Your pocketbook
Six tips for improving your credit health
Staying on top of your finances, and particularly your credit history, is the key to getting the best deals when it comes to securing a mort- gage, a car loan, or even a new credit card.
1. Obtain your credit report annually. By law, you're entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus every year. Once you receive a report, review it to make sure all the information is correct. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll-free, 1-877-322-8228, to order your report and then monitor it reg- ularly.
2. Challenge any incorrect or outdated information on your credit report. Contact the report- ing credit bureau (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) and advise them of any errors. The bureau then must contact the credi- tor that reported the incorrect information. If the creditor doesn't respond within 30 days, the bureau must remove the item and send you a corrected report. Learn more from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fact sheet, "Credit Repair: How to Help Yourself," at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu /pubs/consumer/credit/cre13. shtm.
3. Take steps to avoid identity theft. When someone else uses credit in your name, your credit profile can be seriously damaged. Learn more at www.ftc.gov/bcp/ edu/microsites/idtheft. In addition, you may want to consider NEA ID Theft Protection, available for as lit- tle as $19.95 per year. Go to www.neamb.com, click on the Shopping & Discounts tab, and look under "Everyday Discounts."
4. Manage your credit profile: • Develop a realistic budget and pay your bills promptly. • Contact your creditors right away if you're having trouble making payments on time.
• If you miss a payment, develop a repayment plan and do what you can to stay current. • Consider automatic payment from your bank account to ensure timely payments. • Pay more than the minimum pay- ment on your credit card bill. • Take advantage of online resources to learn about how to improve your credit.
5. Develop a strong relationship with your bank. Make sure your banker knows you and understands your personal situation.
6. Seek guidance from reputable sources. If you seek help to repair your credit, make sure it comes from a legitimate source and is free or at a reasonable cost. Beware of credit repair or high-fee loan advance scams. Learn how to choose a reputable credit counselor at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/ consumer/credit/cre26.shtmor seek assistance from NEA's partner, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, at www.debtadvice. org/nea.
To learn about credit and your home financing options, call the NEA Home Financing Program at 1-866-327-6385 and speak with a Home Mortgage Consultant. Remember: The benefits of the NEA Home Financing Program are extended to parents and adult chil- dren of NEA members.
NEA Click & Save "Buy- lights" for September
Abe's of Maine (electronics): $5 off $70
Art.com: Get 20% off New Balance: Get 15% off Reebok: Get 20% off
Ticket Liquidator: Get $25 off $250
NEA Click & Save, the online discount buying service for NEA mem- bers, highlights select retailers and merchants each month. Check out these featured "Buy- lights" for September.
Endless Vacations: Get 35% off SwimSpot: Get 25% off
Join the 255,000 NEA members
already registered for NEA Click & Save. Go to www.neamb.com/ clickandsaveand start shopping today!
NEA Members save 15% at Chico's
now until October 9, 2012, NEA members get 15% off their total merchandise purchase at a Chico's boutique or Chico's Outlet—retired members are eligible, too! Simply print the voucher at www.chicos.com/teachersare
C
hico's knows NEA members are fabulous and want their wardrobes to show it! From
fabulousand present it along with your valid educator or school ID when you make your purchase! This offer does not apply to pur- chases made online at chicos.com or via phone, and is for one-time use only. Other limitations and restrictions apply—please see voucher for details.
Enter the "Who do you LOVE?" contest
Tell NEA Member Benefits who you love. Win chance for $1,000 in Visa gift cards.
www. neamb .com
20 September 2012 DSEA ACTION!
eptember is Life Insurance Awareness Month. To encour- age you to think about life insurance as an expression of your love, the NEA Members Insurance Trust is sponsoring a "Who do you LOVE?" contest until October 15, 2012. To enter, simply submit a story (200 words or less) that expresses why you love someone and why you want to protect them. You may also include a photo. Winning stories may be featured on the NEA and NEA Member Benefits Web sites.
S If you're the Grand Prize Winner,
you'll receive two $500 Visa gift cards – one for you to keep and one for you to share with your loved one. Visit www.mynealife.comfor more details and to enter.
www.dsea.org
