Fico Scoring Basics

FICO scoring originated from the Fair Isaac Company. The Fair Isaac company invented the current credit scoring system that turns of all of your credit information into a personal credit score. Today lenders still use this credit scoring system to determine credit risk.

The term FICO scoring means, a credit score based on the Fair, Isaac Company or FICO model. It's important to know your current credit or FICO score and it's also important to have an understanding of how FICO score is determined.

FICO scoring is used by lenders to figure out what your interest rate will be on loans you apply for. If you're buying a house the types of mortgages available to you are based on your personal credit score.

That score is based on the FICO model and the interest you pay as well as your monthly payment is based on what your personal credit score number is.

The same is true when you get a car loan, as well as the premium on your car or homeowners insurance. Your personal credit score can even affect your chances of getting new employment.

FICO scoring is calculated from a multitude of different credit data and it is grouped into five different categories.

So that you will understand the basics of how FICO score is determined the percentages below reflect how important each of the categories is in determining your personal credit score.

Payment history (35%)
Your payment history is the largest factor in determining FICO scoring. This includes the number of unpaid bills you have, any bills sent to collection, bankruptcies etc. The more recent the problem, the lower your score.

Outstanding Debt (30%)
How much of the total credit line is being used on credit cards and other revolving charges? High balances or more precisely, balances that are close to your credit limit can negatively affect your credit score. Most lenders think 40%-60% of maximum is ideal.

Length of your credit history (15%)
How long have your accounts been open? High loan amounts that you have paid as agreed and have had open a long time work best. Closing old accounts can have a negative affect because it makes your credit history appear shorter.

Recent inquiries (10%)
Every time you apply for any kind of credit of you create an inquiry on your credit report. A lot of inquiries negatively affect your credit score. However, ordering a copy and checking your own credit report or personal credit score counts as a soft inquiry and does not go against your score.

Types of credit in use (10%)
How much is still owed on current mortgage loans, credit cards and finance companies compared with the original loan amounts? Also it's important not to open a number of new credit cards just to increase your available credit. It will have the opposite affect and lower your score.

FICO scoring is based on all the categories of information, not just one or two. Lenders on the other hand will look at a lot of things when they make a credit decision. Your income, how long you have worked at your present job and the kind of credit you are requesting will always be a factor.

There are many things that will affect your financial future and FICO scoring plays a big role in how successful your future will be.

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Weight Loss Success

Weight loss success depends on staying inspired and giving your weigh loss plan a tune-up. Drinking more water and eating smaller portions are effective but boring. Here are a few calorie cutting tricks that should help you lose that weight and keep the boredom away.

Weight loss success first of all depends on your attitude. Staying inspired just takes a little creativity and some diet strategy to keeping your mind and body motivated.

It takes your brain about 20 minutes to register that you are full. Try eating nuts that require cracking or grapefruit that must be peeled and sectioned to slow down your eating process.

Think of your weight loss diet plan as a way of eating more veggies that can in turn create a waistline friendly result that will make you smile.

Have an appetizer before your meal but be sure it is low-calorie and contains a lot of water (like soup) or fiber (like salad). This will help you eat less over all but choose carefully and beware of those cheese and high-fat dressings.

Try something exotic once a week. Something that is not familiar to you. Maybe a guava (112 calories per cup) or jicama (49 calories per cup). People don’t tend to over eat unfamiliar foods.

As you begin, taste and savor every bite. The slower eating experience will reacquaint you with the pleasure of eating, which is important when you’re consuming less.

Downsize your plates and bowls. By eating on smaller dishes it may help you consume less food. Researchers from Cornell University served snack mix in two different size bowls. A large one and a smaller one. The study showed that subjects took 53 percent more snack mix from the larger bowl.

In a second study at the University of Illinois at Urbana, juice was served in two different size glasses. One was short and wide and the other tall and skinny. Both glasses held the same amount of juice but the subjects who drank from the tall and skinny ones (which looked larger) poured themselves less juice.

Balance every meal with a serving of vegetables. They tend to fill you up so you don’t tend to go back for second helpings.

And last but not least make an accomplishment list at the end of each day. It will help you track what is and isn’t working in your diet. It will also help to acknowledge each success and will eventually lead to more.

With a little planning, choosing the right foods and becoming aware of portion sizes you can obtain the weight loss success you desire. Remember anything is possible if you believe.

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Summer Skin Tips

Once again, winter has faded into Spring and Spring has burst into Summer along with Summer skin. Next comes the invincible Summer sun, your skin's arch-enemy, particularly if you play or exercise outdoors.

Most people know that using sunscreen protection is essential. There are a number of ways to promote a healthy glow without exposing your skin to harmful rays. To help avoid Summer skin when playing or exercising outdoors on a hot, sunny day here are a few tips.

Lightweight and light colored clothing combined with plenty of sunscreen protection on exposed and unexposed skin is a good way to protect yourself.

If overheating isn't a concern, dark colored, tightly woven clothing is more effective at blocking UV rays. Light colored clothing lets the sun and UV rays reach the skin more easily.

Another barrier against sun damage comes in the form of eyewear. Protect not only your eyes, but also the skin around them by wearing sunglasses that block 90 percent to 100 percent of the sun's UV rays.

Always wear a hat. Though a cap may be more comfortable for jogging, try a wide brimmed hat that will shade your neck and face while gardening or walking outside.

Now that you know how to protect the skin's surface, it's time to start thinking about what you can do to make a healthy glow from the inside out. You're already off to a good start with some form of exercise, which gets the blood circulating and delivers fresh oxygen to the skin all over your body.

The next step is to drink plenty of water. Outdoor play or exercise, especially in the Summer, increases your risk of dehydration. This is one risk you don't want to take since it not only affects your performance and robs your skin of vitality, but also may be potentially hazardous to your health.

Be sure to drink fluids before, during and after physical activity. To replenish your fluids after any outdoor activity, weigh yourself before you participate and then weigh again after. Any weight you lost is water and should be replaced by drinking two glasses (16 ounces) of water for every pound you have lost.

Summer is a time for sun, fun and physical activity. Sipping on a cool drink, participating in your favorite activity and enjoying the long days of summer. No matter what you like to do, with a little insight and these few tips you can help alleviate the effects of Summer skin and make your Summer one you will enjoy.


Top brands of sunscreen protection from




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How Does A Firewall Work?

You may have heard the term firewall before but have you ever wondered how does a firewall work and why do I need one? A computer firewall protects your computer by putting up a barrier to keep anyone from accessing your files when you are surfing the Internet.

Once a hacker get access to your files malicious codes spread through your computer retrieving your personal information that the hacker can use to steal your identity or charge items with your credit card numbers. So how does a firewall work?

A firewall not only stops this from happening but keeps the malicious file out of your computer so it can't spread to your other files. That's why it's called a firewall because its job is similar to a firewall that keeps a fire from spreading from one area to the next.

If a hacker tries to invade your computer files to get your passwords and credit card numbers you've used for online purchases he simply can't get access. Computer firewall software will allow good data in but blocks all bad data from entering your computer.

Good data is when you are surfing the Internet, visiting web sites, downloading photos or data files. But bad data, like hacker programs, or anything that spies on your Internet habits without your knowledge is not allowed.

When computer firewall protection is enabled, everything that goes in and out of your computer is monitored. With the amount of malicious programs on the Internet today it's also a way to prevent spyware and adware from getting into your computer.

Many people think that the anti-virus software that came with their computer protects them from hackers. While it's important to keep anti-virus software updated for viruses it does nothing to secure your computer against direct hacker attacks.

Whether you have a dial-up, cable, broadband or DSL connection, every minute that your computer is connected to the Internet, it is at risk. Hackers are looking to do you harm and even steal your identity. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes today.

One of the most effective ways to guard your personal information and keep these criminals away from your sensitive passwords and credit card numbers is the use of computer firewall protection .

You'll hear the term firewall used a lot in the near future because these problems are growing at an alarming rate on the Internet. You'll probably also hear other people ask, how does a firewall work and why do I need one? But now you'll know the answer.

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Tazo Tea Company

In 1994, the Tazo Tea Company was founded by Steven Smith after 27 years experience in the tea business. Tazo was created to reinvent the tea experience. Tazo uses quality ingredients to produce an exotic array of imaginative flavors.

Tazo Tea Company continues to expose consumers to ancient traditions of tea by presenting them in a bold, interesting and intriguing way. Steven Smith draws on his experience, creative inspiration and vast knowledge of teas and herbs to create a new level of quality.

They are over 80 unique tea, fruit and herb concoctions that make Tazo one of the most innovative tea brands in the world. It is with this combination of quality teas and botanicals and a controlled blending process that Tazo delivers the best tasting product possible.

Steven Smith, the founder of Tazo Tea Company, is passionate about his tea making and believes that freshness and quality are the most important ingredients in blending tea.

He knows what flavors that each blend will produce from his vast knowledge of black, green teas and botanicals. These teas combined with special spices are a result of his keen sense of taste and smell.

There are many varieties of teas and each is named for the district in which it is grown. All teas could come from the same bush but how they are processed is what makes them different.

Black teas are fully fermented and contain caffeine. Premium black teas are grown at high elevations for the best flavor. Their characteristics are a malty rich flavor and amber color.

Green teas are unfermented but often contain as much caffeine as black teas. They usually have a mild delicate taste and maintain a natural color.

Oolong teas are a combination between black and green teas and contain caffeine. They are fermented but not as much as the black tea. They usually have a fruity flavor and a golden color.

Herbal teas actually don't contain any tea at all and don't contain caffeine. They are blends of flowers, roots, berries, fruit peels and seeds. For centuries the benefits of herbal tea has been used to enhance health and well being.

The name Tazo has roots in many civilizations. It has been known to mean "fresh" in several Hindi dialects. It was used as a toast to life by ancient Greeks. To the Roman Gypsy's it meant "river of life".

Tazo Tea Company produces a unique product that creates an emotional connection with the consumer at many levels and is blended with an artistry that borders on magical.

Experience an exotic array of imaginative flavors from Tazo Tea Company



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