Jill Russo Foster

Happy Thanksgiving from Jill Russo Foster

There’s a song called “I’ve Got Plenty to Be Thankful For” sung by Bing Crosby in the movie Holiday Inn. It fits how I feel this holiday season. Sometimes people overlook gratitude as part of their wealth. So I want to personally thank all of my clients and readers for their loyal support. It gives me the opportunity to do what I love.

Thank you.

We had another something to be thankful for in November. We went to see our good friends and explore Austin and San Antonio, Texas. We took a river boat trip, watched the bats go off into the night, and took the river walk cruise. I guess we love the water because we even managed to find it in Texas! Check out our photos.

A Book Deal in Time for the Holidays

Through December 15, get Thrive in Five at a Special Rate.
Jill will start shipping on December 1st, so order now in time for the holidays.

Each year do you resolve to improve your finances only to have something happen that pushes you back to the same place you were last year? Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances in 5 Minutes a Day will help you change that. With daily short tips that take five minutes or less, this book will help you improve your credit score, spend less, and save more money – all while getting organized!

Read an Excerpt

Get the e-Book for $14.95

Kindle

Praise for Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances In Five Minutes a Day

“Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances In Five Minutes A Day” is a comprehensive, no nonsense book.

Jill’s direct, easy-to-understand style makes it Super Easy to take control of your finances TODAY. As someone who’s worked in a financial institution for 15 years, I’ve never seen everything so comprehensively laid out. This book should be required reading, and can be given to anyone at any age to help them save money. Jill truly understands that finances don’t have to be dull, boring and complicated. She even gives you days to ‘catch up’!

It sends chills up my spine to think about all of the people who don’t know these simple, doable steps.

READ this book and quickly take control of your finances. And get this— Each day the steps are written in a day-by-day, paint-by-numbers format, all EASY yet DOABLE!

Hey, it only takes five minutes or so each day — yet each step can take you one step closer to finally taking control of your finances!

I say get this book and get this book right NOW! It’s awesome!”

– Tracey Fieber, Retirement Transition Expert
New Face of Retirement
www.NewFaceofRetirement.com

“In the changing credit market, your advice has been in valuable. I have learned what factors make up a credit score and how I can help my clients to improve and avoid hurting their scores.”

Rick Bangs, CPA, Richard E. Bangs, Jr CPA

“Jill is always up-to-date on the latest financial trends and has a stellar way of breaking it down so it’s easy to understand. Over the past three years I have followed her newsletter, I have learned how to better and easily manage my finances including budgeting and monitoring my credit report.”

ChaChanna Simpson, Owner, Twentity.com

“I have known Jill Russo Foster for several years and her knowledge of personal finances spans many areas such as credit, financing, debt reduction, budgeting and more. She can explain topics in an easy to understand manner so that you know what to do for your situation. Jill has real passion and concern for all she speaks to. She wants people to live better lives by gaining control of their finances.”

Marian Cicolello, WBDC, CTWBDC.org

“I have had the pleasure of working with, listening to, and relying on Jill Russo Foster and her deep knowledge of personal finance and credit for the past year. Jill’s wealth of experience and “easy to follow” advice is as important to young adults as are the basic educational requirements of Math, English, and Science.

I wholeheartedly recommend Jill’s books, seminars, and forums to anyone interested in clean credit, low finance charges, and a bright fiscal future.”

State Representative Fred Camillo, 151st District-CT, RepFredCamillo.com

“Jill Russo Foster’s book has had a profound effect on how we view our money situation and how we teach our children about finances. I would recommend her books and services to anyone who is serious about saving and responsibly spending their money.”

Michael LaMagna, Esq.

“This year, far more than any other year, my husband Paul (the neat freak) and I (not so much) have both felt the need to “clean house”. In past years we haven’t been so aligned on this issue! Thanks to charitable organizations that will come right to your door and pick up unwanted clothing, home furnishings, and assorted tchotchkes and then put them to very good use, it’s easier than ever. We’ve both been feeling weighted down by the unnecessary clutter, and each time we schedule a pickup, it makes us more aware of the things that are not needed, and more eager to schedule another pickup – and more conscious about buying things that aren’t truly needed. We’ve also cut back on buying material gifts for the kids and opting for “experience” gifts such as skiing lessons, tickets to a show, and family outings. Truly, they don’t miss the gifts at all – the average toy captures their attention for literally about a week.”

Carolyn Aversano, Publisher / Managing Editor, Natural Awakenings Magazine, Fairfield County, ENaturalAwakenings.com

“Thanks to Jill Russo Foster, I balance my checkbook every day. It may sound time-consuming, but it’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done. My husband and I used to overdraw our account because we both use debit cards. Monthly balancing took forever, because we had a hundred tiny transactions and receipts. Jill recommended daily balancing, and that worked for us. I log into our bank account in the morning, balance our transactions, and it only takes a few minutes a day. Thanks, Jill!”

Valerie Crowley, Virtual Assistant, ValerieCrowley.com

“In today’s hectic world, it’s hard to keep everything in check. Working & raising a family can leave little time for much else. But, our finances are one thing we simply can’t let slide. Using her years of experience in the financial world, Jill has made it simple to take charge of your finances, by creating bite-sized pieces that anyone can follow. With something as critical as your finances, you can’t afford not to carve out 5 minutes each day to get yourself in gear!”

Kristin Andree, President – Andree Media & Consulting,
Author: Don’t Make Me Pull This Car Over: A Roadmap for the Working Mom

“Ready to quit worrying and start taking control of your finances? Get a copy of Jill’s book (or book title) and get started today!

Jill steps you through different priorities each month, one task a day. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to take the things that you have been putting off and finally getting them done!”

Vicki Heise, Founder, Live Your Healthy Life, LiveYourHealthyLife.com

“Finances are a big part of everyday life and can be costly. My client, Jill Russo Foster, breaks down finances into easy to understand steps that will help you get a grasp of your finances.”

Steve Harrison, Bradley Communications, www.FreePublicity.com

Holiday Credit Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

Getting ready for the holidays? That will put extra stress on your time and budget. Every time you shop, you’ll be facing temptations that could send your finances off the cliff. If you want to keep away from the edge , keep listening:

Every store will push their own card. They’ll offer a 10-15% discount if you sign up at the register. With your little pile of purchases in front of you, it will sound like a good deal. Don’t do it.

Why not? Because they’ll run an inquiry on your credit report, instantly lowering your credit score and costing you more money in the long run. Don’t forget that store credit cards charge the highest interest rates out there. Think about the temptation you’ll face. With one purchase safely tucked away on a new credit card, you’ll find some breathing room in your checking account for more holiday purchases. Before you know it, you won’t have enough left to pay the store card in full. In the end, that discount will have cost you over 15%, putting you in the hole.

You will be off your routine and forgetful. Between preparation, gatherings, and parties, something will probably slip through the cracks. You might even forget to pay a bill on time. Don’t do it.

Why not? Missing a due date will cost you a late fee – sometimes $35. If it’s a credit card payment, they could penalize you with an increased interest rate at a time you need it least. Worst of all, the late payment could end up on your credit report, lowering your credit score.

You will want to spend more than you can afford. Don’t kid yourself. Holidays are a time of giving and sharing. You will get caught up in the moment and spend more than you planned. You may even spend so much, that you won’t have enough left over to pay your credit card in full when the bill arrives. Don’t do it.

Why not? It could take forever to pay off. If you have a $500 balance and only pay the minimum amount due (typically 2%) then it will take you 85 months (or 7 years plus) to pay off the balance. That is assuming you don’t make any other charges. Plus, you don’t want to start the New Year with new debt.

Plan ahead and use cash for holiday shopping to stay within your budget. That way, you can enjoy the holiday season without facing budget busting debt in January.

Bedroom Makeover on a Budget

We’ve been updating the house for the past few years – on a budget. That means doing most of the work ourselves and finding bargains wherever possible. This year, I really wanted to tackle the bedroom.

Here are the details.

If you remember from #30Ways2Save, we painted our own bedroom in a weekend. It only cost a few cans of paint and was easy to do.

The carpet really needed to go. Our older home has small rooms, so we were able to find an inexpensive Berber carpet remnant, fully installed. We saved money by ripping up the old carpet ourselves (and moving the furniture). This was another weekend project that saved us money.

Finally, we really wanted new furniture. We’ve had the same bedroom set for 15+ years and it wasn’t high quality to begin with. It was past time for it to go. We didn’t need, or want, to pay for a full bedroom set, so we were open to different styles if they looked good together and the price was right. I grabbed my good friend Lori, and off we went. She’s an expert shopper and knows where to find the best deals. We were able to find a dresser and armoire, both on clearance, at two different stores. They look great together.

I am getting more comfortable with negotiating lower prices just by asking (and with touching up furniture). I was able to ask for additional discounts because of some minor scratches, which reduced the prices even more.

Bottom line: With time and effort you can have what you want at a cost that works with your budget.

How to use a unique password for every account without going crazy

You know you should have completely unique passwords for every online account, and you’re not supposed to write them down anywhere. But that’s not enough. They also have to be hard to remember.

If you’re like me, that’s just not possible because you use a lot of online services. The internet has made my life easier in so many ways, but it comes with its own risks.

So, how do you keep your online accounts safe? Many people are turning to Password Managers.

A password manager is software that stores and organizes your passwords in an encrypted state, which makes them hard to hack.

The most popular versions will fill login forms automatically. Once you’ve downloaded the software and stored your passwords, they’re fairly easy to use.

Are they safe? The experts are mixed on this point. Some feel that it’s never safe to store your passwords. Others are comfortable with the encryption used on the best versions.

My assistant swears by LastPass. It’s free for your PC, but for $12 a year, you can use it on your smartphone.

If you want to use a password manager, you can choose between a web-based or a local service. LastPass is web-based as is Dashlane and Roboform. The information is stored in the cloud so you can easily use it on all your computers and devices. Keepass and SplashID are local, meaning they’re stored on your PC.

To do your own research, check out the links below.

How do you manage your passwords? Let me know in the comments.

Stop the Unwanted Calls

Are you as annoyed by unwanted sales calls as I am? The phone rings right when I want to relax, enjoy dinner, or watch my favorite show. The phone rings again when I’m in the middle of folding clothes, vacuuming or have my hands in soapy dishwater. I answer, expecting family or friends, and hear a recorded voice – so irritating.

It’s not just my land line. It’s happening on my cell phone, too.

We’ve been on the Do Not Call list for years. Once you’re on the list for 31 days, you’re supposed to receive fewer calls, but too many telemarketing firms ignore the rules. I report those rule breakers to donotcall.gov. It’s a small act of revenge, but it makes me feel better.

I also use my telephone provider’s block list, which works great as long as I have the number of the company that called me. But, I may not have the correct number thanks to spoofing.

In fact, a telemarketer was spoofing my own 800 number! I know this because someone in California contacted me and requested to be taken off my call list. But, I don’t have a call list. I have as much business as I can handle right here in Connecticut.

To be honest, I’m not sure if they believed me. I might not have believed them if the situation were reversed. It’s not easy finding the source of unwanted calls, so I feel for them. I have tried to find the real company behind some of the most irritating robocalls (Heather at Card Services, anyone?), and got nowhere.

About those robocalls…

I just found about, and registered at NoMoRobo.com thanks to my friends at LeBlanc Communications. It’s a free service, and your phone provider must participate. We just signed up, but it seems to be working. I’ll let you know how it goes.

How do you manage unwanted calls?

It’s Time to Order Your Last Report for 2014

It’s September 2014 –
Time to Order Your Last Credit Report of the Year
This month use TransUnion

Hello, it’s Jill again, reminding you to get your finances in order for stress-free holiday celebrations.

How to Order Your Credit Report

Order your credit report from www.AnnualCreditReport.com – the ONLY authorized source your no-cost annual credit report that’s yours by law. Learn more.

When ordering online – visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com:

Select your state, then click Request Report.
Fill out your information, then click Continue.
When it asks you to select a service, select TransUnion.

Not comfortable ordering online? There are other ways to order your report:

Mail your postal order by downloading the form at www.AnnualCreditReport.com
Call in your order at

It doesn’t matter how you get your report, the most important thing is that you do! Then…

Review it for accuracy!
Follow the instructions with the report to correct any errors.
And, always remember to keep copies for your records.

Were you hoping to get your credit score instead? Try CreditKarma.com. CreditKarma does not supply a FICO score, but it does provide scores from TransUnion and VantageScore. And, there’s no charge for you. CreditKarma funds their service through website advertising.

May you have a lovely holiday season from Halloween through to New Year’s Eve and everything in between.

P.S. I’ll send you another reminder in January so you can start 2015 off right.

For the Price of a Text Book…

Some of you may know this already, but I’m taking a few classes to finish my degree. For those of you going to college, have a child in college, or about to go to college, this may help your wallet.

I have talked about the cost of text books before, but this was my first experience as an adult in today’s market.

I took a class this summer. The textbook was $60 used or $40 for a rental. Thinking I’d like to keep it for future reference, I decided to buy used. Imagine my shock when I discovered that the college bookstore didn’t carry the textbook for a class the college was offering. I had to prepay and have it ordered in.

After the class was over, I was shocked again when the bookstore wouldn’t buy it back. The college is offering the same class with the same book, so why not? Wanting to recoup some of my costs, I sold it online for $11.75 (postage was paid by the publisher).

Now I am taking my second class and that textbook was substantially more – $200 to buy new and $100 to buy used. I did my research and checked a number of websites for the best deal (remember to search by the ISBN number to get the correct edition). I decided to rent it for $40. On the first day of class, the Professor mentioned that we could have used prior editions. Knowing that ahead of time would have saved me a lot of money.

Lessons learned:

1. Don’t shop at the college book store.

2. Compare prices (new, used, or rental) from several online retailers.

3. Check for digital editions depending on your learning preference.

4. Plan ahead so you don’t have to expedite shipping. The cheaper the shipping the better the deal.

A couple of hard lessons learned that I will put to good use for the remainder of my classes. Textbooks are expensive. Learn from my mistakes to cut a nice chunk off of college costs.

Say Bon Voyage to Your Debt Part 6: Make Note of Your Successes

I keep a Gratitude Journal. Every night before bed I write down 5 things I am grateful for. Here are some financial examples from over the years:

I was able to pay more than the minimum on my credit card bill
I sold an item and put the $40 towards an extra payment on my student loan
I worked an extra hour and that money will go toward my car loan
Got a flat tire today. Was able to pay for the repair with my emergency savings and not with my credit card
The store credit card bill was lower than I expected
I paid the bill before the bill arrived

Acknowledging my successes kept me motivated. It was no small effort and I needed all the help I could get.

You are on the path to paying off your debt. This is a long journey and there will be many challenges. You may want to quit before you get there. Don’t.

Congratulate yourself for taking the first steps. Celebrate all the good work you are doing and will do. Remember to celebrate with something that isn’t going to give you more debt. For example, we love to treat ourselves with summer picnics in the park where they show free movies or concerts.

We want to hear from you! Tell us how it’s going. What you share may inspire others to keep going.

Say Bon Voyage to Your Debt Part 5: Make a Custom Plan

With Step 5, we’re going to get into the hard stuff – the actual debt payoff. If you have kept up with the series of newsletters or the Facebook group, you have completed the following:

You have reflected on the actions, inaction, thought process, or events that got you into debt.
You have “faced the truth” by compiling a complete list of your debt.
You have reflected on ways that you can find more money in your budget or bring in more income.
You have started your emergency savings plan.

With these steps in place, it’s time to create your own custom action plan for paying off the debt.

To start, you need to do some brainstorming.

Sit down with paper and pen (or at your computer) and write down your answers to this question: “What can I do today to lower my debt?” Just write the first 20 ideas that come to mind – you can worry about whether they’re even possible later.

Your list might look like this:

“What can I do today to lower my debt?”

Consolidate my credit card debt into one monthly payment
Apply for a home equity line of credit for debt consolidation
Sell home and downsize
Live frugally and only buy essentials so that I can pay off the debt faster
Stop funding my / our retirement until the debt is paid off
Apply for zero percent balance transfer to pay off debt quicker

Now, put the list away and wait a few days. Stepping back from what might be a difficult choice will help you reevaluate your priorities.

After 2 or 3 days, come back to your list and choose one. There is no right or wrong answer. Remember, you are designing a plan that tailor-made for your individual goals and needs. You have to determine what is best for you and your situation.

Now, go through the process of exploring whether that choice will work for you. You may have to contact a third party like a bank, mortgage broker, real estate agent, etc. You may have to look for zero percent balance transfer offers. You may have to get the whole family on board to see if they can live on a smaller budget. If it all works out, then you can start your plan. If not, go back to your list, choose another option, and explore it thoroughly.

Because you didn’t accumulate your debt overnight, it won’t be going away overnight either. You will make your choice (you can try many choices on the list), and you may need to follow through on it for over a year or for several years.

This whole process is definitely worth your while, because you will gain control over your finances. You will stop working just to pay your creditors, and actually save money as you eliminate the finance charges you’ve been paying.

Yes, I know (and have been there) that these are hard choices to make. But if I can do it so can you.

Get the e-Book for $14.95

Praise for Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances In Five Minutes a Day

Links for Research

It’s September 2014 – Time to Order Your Last Credit Report of the Year This month use TransUnion

It’s September 2014 –
Time to Order Your Last Credit Report of the Year
This month use TransUnion