HOST A SUMMER BARB
Enjoying your own party can be more complicated than it sounds. Backyard barbecues are a high point of summer, but hosting one you enjoy with your guests requires planning. “If swimming is on the agenda, consider protecting new or light- colored indoor furniture with water-resistant covers so guests in wet swimsuits can sit wherever they want without stressing out their host,” says Calla Quinn, a TikTok influencer who recently posted tips on hosting up to 50 friends at your home. Another tip she shares is using of portable misting fans in dry climates. These devices create a fine mist to refresh passersby in seconds, and they are especially popular on patios and decks. If attendees offer to bring something, don’t hesitate to accept, and be specific about what you want — from lawn chairs to beach towels. Martha Stewart recommends having a stain remover on hand to manage stains and cloth towels that guests can use to wipe up spills.
Grill and Chill
Expert hosts also recommend a self-serve bar for casual summer gatherings. Consider filling several 3-gallon drink dispensers with
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO AN ACCURATE CREDIT REPORT CREDIT CHECK-UP
Your credit score has become more important than ever to your budget and the financial opportunities you enjoy. It’s essential to ensure it’s based on fair and accurate information. Consumers have the right under federal law to review and correct any inaccuracies on credit reports compiled by the three credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Consumers need to exercise that right, TikTok entrepreneur Logan Shippy reports in a 2023 video. Credit reports include your history of on- time payments, past and current loans, credit cards, and the percentage of your authorized credit limit you use. They also may contain past bankruptcies or overdue child support payments.
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act requires creditors and lenders to tell you when information in one of these reports has caused some adverse action against you, such as being rejected for a loan or credit card. Even if a lender uses complex algorithms to deny you or charge you a higher interest rate, they still have to give you a reason. Consumers may dispute and have deleted or corrected any inaccurate information in their credit report within 30 days. Negative information can only remain on your credit report for seven years, and most past bankruptcies must be removed after 10 years. According to federal law, if your report contains inaccurate information, such as wrong dates or wrong amounts, those inaccuracies cannot be held against you. Consumers can take legal action if they are victims of an adverse
action because of inaccurate information. Enforcement of these rights falls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Both have helpful information on their websites. Each credit-reporting agency must provide consumers with one free credit report each year, available through AnnualCreditReport.com. If this seems like a hassle — it may be. The reports themselves can be confusing, and correcting them can be an arduous process. But people with excellent scores of 750 or higher pay thousands of dollars less in interest costs on mortgages and auto loans than those whose score falls between 630 and 689. Your score also can affect your ability to land a job, get a credit card, and rent a home or apartment. Reviewing your credit report annually and correcting inaccuracies is worth the time and trouble.
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