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 cup ammonia to 1 gallon warm water. Douse the area and rinse it well. Wear rubber gloves and make sure the room is well ventilated when mixing and using this solution: Ammonia is a caustic. It burns tissue on contact and the fumes can damage your lungs, so be careful!

Shower Doors!

Glass shower doors add an elegant touch in a bathroom. But soapy water spots and stray flecks of toothpaste or shaving cream add an unattractive touch to glass doors. Most professionals discourage using common scouring powders to clean shower doors. The tiny, gritty granules that scrub off strains can also leave tiny scratches. Baking soda, in contrast, is a salt that dissolves in water. Sprinkle a little on a damp sponge and wipe down the glass. Rinse well and dry. For a really sharp finish, use a squeegee to avoid leaving lint and to minimize streaks.

Drains and Faucets!

As with toilets, standing water can mar the shine of chrome. The result isn't a stain, but mineral build up. As water pools around faucets and drains, the minerals settle to the bottom and eventually landscape the sink or tub with a rocky little ridge of calcium carbonate, also known as limescale. Commercial cleansers that are formulated specifically to dissolve lime and other mineral deposits have a drawback, besides toxicity concerns. They can discolor and damage chrome and stainless steel, as well as brass, bronze and nickel finishes. Vinegar, on the other hand, dissolves lime without harming metal. It works more slowly, however, and must be applied continuously. To keep vinegar from drying up or running off before it can do its work, mix it with baking soda to form a paste. Thoroughly coat the lime. Let it sit for a few hours, then rinse off.  Heavy deposits may take several applications to get rid of.

Vinyl!

Baking soda has as many cleaning uses for vinyl as there are types of vinyl surfaces. Start with the floor. A sprinkle of baking soda lightly scrubbed with a wet sponge will take many stains off of a vinyl floor. Be careful to avoid soaking the floor, however, and dry it thoroughly afterward. Water can seep into seams and under edges, loosening the glue and curling the corners. The same process works for vinyl shower curtains, bath mats and appliqués, which are prone to mildew as well as soapy residue. Curtains can additionally be machine-washed with baking soda. Add 1/2 cup with the detergent and choose the gentle cycle. (Toss in a few towels to keep the curtain from sticking to itself and clumping.) For added disinfection, pour in 1/2 cup vinegar during the rinse cycle. Let the curtain air dry; it will melt in the dryer. Let the rubbed-in paste stand  for 20 minutes or so to remove darker stains.

 Hopefully today we have all learned how to clean our bathrooms more effectively, without spending gobs of money! Until next time, keep it clean! :)