The beginning of the year is a great time to be thinking about and making plans for your finances. You may already have a budget (if not, see how to make a budget) and have figured out how to cut your utilities, so another way to improve your finances is to increase your credit score.
There are many opinions on credit cards, but my view is that they’re actually pretty helpful as long as you pay them off each month. We use credit cards to earn points for travel and others just use them to earn cash back. If you feel you can handle the responsibility, then using a credit card will help increase your credit score and even earn those kinds of rewards I mentioned.
Remember to not to get into trouble with your credit card, you should only spend money you have. If your paycheck yesterday was $2,500, then it doesn’t matter that you have a credit card with a $10,000 limit. You only have $2,500 to spend!
8 Ways to Increase Your Credit Score
Have a credit card
One of the first steps to having a credit score and improving it is to have a credit card in the first place. You have to buy things on credit and then show that you can be responsible enough to pay it off!
If you are having a hard time getting approved for a credit card, you might be able to get a secured credit card. A secured credit card requires you to put down a cash deposit to guarantee that you’ll be able to pay off the card, but once you put the deposit down, you use it like a regular credit card. Eventually you can change it to an unsecured credit card (what most credit cards are). Nerd Wallet has a post on the best secured credit cards.
Pay Bills On Time
The place where people get into trouble with their credit cards is not making payments on time. This is the number one way your credit score will go DOWN—not paying your balance off on time. Most cards allow you to set up automatic payments for your monthly balance, which means you don’t even have to think about it. Even better: Set up your automatic payments to always pay the full balance!
You can also get credit for paying telecom and utility bills on time! Experian offers a program called Experian Boost. Sign up for a free Experian account and you can connect your banking information to get credit for paying your other bills on time! (Experian is one of the three major credit reporting agencies).
Have a good credit to debt ratio
You can’t beat this deal on leggings!!
Through Monday night, you can get 3 pair of activewear leggings for only $39 with free shipping at Marika.
These are highly rated with some normally $70 per pair!!
There is no coupon code needed to get this offer. Just add three participating styles to your cart and get them for $13 each. Choose from shorts and long leggings and over 45 different styles and colors.
Offer valid through Monday 1/13. Shipping is free.
See more online shopping.
Right now at Amazon, use this coupon code to get a 4-piece farmhouse kitchen table set for just $98.99!
To get the deal, use code 34FBXVHU at checkout. There’s two colors to choose from.
This would be a fantastic set for an apartment or small kitchen!
This deal is good for a limited time. Shipping is FREE!
See more online shopping deals!
Here are some practical savings to grab with Amazon coupons right now! Combine a digital coupon with Subscribe & Save to get great deals on Dove products!
There is a $3 digital coupon valid on select Dove products, plus you will save an extra 5% to 15% when you choose to Subscribe & Save.
Need some tips for saving more with Subscribe & Save? Check out my tips, tricks and hacks.
Deal Ideas
Dove Beauty Bar, Cucumber & Green Tea, 6-Pack – $8.98 (reg. $10)
– $3 off w/ digital coupon on page
– extra 5% off with Subscribe & Save
makes it $5.53 shipped!
Dove Beauty Bar, Cucumber & Green Tea, 14-Pack – $16.17 (reg. $22)
– $3 off w/ digital coupon on page
– extra 5% off with Subscribe & Save
makes it $12.36 shipped!
Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick – $6.97
– $3 off w/ digital coupon on page
– extra 5% off with Subscribe & Save
makes it $3.62 shipped!
Dove Men + Care Eucalyptus & Cedar Oil Body Wash – $9.99 (Reg $11)
– $3 off w/ digital coupon on page
– extra 5% off with Subscribe & Save
makes it $6.49 shipped!
These offers are good for a limited time only. Don’t miss out on these great savings!
Read More→
You can get good deals on bottled ranch dressing and you can’t get much easier than opening a top and pouring it out. But, in my opinion, homemade ranch tastes so much better!
This quick and easy homemade ranch dressing recipe takes minutes to whip up and is great as a dip or salad dressing.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 3/4 tbsp milk
Directions
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. You can also adjust the amount of milk depending on how thick or thin you'd like it.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
See more frugal recipes!
Make your tap water a little better with a great price on a large Brita Water Dispenser! Right now you can get a 27-cup size dispenser for only $27.99 (regularly $49.99) after a discount, coupon, and Amazon credit back.
This Brita dispenser fits on the shelf in your refrigerator if you want cool water, or just leave it on the counter for room temp. It also includes a BritaPlus high density water filter that traps twice as many contaminants including chlorine, mercury, cadmium, copper and zinc.
If you would prefer a different size, here are all the products that qualify for the Amazon credit and have the 10% coupon.
Get the Deal
Brita Plus Extra Large 27-cup Dispenser – $41.99 (reg. $49.99)
-10% off digital coupon
makes it $37.33
+ $10 Amazon credit back
Your Amazon credit will be in your account as soon as the product ships to use on your next purchase of anything from Amazon.
Another Option:
Buy:
Brita Plus Large 10-cup Pitcher – $24.99 (reg. $43.69)
Brita Plus Filters, 4 pk – $18.93 (reg. $25.99)
-15% off coupon for filters
makes it $41.08 for both
+ $10 Amazon credit back
We’re deep in the coldest part of winter; make sure your medicine cabinet is stocked with this Extra Savings Flyer deal from Publix! Get a great deal on Theraflu when you combine a store and an eCoupon with an Ibotta rebate.
Publix TheraFlu Deal (ends 1/24):
- Theraflu starting at, $8.59
-$2 off Theraflu Products, any, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-$2 off Theraflu item, Publix eCoupon
-$3 off Theraflu 6-40 ct or 8.3 oz, Theraflu-D 8.3 oz or Robitussin 16-20 ct or 4-8 oz, (Publix Coupon), Extra Savings Flyer printable
(use store, $2 off and $2 Ibotta, makes it $1.59)
Check out more great Publix deals.
Have you tried The Pink Stuff cleaner? It’s called the miracle cleaner because it works wonders! Stock up on The Pink Stuff for less at Amazon!
Right now you can grab this 3-Pack Bundle for just $14.37 (reg. $22.11) when you choose to Subscribe & Save and clip the coupon. The bundle includes the following:
- The Miracle Cleaning Paste
- The Miracle Multi-Purpose Cleaner
- The Miracle Bathroom Foam Cleaner
Here’s the deal:
The Pink Stuff 3-Pack Bundle – $22.11
-Choose to Subscribe & Save
-Clip the 30% off coupon
makes it $14.37 shipped!
This offer is good for a limited time only. Shipping is free.
See more household deals.
Here is a great deal on a device you can really use! Right now at Tile.com get up to 45% off Tile Bluetooth trackers.
Tile is perfect for keeping track of your valuables. Think keys, purse, that elusive-but-expensive water bottle…especially new Christmas gifts!
How it works:
Tiles come in the form of a key chain toggle, stick-on, or credit card-shaped/sized device that can attach (or slip inside) easily to your keys, purse, wallet, bike, etc. Connect it (with ease!) to your phone, and you can then find the lost item by using the “Find My Stuff” feature on your phone. Other features include:
- Use Tile to find your phone by ringing it (even when it’s on silent).
- Send an emergency alert + location to friends and loved ones.
- Get a Tile Lost & Found label to stick on any valuables. The QR code on the label can help the person who recovers your item to determine who it belongs to.
- Sign up for a protection plan to receive smart alerts (“looks like you left your wallet behind”), 30-day location history, even a reimbursement for you lost item if Tile can’t find it.
This offer is up for a limited time! Get free shipping on orders $35+.
Deal Ideas
Tile Mate 2-pk, black – $27.97 (reg $49.98)
Black Mate 4-Pack – $51.99 (reg. $99.96)
Tile Pro 2024 4pk – White – $84.99 (reg. $136.96)
Single Black Tile Mate – $14.99 (reg $25)
Orders $35+ ship free! Read More→
