The library isn’t a brick and mortar version of Amazon filled with out-of-print books.

And it doesn’t exist for the sole purpose of housing the complete series of Lost.

If you read any version of the countless, generic 99 Ways to Save articles, you’d think the library is some old throwaway. A place you borrow books and DVDs from after you’re knee deep in financial doo-doo.

Well, I’m standing up for the library. You people don’t give it enough credit. It is truly, frickin’ awesome.

Until recently, I also undervalued my local library.

After going there almost every day for the past six weeks, I finally noticed the variety of free offerings available. Actually, they’re not free, but, whether you like it or not, they are funded with your tax dollars.

Because libraries are locally run, the extent of products and services provided vary.

Audiobooks and eBooks: Even though my library has some pretty sweet books on CDs, I gotta be mobile. Which is why I appreciate its wide selection of iPod / iPad / Kindle compatible digital media. Similar to traditional books, a limited number of electronic copies are available for checkout at any one time. No biggie. Place the item on hold, and borrow it when it’s “returned.”

Free Books: Not to rent, but to own. A few years ago, I grabbed a copy of Your Money or Your Life from the rinkydink library around the corner from my place. I picked it up, walked out, ain’t say nothin’ to nobody. I didn’t need too. It was there for the taking. Ask your librarian where they’re hiding the free book stash if you have trouble finding it.

Wireless Internet: In the event this whole quit-my-job, become-a-superstar thing doesn’t pan out, I’m not going back to work. I’ll sell my wares and live in the library. It has clean drinking water, a community garden, and free internets. What more do you need? The only thing left to worry about is how to catch a nap without stoking the security guard’s ire. That guy derives way too much pleasure from startling college students and homeless people awake.

24/7 Access to Premium Subscriptions: There are so many amazing options. It breaks my heart that I can’t list them all without putting you to sleep. I’ll give you five, but see what else your library has by exploring its website.

• Consumer Reports
• Learning Express Library
• MorningStar Investment Research Center
• Mango Languages
• ProQuest

Meeting Rooms: Many libraries let you book study rooms for two or more individuals. If you need an area that seats considerably larger groups, you may be able to find one at a nearby branch. Your meetings have to be free and open to the public. That means you can’t use the library to hold your pricey Road to Real Estate Riches boot camp. But still, a no cost, high quality seminar could be a great way to get the word out about your services.

Educational Workshops: This is one of my favorites. Primarily because you can ask the presenter questions, exchange ideas with other attendees and network. Again, your library will probably have different options. So that you get the idea, here are a few examples of classes offered in my region.

• Starting a business
• Investing for retirement
• Using coupons to save money
• Creating a resume
• Growing your own herbs
• Crocheting for beginners
• Paying for college

Tech Training: While I’m waiting for a PowerPoint 2007 course to appear on my library’s calendar, these goobers are holding classes on how to use Facebook. You can even make a one-on-one appointment with someone who’ll show you how to set up AND download books onto your eReader. Unbelievable.

Even if your local library sucks, hope lives on.

Don’t limit yourself to the county where you live. You’re probably eligible for a library card in surrounding areas. For instance, I can take advantage of libraries located in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and a decent chunk of Maryland.

All these years you were ignorant of the library’s awesomeness. It’s OK. You didn’t know. Now that you do, you can stop buying stuff you already paid for.

What other services does your library offer?

Building an excellent credit history could take years. Fortunately, there are moves you can make within the next 48 hours that will get your credit score going in the right direction – up.

Despite what you heard, you don’t need credit. Last time I checked, credit didn’t make the cut onto Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. That said, you probably can’t afford everything you want on your salary alone. For instance, many believe it’s unrealistic to save enough cash to buy a house without a mortgage. (It isn’t.)

When the time comes to borrow money to purchase a home, start or expand a business, 0r buy a car, you want to qualify for the best interest rates.

In addition to reviewing your assets, income, and other factors that signal your ability to repay, lenders want proof you have a habit of honoring your debts.

That’s where your credit score comes in. If you’ve made mistakes with your credit in the past, or your credit history is fairly new, in most cases, you won’t command the lowest interest rates.

Nevertheless, you can start a plan to improve your credit score right now.

Note: Although there are several scoring models that measure your credit risk, FICO is the most popular one among lenders. For that reason, the following tips are centered around increasing your FICO score.

Step #1: Recognize How Much Bad Credit Costs You

You know bad credit is costlier than great credit. But do you know how much?

For the answer, let’s go to the FICO Loan Savings Calculator.

With poor credit, your monthly payment is $186 more than if it were in excellent shape. Over 30 years, you’ll pay an extra $67,000 in interest.

But that’s not the worst of it.

What if you invested the “poor credit premium” of $186 over the life of the loan?

Using the Future Value Calculator at DinkyTown.net, let’s see what we come up with.

Wow! An extra $229,000 in your pocket ain’t bad – ain’t bad at all.

After eighteen years, the length of time you’re saving for your child’s college education, your monthly investments could grow to almost $81,000.

The bottom line: Your credit score is a big, frickin’ deal.

Step #2: Order a Free Copy of Your Credit Report

Go to AnnualCreditReport.com to get a free copy of your credit report. You can obtain a free credit report once every 12-month period from each f the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion).

Step #3: Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report

To understand what types of errors hurt your credit score, you should know how the FICO scoring model works.

It’s wise to follow up with all inaccuracies recorded on your credit report – particularly those that indicate you’re a victim of identity theft – but certain information is more likely to drag down FICO score.

• Negative information that should no longer appear on your credit report (late payments and collections more than seven years old, bankruptcies more than ten years old). Signs that you don’t pay your debts as agreed reflect negatively on your payment history.
• Limits on lines of credit that are lower than what you’re approved for. Lower credit limits result in a higher credit utilization ratio (discussed below).
• Unauthorized requests for credit. Not only can applications for new credit (hard inquiries), shave points off your FICO score, but new accounts shorten the length of your credit history.
• Accounts with the wrong dates. The longer your credit history, the higher your score. As a result, you want to ensure the time since the account was opened is properly reflected in your credit report.
• Accounts classified in the wrong category. FICO looks at how you manage different types of credit (credit cards, installment loans, mortgages, etc). So if your car loan is recorded as a line of credit, your score could be artificially low.

Don’t forget to check your credit report for missing, positive information as well.

Dispute errors with the credit bureau AND the company that’s misreporting the error.

Request another credit report to verify errors were corrected after the matter is resolved.

Step #4: Set Up Automatic Minimum Payments

Your payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO score. Therefore, it’s really important you pay bills on time. There isn’t much you can do if you don’t have the money. But if you do, it’d be a shame if your credit score took a hit because you forgot to pay a bill.

The solution to this issue is simple. Have your creditors deduct minimum payments from your checking account before the due date. You may not have this option with every creditor. In those cases, use your bank’s online bill pay function to send checks on a reoccurring basis.

Make sure the payment amount you select is large enough to cover minimums that increase as your credit balance increases.

Step #5: Pay Down Balances on Lines of Credit

Another huge factor affecting your credit score is the amount you owe. FICO looks at your credit utilization to determine whether you’re an increased credit risk. Simply put, credit utilization is the amount you owe on lines of credit compared to your total available credit.

According to Liz Pulliam Weston, MSN Money financial columnist, your credit utilization ratio shouldn’t exceed 30%. Ten percent or less is ideal. Try to use credit cards equally to spread out your credit utilization.

Your credit utilization is the exact reason you should NOT close credit card accounts. Contrary to popular belief, this move will harm your credit. Look at what happens when you cancel a credit card.

Lenders often report revolving account balances to the credit bureaus as of the statement date. That means, even if you pay your credit cards in full each month before the due date, your credit report still may not show a zero balance on these accounts.

If you’re in the market for a loan, you may want to consider paying your credit cards off completely. Wait until after you’ve secured the loan to start using them again. Another option is to submit a hefty payment a few days before your statement closing date to get the same results.

Have you ever used any of these methods to boost your credit score? What other tricks worked for you?

It’s Quick Tip Tuesday time! Although this tip addresses a super obvious way to save money, you’re problem not doing it. As a matter of fact, I noticed myself not following my own advice before I left home. *Sigh* I’ll figure it out…eventually.

Check out this short video to learn how you can reduce consumption and increase your savings.

From the "My Body is So Weary" Edition of Menu Plan Money

Normally, I’m not a big sandwich eater. But lately, I’ve been craving them.

Plus, I bought three packs of bacon last week, and I can’t wait to integrate it into my meals.

Carbs are the only thing that make me reluctant to center an entire week’s menu plan around sandwiches.

Oh, the carbs! Aaaaargh!

But I think I discovered a way to solve the problem.

Instead of using pre-sliced sandwich bread, I’ll pick up a fresh loaf from Harris Teeter. I double dog dare you to find a supermarket with better bread than Harris Teeter. No, seriously, let me know if more delicious bread exists.

Throughout the week, on an as needed basis, I’ll slice the bread into thin, thigh friendly sized pieces, then assemble my sammich.

Yep. That’s what I’m gonna do. You think it’ll work?

Monday: Egg Salad Sandwich and Fruit Salad

Tuesday: Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwich and French Fries

Wednesday: Bacon, Lettuce and Guacamole Burger and Fruit Salad

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Bangkok 54 or BusBoys and Poets

Saturday/Sunday: Layered Salad and Restaurant Fodder

For more menu ideas, check out Menu Plan Monday at I’m an Organizing Junkie.

It’s hard to watch fellow single women who are otherwise responsible with their money make stupid financial decisions as soon as a man enters the picture.

The same amount of effort that goes into earning money, should go in to keeping it and making it grow.

Unfortunately, people close to you can function as a never ending leak to your bank account.

Here are five financial faux pas I’ve seen single women make with men and their money.

You give your guy unlimited access to your money

You’d think we’d know better, but I’ve come across more than one woman who’s made this mistake.

You’ve probably heard a lot of ol’ school women say don’t even let a man know how much money you make. My mother cautions against telling your husband your income. I disagree with my mother on that one. (Sorry, mama.)

However, your man needs to earn his own money. If you’re in a non-marital relationship, and your man stumbles on hard times then, by all means, help him if you’re in a position to do so.

Your strength and ability is part of what makes you a good woman. But, he should not get free reign over your debit cards, credit cards and checking accounts. If he’s short on money, then that’s what checks, money orders, and cash are for.

Years ago, my cousin’s wife told me about something that happened in her relationship that has always stayed with me. She won a law suit. All of the money from the law suit was put in a safe deposit box. Don’t ask me why this money wasn’t in a bank.

My cousin’s wife went on to say that she noticed my cousin buying a lot of clothes, jewelry, and little things for around the house. She didn’t think too much about where he was getting the money until she went to her safe deposit box and found only a few dollars left. He’d spent practically all her money without her permission. Even though she told me this story years after it happened, I could still see the hurt in her eyes. Don’t do it.

You don’t know your partner’s financial situation

Before you marry someone, you need to know how he handles his money. Money fights and money problems are one of the leading causes of divorce in the United States. That means you should be extremely reluctant to wed someone who isn’t forthcoming with his financial information.

Once things start getting serious, it’s not unreasonable to have the money talk. I’ve cut a man loose for being too secretive with his finances. How could we move forward when he was so resistant to sharing such a large part of himself? We couldn’t. I’ll take my chances on a new man.

You depend on a man to take care of you

Sometimes I wonder whether I should dedicate more time to my physical appearance in hopes of catching a rich man. Seems like that’d be easier than working for myself and making my own millions. Then I realize, depending on a man is downright frightening. There’s no security in that.

Even if you end up with a man of substantial means, you can’t let your guard down. Never stop taking care of you. If you insist on relying on a man financially, verify that he has both life and disability insurance. You need to be the beneficiary on his life insurance policy. And make sure the premiums are paid.

What happens if he pushes you to the side when you’re a crotchety old woman for an upgrade. That sort of stuff happens all the time. If you’ve put your best asset – your ability to generate income – in early retirement for a man, then ensure you’ll get your money if he’s gone.

You ignore reality when managing your money

Make purchase decisions based on the life you have instead of the life you want.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t execute a financial plan that’ll allow you to accomplish your dreams. It simply means you shouldn’t make financial decisions based on events that haven’t happened.

For instance, don’t buy an over sized house in hopes of filling it with a man and children. Did you forget your empty house needs to be heated in the winter and cooled in the summer? There aren’t many guarantees in life, but taxes are certain. You’d better believe, all things being equal, property taxes on a 2,500 square foot house are more than those on a 1,500 square footer.

Likewise, if you’re single and you want to own a home, buy it when you’re able. Don’t wait on a phantom man to come along and make you his wife. It’s great to have faith, but until you know the answer from God is “yes,” it’s wise to use your money according to what He’s already given you.

You become desperate

Don’t subscribe to the notion that you’re incomplete without a man.

When you’re desperate, any man will do. There are women who all but pay their man to be with them. It’s fascinating how a guy can find a new woman while he’s in jail. If a man isn’t free, what can he do for you?

Obviously, I don’t have a husband. Some day…perhaps. Happily single is far better than miserably married. A while back, I heard a quote that set me free:

It is better to be alone, than in bad company. – George Washington

So true.

Did I overlook any mistakes single women make with men and their money? 

Shawanda blogs about personal finance and financial freedom at You Have More Than You Think.

The following is a guest post from a You Have More Than You Think partner.

As small businesses grow, the need to hire an accountant becomes inevitable but they really shouldn’t be seen as a costly necessity. If you ask the right questions and request the right services an accountant could, in fact should, make your business more profitable by saving you both time and money.

1. Online Accounting

The whole world is online but for some draconian reason a lot of people have been reluctant to move away from traditional ink’n’paper accounting. By keeping your records electronically, bearing in mind it always a good idea to have hard copies for yourself, you can transfer all the information your accountant needs at the click of a mouse. This saves money on stationary, paper, envelopes and stamps while at the same time being more efficient and environmentally friendly; so money, time and karma saved.

2. Share Information

You must share everything with your accountant to get the best service. Many small business owners are reluctant to share all their financial information for a number of reasons but usually it is because they are embarrassed if their figures don’t match up to their ambition. My advice: get over it. Your accountant needs the tools to work with; remember your business is their business.

3. Assess Your Needs

Your accountant will offer you a number of accounting services and not all of them may be necessary to your business requirements; so make sure you are not paying for services you do not need. Figure out what you, or any of your employees, can do with regards to accounting and weigh up the cost of spending your time doing them. If you can do these chores efficiently enough that you are spending fewer business hours in relation to what it would cost to hire an accountant then do them yourself. Many accountants charge per the hour or offer part-time assistance; so figure out exactly what you need and only pay for that.

4. Shop Around

Ask your firm for a projection of accountant services and charges for the following year, most should be able to provide this service. If you shop around and find a better deal then let your accountant know about it, they may throw in some extra help or a discount to sweeten the deal.

5. Maintain a Positive Working Relationship

Many people feel intimidated by their accountants and it shouldn’t be this way, the relationship between yourself and your accountant should be a positive one. If you are happy with them and vice versa you know the best job for both of you will be getting done.

Last Saturday, I attended The Day of Foster.ly - an all day expo designed for metro DC area entrepreneurs.

The organizers said the event was open to everyone, but most of the attendees were software developers, founders of tech start ups or aspiring founders of tech start ups.

Despite the fact that I was the only personal finance blogger present, I learned a lot, had a great time and met some pretty interesting people.

Since I wasn’t there to pitch any products or seduce an unsuspecting developer into cofounding the next Mint.com with me, my job was simple:

1. Look presentable. 

The night before, my tresses were washed, conditioned, and styled. (OMG. You should’ve seen my hair the day prior to the event. It was so nasty.)

2. Engage others.

For someone who doesn’t like people all that much, I’m quite personable. I don’t have a problem talking to strangers, so there was nothing for me to do here except show up.

3. Have my business cards ready in case anyone asked.

Now we’ve got problems.

Business cards? I had them. But I began to realize the Ziploc bag I used to store my business cards was a wholly unacceptable solution for a professional of my caliber.

On the morning of The Day of Foster.ly, I drove to Staples in search of a business card holder. For some reason, I envisioned a sexy, sleek, stainless steel case that I’d whip out whenever I heard the question, “Do you have a business card?”

Well, Staples didn’t have that. What they had was a black, faux leather contraption that resembled a man’s wallet. Uh, no thanksss.

So what was my solution?

I simply put my business cards in a pocket on the side of my bag. There, they were easily accessible and safe from the other crap jostling around in my purse. That’s it. I saved enough cash to buy two glasses of wine and leave the bartender a tip.

Why didn’t I think of this option before? It worked. And I’m pretty sure no one noticed which hat I pulled my business cards out of.

If I paid more attention to the non-monetary alternatives, I would’ve remembered I left TWO business card holders in an old purse.  Both are sitting in my closet as we speak. There’s also a pocket in my laptop case that I could’ve used.

This got me to thinking. What would you do to solve a problem if money couldn’t fix it?

I didn’t have the time or the desire to go hunting for a business card holder. My energy was better spent networking with like minded entrepreneurs. So I went for the free and quick fix.

How much money would you save if you simply asked yourself, “If I can’t purchase the item I want, what will I do next?”

Today marks the official start of Quick Tip Tuesday.

Every Tuesday (Wednesday if you’re an email subscriber), you’ll receive a tip, via video, on how to save more money, earn more money or grow the money you have already. The idea is to deliver this information quickly. I’ll do my best to keep the videos short.

I’m always looking for helpful content to share with my readers so if you have any fresh ideas that you think are worth sharing on Quick Tip Tuesday, please submit them using the form on the Contact Me page.

If you’re so inclined, maybe you’ll send me a video response on YouTube. No pressure, but it’d sure be nice.

Don't tell anyone, but I made this yesterday - almost a week later than originally promised.

The last few weeks were super busy. Once I remembered the less I have to do the less I get done, I signed up for a ton of activities.

It’s counter intuitive, but if I don’t schedule non-work related tasks, I’m more likely to procrastinate.

This strategy totally works. There’s only one problem: I’m exhausted.

I know chicken wings and pork chops were on my last menu plan. Sadly, I didn’t get around to cooking them. I just couldn’t drag my butt to the supermarket to grab the ingredients I needed. So I subsisted on Super Pollo and McDonald’s. Pathetic, I know.

This week, I’m looking forward to relaxing. Now that I have groceries, I really hope I tear it up in the kitchen.

As I write this, I’m realizing the main reason I’m not scheduling so many evening networking, volunteering or recreational activities is so that I can dedicate more time to working out. So never mind. I guess I won’t be relaxing after all.

Here’s my dream menu plan for the week.

Monday/Tuesday: Leftovers (Asparagus & Mushroom Quiche and White Bean Sausage Stew)

Wednesday: Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes and Cabbage

Thursday: Baked Chicken Thighs, Collard Greens and Yellow Rice

Friday: Lebanese Taverna (Happy Hour)

Saturday: Shredded Beef Tacos

Sunday: Cob Salad with Watermelon Mojito Popsicles (optional)

Psst. I made this late too.

Check out more meal options on Menu Plan Monday at I’m an Organizing Junkie.

Whether applying for a job at a local, home-based business or a global, multi-billion dollar corporation, there are certain rules you need to follow during the interviewing process.

Even if new technologies helped you get a seat in front of the interviewer, the ways you’re going to wow him are downright old-fashioned.

No one cares about your fictitious online persona that instills jealousy in the hearts of friends and ex-lovers. Whether you receive the job offer boils down to how you come across in-person.

Let’s get ready for some good ol’ face-to-face, human interaction.

Do Your Homework

Alcohol and preparation are the only known cures for nervousness.

For obvious reasons, we’ll focus on the latter.

When asked, “What do you know about the company?” your reaction shouldn’t include a quick shoulder shrug coupled with “Uuuuh, I dunno.”

Familiarize yourself with the basics.

What products does your future employer sell?

What markets do they serve?

What challenges do they face?

Finding information on public or large companies is relatively easy. It shouldn’t be your only stop, but Google is a good starting point.

For small, privately owned organizations, you may need to dig a bit deeper for information.

You just need to know where to look.

Use the tools available through your library. Many great resources are paid for by your tax dollars. For instance, my library provides 24/7 access to premium websites such as ReferenceUSA, Business and Company Resource Center and Proquest.

If you need help, talk to a research librarian.

Prepare to Shine

Get ready to answer common interview questions. 

If you “um” and “uh” through your responses, the interviewer will think you’re incompetent or full of shit.

I highly recommend reading 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions by Vicky Oliver.

You don’t need to memorize your responses.

You do need to practice your delivery.

Say your answers out loud while standing in front of the mirror. It feels a little weird at first, but no one has to know. Think about how you handled deadlines, difficult coworkers, and other job related stressors in the past.

Study the job description of the position you’re applying for. How are you qualified to fill the company’s need? And if you’re lacking some skills, what will you do to make yourself the best person for the job? Are you taking online, non-credit classes? What books, magazines or email newsletters do you ready regularly?

You gotta be ready to talk about every objective, responsibility and accomplishment that’s on your resume…in detail.

Stay Calm

For the love of all pork fried in bacon fat, please dress appropriately for the interview. Err on the conservative side. If necessary, ask your Human Resource contact if proper attire is business or business casual.

Arrive to your interview about 15 minutes earlier than scheduled. If you’re unfamiliar with the location, do a quick drive-by the day before. The morning of your interview is the worst time to learn your GPS device will have you driving in circles.

For city folks, splurge on garage parking. Your meeting may last longer than you expect. You want your mind focused on the interview not on how much you’re racking up in parking tickets because the meter expired.

Silence your cell phone. Don’t put it on vibrate. Silence that sucker or turn it off. Schedule a reminder in your calendar if need be.

Side Note: There should be a smartphone app or feature that automatically silences your cell phone at a set time. If there isn’t, someone should get on that pronto. And to whomever that person is, lemme say, “You’re welcome.”

Introduce yourself to the interviewer with a polite smile, a warm greeting, and a firm handshake.

Let’s stop here and talk about the art of a good handshake.

The interviewer is not a chilvarous gentleman and you’re not a virginal damsel, so don’t give him your fuckin’ fingertips when he extends his hand. Make your handshake full. Make it firm. Two pumps is all ya need.

Remember to thank the interviewer for carving time out of his schedule to meet you.

Oh, and uh, ruh, I should probably mention…no cussing during the interview.

Sell It

Go ahead, and brag a little.

Show that you’re sure of your abilities.

The trick is to strike a balance between convincing the interviewer that you’re frickin’ awesome without simultaneously looking like a asshole.

Got it?

Answer questions briefly, accurately, and honestly. Then, shut up. Rambling will only lead to you repeating yourself. You’re awkward enough as is.

Be careful divulging personal information. You want to be relatable, but you don’t know how the interviewer will judge you.

When asked why I was relocating to Washington, D.C. from Orlando, Florida, I told potential employers that I wanted to live in a more cultured metropolis. That’s true. But it is also true that I would’ve moved to New York City if my then boyfriend hadn’t accepted a job with the federal government.

Try to see yourself from the employer’s standpoint. It’s not about you. In the event you’re hired, the company will pay you for your service. How will you serve them?

Avoid criticizing your current or past colleagues and supervisors. Praise the companies you’ve worked for. If asked why you’re leaving or why you left your previous employer, keep the attention on you.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Presumably, you’ve droned on and on about your qualifications during the entire interview.

People reeeally like to talk about themselves. So, try to word your questions in a way that focuses on the interviewer. For instance, “Fortune magazine says XYZ, Inc. was one of the top 100 companies to work for in 2011. Based on your experience, why do you think the firm received such recognition?”

Demonstrate you’ve done your research by asking the interviewer specific questions related to the company.

Shut it Down

Until you receive a job offer, avoid discussing salary and benefits. The interview is not the proper time to address such matters.

Conclude your meeting by reiterating what strengths and contributions you’ll bring to the organization.

Verbally express your interest in the company and the position.

If you didn’t receive a business card from the interviewer upon your first encounter, get one before leaving.

Again, thank the interviewer for his time.

Follow Up

If you think you’ve thanked the interviewer enough, you’re wrong. You’re gonna thank him again. Within 24 hours of your meeting, send the interviewer a genuine thank-you email that includes specific issues covered during your conversation. You don’t want to sound generic.

What tricks do you use to impress interviewers?