This is where your path to financial freedom begins...

Improving your credit score can feel overwhelming, especially when life throws unexpected challenges your way. But it’s absolutely possible to boost your credit score quickly with the right steps. Whether you’re planning for a big purchase, aiming to qualify for better loan terms, or simply want to feel more financially secure, I’m here to guide you through practical, doable actions that build your credit health. Together, we’ll break down the process into clear, manageable steps that fit your life and goals. Quick Credit Score Fixes You Can Start Today Check Your Credit Report for Errors Pull your credit report from the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Look carefully for mistakes like incorrect balances, accounts that don’t belong to you, or outdated information. Disputing errors can quickly improve your score once corrected. Pay Down Credit Card Balances Your credit utilization ratio - the amount of credit you’re using compared to your total available credit - plays a big role in your score. Aim to keep this ratio below 30%. Even paying down a few hundred dollars can have an immediate positive impact. Avoid New Credit Applications Each time you apply for credit, a hard inquiry appears on your report, which can temporarily lower your score. Hold off on new credit applications while you focus on improving your current accounts. Set Up Payment Reminders or Auto-Pay Payment history is the biggest factor in your credit score. Missing payments can hurt your score quickly. Use reminders or automatic payments to ensure you never miss a due date. Become an Authorized User If you have a trusted family member or friend with good credit, ask if they can add you as an authorized user on their credit card. This can help build your credit history without you needing to open a new account. These quick fixes are like small wins that build momentum. They help you regain control and start seeing progress right away. What Brings Your Credit Score Up the Fastest? Reducing balances and fixing payment history usually create the fastest changes. Other impactful moves include negotiating to remove negative items, requesting credit limit increases, and building positive history through secured cards or credit-builder loans. Reducing Credit Card Balances If you have high balances relative to your credit limits, paying them down can lower your utilization ratio and improve your score within a billing cycle or two. Fixing Payment History Issues If you have missed payments, bringing accounts current and staying consistent with on-time payments going forward will gradually repair your score. Some lenders may even agree to remove late payments if you ask nicely and have a good history. Removing Negative Items Sometimes, you can negotiate with creditors or collection agencies to remove negative marks in exchange for payment. Increasing Your Credit Limits If you have a good payment history, ask your credit card issuer for a credit limit increase. This can lower your utilization ratio without you having to pay down balances immediately. This doesn't mean you should use that available balance; discipline will be required to avoid overextending your finances. Building Positive Credit History Opening a secured credit card or credit-builder loan and making timely payments adds positive data to your report, which helps your score over time. Remember, credit utilization and payment history make up about 65% of your score, so focus your energy there. Reviewing credit card balances to reduce utilization How Military Families Can Navigate Credit Challenges Frequent moves and deployments add unique stress to managing credit. To stay ahead: Use protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). Plan budgets around deployment changes and automate bill pay. Lean on military credit unions and resources built for service members. Contact creditors early if you expect hardship—many will work with you. Keep an emergency fund to avoid relying on credit during tough times. These steps provide stability and protect your score when life shifts unexpectedly. These steps help you maintain financial stability and credit health despite the unique demands of military life. Practical Tips to Keep Your Credit Score Growing Once you’ve made those quick fixes, it’s important to keep your credit score on an upward path. Here are some practical tips to maintain and grow your credit health: Monitor Your Credit Regularly Use free tools or services to monitor your credit report and score. This helps you catch errors or suspicious activity early. Keep Old Accounts Open The length of your credit history matters. Even if you don’t use some cards often, keeping them open can help your score. Diversify Your Credit Mix Having a mix of credit types - credit cards, installment loans, mortgages - can positively impact your score. But only take on credit you can manage responsibly. Limit Hard Inquiries Space out credit applications to avoid multiple hard inquiries in a short time. Stay Consistent with Payments On-time payments are the foundation of a strong credit score. Set it and forget it with autopay if possible. By following these tips, you build a strong credit foundation that supports your financial goals for years to come. Take the Next Step Toward Financial Confidence Improving your credit score is about more than chasing a number—it’s about opening doors to better opportunities, reducing stress, and gaining control over your financial future. Every action you take today lays the foundation for long-term financial confidence. 👉 Ready to take control of your credit?  Don’t navigate this journey alone. Book a Financial Clarity Call  with me at Harris Financial Coaching. Together, we’ll create a personalized roadmap to improve your credit fast, rebuild your financial confidence, and help you achieve the freedom you’ve been working toward. Your credit journey starts now—let’s take that first step today. Your credit journey starts now - take that first step today!

Photo by Alexander Grey via Unsplash Greed is more than just a flaw; it's a powerful force that quietly drives our decisions, distorts our priorities, and reshapes our lives. Across six compelling books, the pursuit of money, status, and control is examined from various angles. Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams reveals Facebook's profit-driven rise and moral decay. Good Dirt and The Jungle expose labor exploitation and economic disparity. Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Novel personifies temptation and the price of unchecked ambition. Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche reframes financial power through discipline and self-worth, while Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler warns of a world where inequality consumes society itself. Together, these works form a vivid study of money's dual nature—how it can build security or breed destruction, depending on who holds it and why. As an * Amazon Associate , I earn from qualifying purchases from books I've personally read and gained valuable insights from. 6 Must-Read Books About Greed and How to Overcome It Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Novel by Victoria Christopher Murray In Greed , Zuri Maxwell is a sales representative exploring a career in sales to maximize her earnings through commissions. However, her sales career and the compensation she receives do not provide the lifestyle she expected. Consequently, Zuri has had to find a way to earn money and live the life she has always desired. This comes at a cost, as she deceives her boyfriend, Stephon, into believing she is working for her employer while she is being entertained by the Atlanta elite. This situation weighs on Zuri's conscience, but she cannot resist the allure of the lifestyle she has long pursued, even at the expense of her relationships and friendships. In the end, it's interesting to see the outcome of all the winning, dining, and having every dream of Zuri's come true. This book has a surprising twist that unfolds near the end and makes you question whether fulfilling your fantasies is worth it. Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson Good Dirt covers multiple genres of literature and fiction. It tells a story of romance, loss, slavery, greed, and more. The narrative follows Ebby and her parents as they deal with the loss of her brother Baz. It all stems from a jar called Old Mo. Old Mo is not just an ordinary jar; it holds immense historical value and sentimental significance for Ebby's family, symbolizing their heritage, unity, and the memories they have shared over generations. The jar is cherished not only for its physical beauty but also for the stories and traditions it encapsulates. However, the family's happiness, achievements, and the wealth they have accumulated throughout their lives become overshadowed by a single catastrophic event—the death of her brother Baz and the shattering of Old Mo. This incident is not merely a physical breakage; it represents a fracture in the family's emotional and psychological foundation, leading to a cascade of turmoil and conflict. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that the greed of one individual, who covets what does not rightfully belong to them, can have far-reaching consequences. This affects not only the lives of those directly involved but also the broader community connected to them. The pursuit of wealth and material possessions often leads to moral decay, serving as a poignant reminder of how greed can corrupt even the most sacred of familial bonds. Get Good With Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany Aliche Tiffany Aliche's journey from financial downfall to prosperity is inspiring. She explains how she was swindled out of her money by two individuals she thought she could trust. The first individual took over $20,000 and ran away with it. All Tiffany dreamed of was earning over $2,000 a week from the returns on her investment when she took a cash advance on her credit card. Ultimately, she was left with nothing but a credit card bill. Next comes a best friend who moves into her condo but doesn't pay rent on time. What is Tiffany to do? The only thing she knows how to do, on a teacher's salary, is to pay the credit card bill and mortgage until she can figure out how to live her dream. In Get Good With Money , you will learn more about Tiffany's experiences with untrustworthy people and how you can become financially whole through budgeting, saving, and investing your way to wealth the right way. While pondering how you can Get Good With Money, check out these helpful resources to achieve financial wholeness and not let the greed bug bite. Seeds of Greed: A New Look at Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler In this fresh take on Octavia Butler's famous book, we meet Lauren Olamina, a teenage girl who feels other people's pain in her own body. Lauren lives in a future America where money rules everything. Big companies own the water while regular families go hungry. Behind her neighborhood's walls, Lauren watches as people care more about getting rich than helping others. Then, one night, her safe home burns down, and she must escape with nothing but her ideas for a better world. On the dangerous roads of America, Lauren sees what greed has done. Empty mansions stand next to homeless camps. People fight over food while the rich hide behind guards. As Lauren meets other survivors, she shares her new belief system called Earthseed. It teaches that real wealth isn't about money or stuff—it's about helping others and sharing what you have. Butler's story warns us about what happens when we care too much about getting rich and forget about being kind. In Lauren's broken world, the truly wealthy aren't those with the most things but those who remember how to care. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair The Jungle by Upton Sinclair explores the dark side of the American Dream through the journey of Jurgis Rudkus, an immigrant from Lithuania seeking a better life in early 20th-century Chicago. Upon arrival, Jurgis and his family are thrust into the harsh realities of the Packing District, where exploitation reigns and workers struggle to form unions for fair wages and safe conditions. Their aspirations quickly collide with financial instability, health crises, and moral dilemmas, leading them to make desperate choices to survive, including crossing ethical lines during a union strike. As tragedy strikes and the family faces unimaginable loss, they embark on individual quests to navigate life's challenges, confronting harsh choices that test their dignity. Ultimately, they are reunited, but their experiences leave lasting scars that alter their dreams of the American Dream. Sinclair's narrative serves as a poignant reminder of human resilience amid adversity, inviting readers to reflect on the relentless fight for justice and dignity that resonates through generations. Will the Rudkus family find hope, or will they be consumed by the very system they sought to escape? The answer lies within this unforgettable tale. Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams is a striking exposé on how greed and the pursuit of profit can corrupt innovation. Wynn-Williams, one of Facebook's early employees, reveals the company's rapid rise from a startup to a global powerhouse, and the moral decline that accompanied it. From her position within Facebook's media division, she describes Mark Zuckerberg's ambition and the corporate culture that valued growth and revenue over ethics and accountability. The book explores how Facebook's ad algorithms enabled the spread of misinformation and political manipulation, shaping elections worldwide, including the 2016 U.S. presidential race. Wynn-Williams also shares disturbing accounts of workplace misconduct and gender bias, exposing a culture driven by money and influence rather than integrity. Careless People challenges readers to consider the true cost of digital power and what happens when technology outpaces responsibility. How Can You Avoid Financial Greed? Relentlessly chasing money can create a cycle of financial and emotional strain. The constant drive to earn more often leads to risky decisions, overspending, and a sense of never having enough. Over time, this pressure erodes balance, leaving even high earners feeling anxious and disconnected from what truly matters. To break this cycle, start by examining the beliefs and habits that shape your relationship with money. Greed rarely announces itself; it shows up subtly, in comparison, competition, and the quiet fear of falling behind. Practicing gratitude and defining what "enough" means for you personally can help restore clarity. When your financial goals align with your values, your choices begin to support, not sabotage, your well-being. Building wealth then becomes less about accumulation and more about purpose, stability, and peace of mind. Check out The Money Treadmill: The Road to Financial Happiness Take Action Towards Financial Clarity Are you ready to create a healthier relationship with money and lead with clarity instead of comparison? Schedule your clarity call today and start your wealth journey with Harris Financial Coaching. Together, we can empower you to achieve lasting financial independence.

Well, it's officially that time of year-the holiday shopping season-and for many, that means one thing: Black Friday. Sure, it's easy to get caught up in steep discounts and flash sales, but let's take a step back and ask: Is Black Friday really the "deal" it's marketed as? As someone interested in financial literacy and planning, I cannot help but question ourselves: are we able to manage our finances during such events, or are we likely to fall for retail tricks? From a personal finance perspective, Black Friday is the ultimate test of impulse control. If you're not careful, it can quickly devolve into a bad case of buyer's remorse and a financial hangover. I want you walking into the season with clarity, and the insights in the U.S. News & World Report  about simple and free budgeting tools , is true: structure protects your money. Black Friday Deals: The Reality They've become incredibly good at creating a feeling of urgency, offering what feels like huge discounts (let's talk cognitive distortions, shall we?). But in reality, they are just artificially inflated or masked as a "limited-time offer." How many times do we see that "Only two left!" notice next to something we're eyeing? It works. It keeps us moving, hitting "Buy Now" before we've even had time to think. That's where financial planning comes in. How can we avoid these traps? The Black Friday Spreadsheet That Keeps You Grounded This year, I am proposing something simple that can make an immense difference in the way you approach Black Friday: planning ahead. If I am anything like you, you've made quick decisions during sales events. This time, though, I'm arming myself with a potent tool-one that could change the way I shop this Black Friday. It's nothing like a secret hack or magic formula; it's just a simple Google Sheets template  to help track prices, compare deals, and finally check whether that "steep discount" is really worth it. By entering the current prices of items you're considering purchasing and comparing them with the sale prices, you can objectively determine whether you're really getting a deal or just feeling pressured to "buy now."  It’s free. It’s simple. And it works. Why It's More Than Just Shopping: It's Financial Self-Control Everything in personal finance is about self-control. We talk a lot about budgeting, savings, and investments, but one often-overlooked area is our shopping habits. Black Friday presents the ultimate opportunity to exercise financial self-discipline: you can track what you need to buy, compare current and sale prices, and make sure every purchase fits within your budget. More importantly, this simple tool helps you avoid the emotional buying traps that retailers set. It's easy to convince yourself that you "need" that gadget or jacket when it is 50% off, but is it really saving you money in the long run? Probably not, if it wasn't on your list in the first place. I firmly believe that by being intentional with your spending, you take back control of your finances-and that's the real victory of Black Friday. Why I Made This Tool For You I've always been a fan of tools that simplify complex tasks, especially when it comes to finances. Managing your money doesn't have to be stressful, and it doesn't require fancy apps or advanced knowledge. The spreadsheet is a straightforward way to stay in control. It tracks your desired purchases, monitors prices, and makes sure you stay within your budget. With an added bonus of being completely free, it's a no-brainer. And yes, it's as easy to use as it sounds. If you're already thinking about your Black Friday shopping list, this is the tool you've been waiting for .

Free financial calculators for mortgage payments, compound interest, car loans, and savings goals. Make informed money decisions with our easy-to-use tools and instant results. Mortgage Mortgage Compound Interest Car Loan Savings Compound Interest Car Loan Savings Calculator

Interactive debt payoff tracker using the avalanche method, with progress visualization, interest savings calculator, and milestone celebrations.

This Returns Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the processing of returns. Returns Policy LAST UPDATED: June 6, 2025. We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If for any reason you're not, we're here to help. 30-Day Returns You have 30 calendar days from the date you received your order to initiate a return. Eligibility for a Return To be eligible for a return: Your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. Your item must be in its original packaging. Return Shipping You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. Refunds Once we receive your returned item, we will inspect it and notify you that we have received your returned item. We will immediately notify you on the status of your refund after inspecting the item. If your return is approved, we will initiate a refund to your original method of payment. You will receive the credit within a certain amount of days, depending on your card issuer's policies. Please note that original shipping costs paid at the time of your purchase are non-refundable.