Mar

7

Paying Rent By Credit Card?

March 7, 2008 | 6 Comments

Today I read for the first time that people are paying rent by credit card.  I must have been out of this world for a while, as it seems it has become a common practice.  I am a landlord of two properties and never heard of it, yet it seems to be widespread.
The advantage to [...]

Feb

28

Who Reads The Credit Report??? Isn’t FICO Enough?

February 28, 2008 | 3 Comments

There has been plenty of media attention to the Fair Isaac scores (FICO).  After all, says 90 of the 100 largest banks use FICO scores, according to Fair Isaac.  What about the other 10 of the 100 largest banks, and many other smaller ones?  They may be using an alternative to the FICO score, or [...]

Jul

13

It Turned 100,000

July 13, 2005 | Comments Off

(Reposted, from my old blog.  First published on July 13th, 2005).
My trusty old 96 Mazda Miata M Edition turned 100,000 miles last Sunday while driving on the Masspike from Marlborough, MA to Pittsfield, MA (in the heart of the Berkshires).  Watching so many numbers turn
in unison on my odometer provoked many feelings, mostly positive.
The Miata [...]

Jun

5

Credit Card Management

June 5, 2005 | Comments Off

Credit cards are convenient, and even good when used judiciously.  They:

Keep record of your expenses.
Facilitate On line and Catalog Trade.
Offer some fraud protections that debit cards may not offer.
Provide and end-of-month, easy to read, analyze, and archive statement.
When used right, help build up the credit score, so that you can buy a house later.
You can [...]