Keeping Tabs On Your Credit Score…

There is no question that the current state of the economy could be better than it is. For that reason, it’s more important than ever to have your credit rating under control. If you think your score is too low, then you need to do something about it now. However, if you have tried to improve or correct your score in the past, you know it isn’t always the easy, quick or stress-free.

While a lot of people know they have a credit score, and some know exactly what their number is, what a lot of people don’t know is that there are three separate agencies that do credit reports. These companies are Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. To make things a little more more straightforward, each of these three agencies will often have different scores for you. The reason for this is that they don’t always collect the exact same information as not all creditors report to all three agencies.

As mentioned earlier, the economy is not in great shape and because of this lenders are setting higher standards before giving out loans. However, the better your credit score, the better your chance of getting a loan, and getting a loan with the best terms. Experian uses the Fair Issac scoring method, TransUnion uses what they call the Empirica score, and Equifax uses the Beacon score. So, when people talk about their credit score, they are referring to the number provided by one of these three companies. It is also possible to have a combined credit score which is the average of all three agency’s numbers. Regardless of the company, your credit score is nothing more than an attempt to objectively rank your creditworthiness.

As mentioned, part of the reason for the difference in each company’s score is that they don’t all get the exact same information. The chances of them having differing scores goes up as you have more creditors for them to get their information from (or not get it from). There is another aspect to the difference in scores, as well, and that is that they each have their own formula for calculating their scores. While this usually doesn’t make that much of a difference, it could have a negative impact if one of the three agencies has inaccurate information that lowers your score.

So, how do you get your credit score? There are a few basic ways, and it’s a good idea to do so before you get a loan so you know where you stand before going into it. If you want your Beacon score, then you can go to the Equifax website and pay to get it. You can follow the same basic process to get your report from the other credit reporting agencies, too. If you don’t want to pay to see your credit report, you can, by law, get a free report from all three agencies once a year at http://www.annualcreditreport.com.

Being able to actually see your full credit report from all three agencies gives you an opportunity to see if there are any mistakes or discrepancies on your report. If there are, you can send a correction to the agency. They will then place a note on your file, and update it if they can confirm that the information was inaccurate. Doing this puts the power of your financial future back where it belongs…in your hands.

Solar Power for Homes and its Benefits…

Modern technology can do a lot of great things. One is the use of solar power for homes. Did you know that you can enjoy many benefits from using solar power? Solar panels can now be created at home by simply following comprehensible do-it-yourself instructions. Building power systems is no longer very expensive these days and it’s also not as hard as you think.

With the increasing demand for solar powered homes, you can now find a wide range of DIY projects in the market. The reasons why many homeowners are now choosing solar power for their homes is because they want to help in the persistent global warming crisis and electric bills cost a lot these days.

The electricity supplied in modern homes usually comes from different power plants. These power plants use fossil fuels and so the electric charges are greatly dependent on the prices of natural gases and crude oil. Fossil fuels are also depleting. There is a high demand for electricity but the resources have decreased greatly. In this kind of situation, the electrical costs will still continue to increase. The solar power for homes is an excellent answer to the problem.

By using fossil fuels, the problem with global warming will become worse. Harmful gases are emitted by the fossil fuels to produce electricity. If you don’t want to contribute to the environmental problems any further, why not use solar power for your home now?

Several years ago, the solar cells were really expensive and inefficient. Back then the solar cells were quite inefficient since they can’t convert 100% of the rays of the sun into electricity. Most solar cells can convert only 10-25%. In the year 2003, a new product was introduced and it was called photovoltaic cell. The new cell can convert 36% of the rays into usable electricity. The cells were also affordable. The modern sunlight technology is now widely available and even ordinary homeowners can take advantage of it.

The solar power kits are available worldwide. You can purchase them in online stores or you can also shop around in local stores. If you’re unsure, it would be best to shop online. There you can find several reputable sellers and manufacturers of solar power kits.

The solar power kits provide step by step instructions on how to assemble the different materials. Hardware stores usually sell the different parts of the solar power system. If create your own solar power system, you will only spend about $200 and it already includes the guide. With such a small investment, you can already benefit from solar power for many years. You’re not only saving money but you’re also helping in saving the planet.

Renewable and clean energy sources are in great demand these days. The homes of the future are now possible in today’s modern world. You can start with small projects and work your way up. For instance, you can first work on the outdoor lighting first and if it proves to be beneficial, you can do another project.

Don’t cut off the existing electrical supply especially if this is your first time to do solar power projects. Just use it as a supplement so that you can lessen your electricity consumption. Start with your DIY solar power project and light your home using the sun’s energy.

Solar Power or the Use of Generators…

Every year, the environmental problems are getting worse. Global warming, pollution, and other concerns are now very evident. Many environmentalists are now taking an active part in the hope of saving the world before it’s too late. One way to effectively address such problems is by using solar power. With many households and establishments using generators to back up their power supply, which do you think is the best choice?

Power failure happens in the most unexpected hours and so having a generator can provide the needed power. The portable generators are widely used and you can even find large generators that provide emergency power. If you want to help in reducing pollution and other environmental problems, why don’t you opt for solar power instead?

The initial cost is a very important consideration but you will also need to look in the benefits that you can gain the future. Installing a viable solar power system can be quite expensive than just purchasing a portable generator. However, once you’ve installed the power system, you can already enjoy free unlimited power supply. Maintenance is minimal and you will not spend huge money on it. You don’t need to buy fuel just to run the system because the energy of the sun fuels the solar power system. In a portable generator, you will need to buy fuel to run it and so you will continue to spend money to enjoy power supply.

Generators can be purchased easily, online or locally, and so it’s quite convenient to obtain them. On the other hand, solar power is not that convenient to install and purchase as well. The market for solar power is rather small but because of the technological advancements, the market will soon grow. Today, the best way to obtain solar power kits is through the internet. Anyone can settle for a little bit of inconvenience especially if huge benefits are involved. Besides, after the installation of the solar power system, you don’t need to monitor it often unlike in generators where you will refill the fuel, change the oil and filter, and two times servicing in a year. The solar power system can last for twenty years even with minimal maintenance.

Both solar power and portable generators are efficient. However, when it comes to cost-efficiency, solar power is ahead. As long as the sun shines, energy can be generated. The system can also store energy so that it can be used at night or during rainy days. In a generator, you will need to re-fuel from time to time. You will need to pay for the fuel every time. Sunlight is free but fuel is not and so the cost efficient option is very obvious.

In terms of dependability, solar power and generators are almost the same. Solar power is best used in places where there is bright sunlight all throughout the year. If the period of bad weather is lengthy, all the stored power can be consumed. Generators can be used whether it’s sunny or rainy but the problem lies with the source of fuel. If you can’t refuel the generator, it will not work.

It’s your choice whether you will use solar power or a portable generator. It all depends on your capacity to pay for the device. You can further evaluate these two by reading this article carefully.

Solar Power – A Must for Homes…

‘Going green’ is the trend these days since the world is facing a lot of environmental problems specifically global warming. Electricity comes from fossil fuels which are being burned. The emissions contribute a lot to global warming and one way to address this issue is by using solar power for homes. Even the federal and state governments are now encouraging many homeowners to utilize solar power by offering grants and loans. Solar power is a must for homes and it is not just for the rich people.

Are you familiar with DIY solar power kits? The DIY kits are widely available in online stores and perhaps in local stores. All you need to do is shop around and find a suitable system that can work for your home.

Why is the solar power system a must for homes?

As mentioned earlier, the government is also supporting green energy through grants and loans. Aside from that, there are also incentives. For instance, if you spend around $20,000 on system installation, the state government will give you a 30% credit. This means that your next tax bill will decrease by 30% of $20,000 which is $6,000. The credit can also be extended to the following year as long as the amount is covered fully.

Once you install the system, it requires minimum maintenance. Make sure that you also clean and clear it properly. You can consult a professional who knows a great deal about solar power systems and have yours checked annually. Most homeowners do little work on their systems and this is a great advantage.

Sunlight is available for all and since fossil fuels are depleting, it is an excellent option. If you install a system for your home, you will simply need to invest once and after that, you can now benefit as long as the system is working properly. Your electricity bills will surely be reduced and so you will have smaller bills every month. You can use the solar power system for your outdoor lights, garden lights and features, and even for indoor use as long as the inverter is big enough.

Solar panels are one of the most popular solar power systems used today. If blackouts are quite common in your area, it would really help a lot if you install solar power. That way, even if other homes don’t have electricity, your home can still have electricity. Solar panels are reliable as well as the other systems available today. Most manufacturers also provide warranty and so you can expect the solar panels to be durable. You won’t hear any noise since the panels are working quietly while producing the needed energy.

Electrocution cases are rare since the photovoltaic cells have low amperage and are very safe. Power is produced without emissions or fuel combustions.

Most of all, with solar power systems, you can help in saving the environment. You can help in decreasing pollution and the degradation of the environment. The power systems can last for decades with proper maintenance and care. If you’re interested to go green, don’t hesitate to install a solar power system for your home. This is the best time to make a choice – a choice that can have a significant impact to the world. After installation of the system, you can now enjoy a continuous supply of green electricity.

Which Materials Are and Aren’t Biodegradable?…

One of the biggest things to consider in building a green patio is biodegradability. Will the materials you use ultimately be broken down by nature? Or will they sit in a landfill for decades, taking up space?

It’s unfortunate, but most materials used in today’s buildings are not biodegradable. By paying conscious attention to what your deck is made of, you can help reverse this trend.

==> The Number One Biodegradable Material

The number one biodegradable material in building a patio is wood. Wood is completely biodegradable and can be turned by nature back into nutrients that can feed the growth of other plants and animals.

The downside to using wood is that a tree has to be cut down. To compensate for that, make sure you buy from Forest Stewardship Counsel (FSC) certified wood. That’ll help ensure that the wood you’re using is not only biodegradable, but also sustainable.

==> Wood Plastic Composites

Wood plastic composites are unfortunately not biodegradable. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use them, however.

These materials are generally made from at least 40% recycled materials. They crack and warp less than wood and never have to be repainted.

In other words, their environmental footprint can be lower than wood, even if they’re not biodegradable.

==> Most Chemicals

Most chemicals, like detergents for cleaning your deck, paint, sealants and so on are not biodegradable. In fact, most complex chemicals are not biodegradable.

On top of the chemicals not being biodegradable, most of the containers that these chemicals come in also aren’t biodegradable. That means that the metal paint bucket and the plastic spray bottle will both end up in a landfill somewhere.

The solution? Use eco-friendly and green chemicals in the construction and maintenance of your patio. These green companies usually take extra care to make sure their chemicals are biodegradable. Furthermore, the containers that make up green chemicals are also biodegradable.

==> Patio Furniture

There are many different kinds of patio furniture.

Wood patio furniture is naturally biodegradable. If you choose to go the wood route, make sure to use a weather resistant wood like teak or cedar.

Another option is to use recycled plastic. Recycled plastic is not biodegradable, but it does support the recycling industry.

You can also buy furniture made from “plant based” plastics. These are plastics that are 100% biodegradable. They’re sturdy enough to withstand different climates, but are quite a bit pricier than standard plastics.

Finally, you’ve got everything else – metal, regular plastics, PVC and the like. These are by and large all not biodegradable.

These are some of the most common materials you’ll find when you’re building your patio. By choosing biodegradable materials today, you’ll ensure that your environmental footprint is small not only now, but also thirty years from today.

DIY Solar Panels – Overview of the Buying & Construction Process…

Building and installing your own solar panel can help you save a lot of money on electricity, without extravagant upfront costs. Getting a solar panel installed professionally will usually cost you five figures. Doing it yourself, however, can cost just a few hundred.

Here’s an overview of how the buying and construction process works.

==> Buying the Solar Cells

There are a few ways you can buy solar cells. You can buy them as part of a group, in which case you’ll be able to buy from a wholesaler directly. Though this is perhaps the cheapest way to do it, it’s much more difficult to organize.

The easiest way to buy solar cells is to use eBay. EBay has several sellers providing solar cells, which means the competition keeps the price down to inexpensive levels.

==> Constructing the Solar Panel

A solar panel is basically a series of solar cells joined together. The electricity generated from the cells flows together until there’s enough electricity generated for actual use.

To construct the panel, you need a wooden container of some sort to put the cells in. You need wire cutters, strippers and soldering equipment.

All you need to do is wire the cells together to create a panel. You might also want to install a diode to make sure that energy doesn’t flow from the battery back into the panel when sunlight isn’t hitting the panel.

==> Inverters and Batteries

Energy generated from a solar panel comes in the form of direct current (DC) power. However, in order for your home electronics to be able to use the power, you need the energy to be in alternating current (AC).

Also, unless you plan on immediately using the energy generated by your solar panel in your home, you’ll probably want a battery so you can store the energy.

Inverters and batteries can cost quite a bit of money. Again, eBay can come in handy when acquiring low-cost or second-hand supplies.

==> Passing Inspections

The final step to installing your solar panel is passing inspections.

While it’s possible to create a solar panel and run it without passing inspections, you’re leaving a lot on the table.

First of all, you can’t qualify for the many tax incentives that come with owning a solar panel if you don’t pass an inspection.

You also can’t wire your solar panel to the grid without passing inspection. If you get permission to attach your panel to the grid, you can “sell” energy to the grid and actually have your electric meter flow backwards while your panels produce energy that you aren’t using.

That’s a basic overview of the entire buying and construction process. Building your own solar panels takes a lot of dedication, but the process can be immensely fun and save you a lot of money at the end of the day.

White Water Rafting – Preserve Your Experiences…

White water rafting is simply a blast and a great way to get away from the clutter of life. Alas, your rafting experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a white water rafting journal.

White Water Rafting Journals

Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent rafting trip. What sticks out in your mind? Where the rapids raging, the water low or somebody hilariously falling out of the boat? Now think about the first time you ever went white water rafting. I bet you can’t remember much about the trip besides a few snippets. The experiences you’ve forgotten are lost to time. If you keep a white water rafting journal, this won’t be the case.

There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time. Of course, Anne Frank’s Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your white water rafting experiences better be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will let you remember them as the years pass.

A good white water rafting journal combines a number of characteristics. First, it should be compact. Second, it should have a case to protect it from getting wet and turned to mulch. Third, the journal should contain blank areas to write your notes. Fourth, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind you to keep notes on specific things.

Cues should include:

1. Who you went white water rafting with

2. Where you went rafting and the time of year
3. Who you met and contact information for them
4. The river and weather conditions

5. How challenging the river was, and

6. Any events that occurred while off the river

At the end of the rafting trip, you should be able to get the following from your journal:

1. Contact information for other rafters you met
2. Details of the trip, whether you would go again and perhaps better times to do so
3. Memories to reflect upon years later
4. Something to pass on to your friends, children and grandchildren

To get the most out of your white water rafting journal, you should write in it just before you start, during breaks such as lunch and when you return. If you go with friends or your family, the journal will turn into a keepsake for the family.

During family events such as the holidays, it makes for great reading. As you grow older [and we all do], the journal will make great fodder for reflection.

White water rafting is a blast that shouldn’t fade with time. Make sure to preserve the experience with your white water rafting journal.

Three Tips for Building an Eco-Friendly Deck…

Building an eco-friendly deck is a huge undertaking. From concept to completion involves many steps, putting together many different components and using building materials that you might not be familiar with.

Here are three tips to help make the process easier.

==> Do All Your Research Up Front

Try to do as much research as you can up front. Research the kinds of materials you want to use, your lighting, your furniture and so on all at once.

If you do it as you go, you’ll find that you’ll continually have to stop to look things up. The finished project also won’t fit together as well.

Instead, figure out exactly what you want to make your patio with before you start. Figure out where you plan to buy everything.

Do you plan on buying them locally from a hardware store that stocks green supplies? Or would you rather order them online?

If you’re buying locally, can you figure out what brands they carry? If so, research those brands to see what kind of reputation they have before making a purchase.

==> Use Certified Wood or Wood Plastic Composites

There are primarily two choices for the eco-friendly deck builder: certified wood and wood plastic composites.

Certified wood is wood where its production has been approved by the Forest Stewardship Counsel (FSC), an internationally recognized organization dedicated to the preservation of forests.

The FSC regulates how much cutting can be done in various parts of the world without deforestation. They ensure that new trees are being planted and that wood cutting is being done in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Wood plastic composites are materials made from both wood and plastic, generally with at least 40% of it being made from recycled materials.

Composites are extremely durable and can resist rain, pests like termites, mold and more. They’re very affordable, come in many different shapes and sizes and in just about every color you can imagine.

==> Find Green Components for Everything

Just about everything that goes into building a deck can tap into the green industry.

For lighting, try going with solar lights. Not only do they save you energy, but they’re also easier to set up. You don’t need to set up any special wiring, just put the solar lights in the sun to gather power.

For furniture, you can purchase green furniture made from FSC wood or from 100% recycled plastics.

Even the chemicals used in the building process can be green. You can use green paint and green sealants to make almost everything on your deck green.

Building a green deck requires a large amount of dedication and research. Most decks on your neighborhood probably aren’t very green and contribute to deforestation and other environmental hazards. By building a green deck, you’ll set an example for others while helping move the green industry forward.

Go Green with Bicycles and Public Transportation…

One of the best ways to go green is to change your modes of transportation. Driving a car creates pollution, supports the toxic gas industry, congests roads and all in all adds to the environmental problems of the world.

These are some of the many benefits of going green with your transportation, along with a few tips for making the transition.

==> Decreased Congestion Means Less Gas

The more cars we take off the road, the less congested the roads will be. The less congested the roads are, the less gas each individual car will consume.

Not only are you lowering your gas consumption by not driving a car, you’re also making other cars on the road more fuel efficient by not driving.

==> Voting with Your Wallet

It’s one thing to say you support environmentalism. It’s another thing to vote with your wallet.

When you stop spending money on gas-guzzling vehicles, you take your vote out of the automobile industry. You’re also increasing the amount of money public transit is earning, which in time translates to better, more fuel efficient public transportation systems.

==> Get Exercise without Trying

A lot of people have a hard time regularly scheduling exercise into their daily routines.

Getting in the habit of riding a bicycle or public transportation makes it easy to get your exercise in every day. You’re either walking or cycling or both.

==> Save a Lot of Money

Driving a car costs a lot of money. You have your gas costs, which can add up to hundreds of dollars a month. In addition you have automotive repair and maintenance, which can also add up to a lot of money every year.

That’s not even taking into account the actual cost of the car. Generally you’re spending several hundred dollars a month on a car loan or lease. If you’re buying a car outright, you’re tying up tens of thousands of dollars of your net worth.

All in all, not owning a car can save you a bucket of money.

==> Tips for Making the Transition

The most important thing for making the transition smoothly is to plan how you need to get to the various places in your life before you make the switch.

If you already know how to get everywhere you want to get and how long it’ll take, that’ll take a lot of the difficulty out of the picture.

Learn to use Google Maps or a smartphone app to check bus routes and public transportation routes for areas that you’re not familiar with traveling to.

For the first couple weeks, leave a little earlier than you think you need to so you can get used to the system while still being on time.

Going green with your transportation allows you to save money, reduce the world’s pollution, help improve public transportation and even get some exercise.

Frugal and Green – How Going Green Can Save You Money…

There are all kinds of ways to save money while going green. In fact, regardless of which is your primary goal (going green or saving money), you will find they complement each other nicely. Here are some ways that going green can save you money.

Household Cleaners

If you ever stop to add it all up, you probably spend a significant amount of money on household cleaners, from toilet bowl cleaner to sink scrubber. There are concerns that the chemicals used in many of these cleaners are unhealthy, and, in the case of bleach and other substances, potentially carcinogenic.

As you green your lifestyle, it only makes sense to stop buying and using commercial household cleaners. You can make your own natural cleaners for a fraction of the cost, thus saving money and being green.

For example, baking soda made into a paste with water makes a good sink and bathtub scrubber, and can even be used to clean an oven. Combined with borax, a little liquid soap, and peppermint essential oil, baking soda becomes a cream scrubber.

Inexpensive white vinegar and water make a good floor cleaner for hardwood. Add a little lavender essential oil to the vinegar and water and wash your windows.

Personal Care Products

Beauty products can cost a great deal of money, and some of the ingredients are dubious. In fact, substances like parabens, found in many cosmetics, have been implicated in cancer. It’s considered green to use natural personal care products, but that can be even pricier. Making your own is far less expensive and just as natural and healthy.

For a creamy, moisturizing cleanser for your face, mix 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt with 1/2 teaspoon sweet almond oil and 1/2 teaspoon honey. To make an exfoliating cleanser, add ground, dried beans, ground nuts, or sugar.

Instead of spending a lot of money on shampoos and conditioners, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a cupful of warm water and pour that over your head as a shampoo. Apple cider vinegar (2 teaspoons per cup of warm water) makes an effective conditioner.

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