Ke$ha - Blow

I like Lady Gaga, but I LOVE Ke$ha! This is the video premiere for her new single "Blow". The video is such a joke but I absolutely enjoyed it. James Van der Beek? I mean, come on. Joey might get a little upset over this...

Ke$ha killed it.

Credit Cards: the do's and don't fucking ever's...

I opened my first credit card with Bank of America in 2005. For what reason you ask? Because I wanted a Gucci messenger bag I couldn't possibly afford. And of course, one mistake led to another. I've not been interested in credit until recently due to reasons such as: frankly, I couldn't have cared less, it was way too confusing, and that I've been under the impression that it was safer not to know. But I've taken much interest in it as of late because, well, I'm growing up and it's about time to mature - financially!

My goal here is to help simplify and restore the importance of credit. Let's just hope you take interest and spend some time digesting the information I've set forth.

What is a personal credit score?

There are three national credit reporting agencies: TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. These credit reporting agencies each mantiain credit information about you on a daily basis - information on your credit card accounts, store card accounts, mortgage. car, and other loan information. They do NOT evualate your information, they simply hold it.

A simple numerical measurement of your creditworthiness like those used by banks, credit card companies, mortgage lenders and other credit providers.

Most credit scores fall between 350 and 850. The higher your credit score, the better your chances of being approved for credit and loans. Best of luck, bitches.

What lowers my credit?

• Not using your credit card accounts at all may be considered a negative factor, because it does not provide lenders with information about how you typically use credit and repay your debts.
• Having had credit accounts for a long time is a positive factor. Let's say for example if your oldest account was opened up 7 years ago, your credit history may be considered short, and less than 3 years is often considered too little. The best scenario would be that you have accounts that were opened 40 or more years ago and have 2 or more reported payment history.
• High usage (balances above 50% of the credit limit) is usually considered negative because lenders worry that you may be using more credit than you can reasonably afford to repay. In fact, as little as 15% usage may lower your score. 
• Maxed out or overlimit on a credit card is particularly negative.
• Late payments - being late on many accounts is typically worse. 
• Applying for multiple credit accounts within a short period of time (such as 12 months) because they cannot tell wether you are "shopping" for the best offer or if you are desperately trying to obtain credit because of financial trouble.
• Having too few accounts maybe be considered negative.

What improves my credit?

• Make your payments on time. Lenders understand that many people occosionally pay late, therefore, being late with a single payment is typically not as harmful as being late with two or more consecutive payments.
• Don't take out a loan unless you really, really need it.

How do you cancel a credit card?

Before you decide to close your account, please be sure you avoid these following things! Do NOT close:

• Any cards that have a balance (pay it off COMPLETELY)
• Only credit card with a balance (it will decrease total available credit)
• Only credit card (you need it to add points to your credit score, duh!)
• Oldest credit card account (don't take a huge step back with your credit history)
• Credit card with the best terms (why let a good thing go?)

Once you've checked off that list, here is how you would go about closing a credit card account:

1. Call the credit card company and tell the representative you are requesting to cancel the credit card account. Make sure that they list the cancellation as a "request by the customer" and not a "cancellation by creditor".
2. Request for a statement through mail about the closure of your account. Most importantly, send a letter. Request a name and address to whom you are to send a written or typed statement about the cancellation of your card for added assurance.
3. Be patient. Wait a month or two for the creditors to process your request.
4. Follow up by checking your credit report. Check for errors because CREDITORS can and will make mistakes - it could be detrimental to your score. Be thorough with your report!

Be smart about credit or it'll bite cho' ass in the future. Y'all don't want that, do you?

Britney Spears - Hold It Against Me

I've unconditional love for Britney Spears. With that said, her new video for "Hold it Against Me" did not live up to the hype. It pains me to even admit this but it could possibly be one of her worst videos. All the elements and special effects could've been successful, perhaps if reduced to a trick here and there, but god - such overkill. Britney is lost in the hot mess that is Jonas Akerlunds work. As a Spears loyalist, I've realized that Britney doesn't have to try hard - she really doesn't. I'm just convinced this wasn't her element.

Girl, I forgive you.