NAFE News & Notes

Network News

Brandywine Valley Professional Women's Book ClubAnnemarie Kelly and the Brandywine Valley Professional Women's Book Club invite you to “join us for smart conversation and an easy way to network with other working women. In addition, the food is good and we have a private meeting room, which facilitates our rich conversation.” Contact Annemarie at 610.738.8225, annmarie@victoriouswoman.com for information on the group’s next get-together. Photo from a recent meeting includes (left to right) Stephanie Krzywanski, Carla Wilson, Annmarie Kelly.

Greater Washington Women’s NetworkWashington D.C.’s NAFE affiliate – Greater Washington Women’s Network (GWWN) – hosted its 6th Annual Leadership and Award Program on June 11, honoring an impressive group of people and their outstanding achievements. The event was held at Charles Sumner School Museum. Mistress of Ceremonies was Kathy Park, a reporter for WJLA/NewsChannel 8. Keynote speaker Nicole E. Cozier, Philanthropic Education Officer at Washington Area Women’s Foundation, spoke on the topic “Transforming Knowledge into Leadership.”

Introductory NAFE Meeting: New York Metro Area. NAFE members in the New York City area (including the five boroughs, New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester and beyond) are invited to a get-together on July 21st from 5:30-6:30 PM at the Sheraton New York in midtown Manhattan.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the formation of one or more local NAFE affiliates in the tri-state area. If you’re interested in joining -- or starting -- a NAFE network, come to this gathering and meet other like-minded women. For more information, contact Jill Raufman at jill.raufman@nafe.com. Please RSVP today!

Announcements and Opportunities

Community Grant Program. Grants up to $5,000 will be made to groups to working to improve their communities in locations where newspaper giant Gannett is present. Application deadline: August 17, 2009.

Entrepreneurial Ideas. On the MySmallBiz.com website, you’ll find tons of ideas for starting your own business. Classified by useful categories like Low Cost, Online, Part Time, etc., the site discusses business possibilities from gift wrapping to crime scene clean-up – and a host of other suggestions for anyone thinking of a new career or second-income potential.

Whirlpool Discounts for NAFE MembersNAFE Discount on Whirlpool Products. Through a special arrangement with Whirlpool, NAFE members can reap big savings on Whirlpool appliances, accessories and other Whirlpool items. You and your family can purchase up to 12 products a year under the VIPLINK program and get substantial savings. Just click on the Whirlpool banner at the top of nafe.com.

Want to promote your business? For NAFE members – for a limited time only – a banner or skyscraper ad in one issue of NAFE News & Noteswill cost you just $75.00. (Regular rate is $150.00.) Contact newsletter editor Paula Damiano to place your ad.|

5 Tips for a Healthier Credit Score
by Paula Damiano

Credit ratings are big news these days, as lenders are making more careful decisions – and consumers are more wary of identity theft and other threats to their financial history. But what can you do? Is it really possible to influence your score?

These tips, based on advice from The Federal Reserve Board, will help you in your quest for more perfect credit. The Fed’s website also offers many useful consumer resources, like a credit card repayment calculator and tips for avoiding foreclosure scams.

Here’s how to incorporate big change in your own life via small, simple steps:

Check the NAFE Calendar of Events for network meetings, workshops and other happenings around the country.

Join the NAFE communtity by reading our blogs, commenting on them - or even writing one yourself.
JandF

WORDS TO WORK BY

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1. Know your credit rating. Federal law allows you one free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). Although many companies offer to provide the reports, there are often fees and attempts to sell you extended reporting services. There is only one government-approved source of free credit reports. You can request yours through this website: www.annualcreditreport.com. You can also request it by calling 877-322-8228 or by printing and completing the form here and mailing it to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
2. Understand how credit scores are computed. There are a number of factors in the equation, but the basic considerations are whether you pay bills in a timely manner; how much total credit you have and how long you’ve had it; and how many recent requests you’ve made for new credit (credit card, mortgage, auto loan, etc.).
3. Pay your bills on time! This may be obvious – until you read the sales pitches from many credit repair services that seem to promise good scores even to the most confirmed deadbeat. Set up reminders for yourself. Create automatic payments, if you’re comfortable with that option. Paying your bills on time is a requirement for good credit health – no way around it!
4. Learn how to correct errors in your report. The publication Building a Better Credit Report by the Federal Trade Commission explains what you can do to correct errors, avoid scams and other useful information.
5. Speaking of scams. If you’re already in debt, should you spend money to try and fix your score? Perhaps that money would be better spent paying down existing bills. In any case, don’t be a victim of an illegal or unnecessary credit-repair scheme. Read Credit Repair: How to Help Yourself, also written by the Federal Trade Commission.

Upcoming Events

For a complete list of events, see our online Calendar!

Stevenson Ranch, CA
July 16, 2009
Connie Sparks and The Wade Institute invite you to a day-long Women’s Independence Fair to explore “business women supporting other women seeking a new career and residual income.” Full details are available here.

Philadelphia, PA
June 24, 2009
You’re invited to NAFE Philadelphia’s next meeting, with the theme: “Your Greatest Asset is You!” Contact Alexandra Townsend at 215-790-2530, atownsend@rittenhousehotel.com for more information – or check out the event listing on nafe.com here.