How to get a free online credit report
I’ve been watching my credit at TrueCredit.com. Keeping track of my credit online lets me know what to expect if I apply for a new loan or line or credit, and lets me know right away if something incorrect is showing up. TrueCredit.com includes a free credit score (not included in most free credit reports), and provides graphs of your debt-to-income ratio, available credit, balances/payments, and total debt over time.
Credit Cards lowering credit limits
In the wake of the subprime meltdown, credit card issuers are getting nervous as well. Reportedly, they’ve been slashing credit limits at the first sign of trouble (a single late payment, for example). The ratio of credit used vs. credit available is used in calculating people’s credit scores, so this may have a negative effect on many people’s scores.
Patient financing for non-covered medical expenses
To get the financing, I simply went to Care Credit’s website, and filled out a short online application (they asked for my contact information, DOB, Drivers license info, Social Security number, Net Income, and my housing situation - own/rent/etc.). I instantly was told how much money I qualified for, and was given an account number…
Fraxel laser resufacing vs. CO2 laser resurfacing
In the past 5 years or so, there’s been a new exciting development in the field of laser resurfacing - fractionated lasers, most commonly known as “Pixel” and “Fraxel” lasers…
Into the Wild
I saw a screening of this movie tonight. It has the makings of a good, or certainly at least OK movie, but about an hour could have been left on the cutting room floor…
My kid could paint that — the Marla Olmstead documentary
The documentary is about Marla Olmstead, a 4-year old girl (now 6) who has been the subject of international news stories, and has sold over $300,000 dollars worth of art
Challenges of print design vs. interactive design
I’d been doing primarily web/interactive design for the past few years, but have recently gotten back into print. It’s where I got my start, but after being away from it for a while, I feel that I’ve gotten kind of soft. I’m noticing that print design is a lot less forgiving, versus interactive media. A few of the challenges…
The Apple iPhone vs. the Nokia E70
Well, the apple iPhone has just come down in price to the tune of about $200. Suddenly, my relatively anti-mac business partner is in love with the iPhone. Unlimited data and 450 minutes (plus rollover) for $59/month isn’t a bad deal. AND, you can connect to available Wifi networks, or through the cell phone’s connection. Plus its an MP3 player, has bluetooth, looks cool, has really good marketing, looks cool, has really good marketing, etc., etc.
A friend sent him a page from thebestpageintheuniverse tonight, that may have changed his mind.
OMG, there is such a thing as NUDE yoga.
I’ve recently started going to hot yoga classes. I was doing a little research to find out what the benefits of hot yoga are (vs. non hot yoga), and stumbled across a link to “nude yoga.”
Adapting (hacking) Ikea to make it your own
Ikea’s a great place to go if you’re setting up an apartment or an office. Their merchandise is generally clean, modern, and fairly simple in design. There’s a feature in the New York Times Style Section, though, that shows how people have taken Ikea’s simplicity and run with it — they’re modifying off-the-shelf pieces to make them their own unique and individual pieces. Some of the highlights: a waterproof dress (made from an Ikea shower curtain), a surfboard table (supported by two Ikea chairs), a hanging speaker assembly encased in two Ikea salad bowls, and a bunch of pieces where people have painted or otherwise decorated stools and end-tables.
