My credit score is excellent right now. I am very proud to say that because it is a fruit of my discipline and hardwork. Believe it or not, I had no credit score 5 years ago (I grew up in a country that does not do credit scores). My husband, who has been my mentor about good credit score, got me started the right way. He advised me to get a credit card, use it and then pay the whole bill every month. And that's what I did and have been doing. I keep track of my expenses by writing them in a notebook. Yes, I like the old method but hey, it works for me. My credit score is actually higher than my husband's. He was a little bit dissapointed about that. It's our little competition you know.

Having a good credit score is indeed a good investment. I was building a good credit score years ago and when it was time for me and my husband to buy a new house, it was just an easy deal. We got approved right away and it was a great feeling. We got the best rate, too.

I am not sure if all potential employers check credit scores of the applicants but I know that mine was checked. My husband also said that he has to have a good credit score to keep his job. I guess a person's credit score can describe one's personality.

I treat my credit score like gold so I always monitor it to maintain the numbers high. I get free credit score report annually which is nice because it is free. Do you have a credit score story to share?

I remember a while back my husband had a couple e-trade IRA Accounts. He had a lot of fun with them conducting online trades and just really playing around. When we moved in to the new house, he cashed them all out so that we could build a fence and landscape a back yard. He figured he better cash the accounts out before they had a zero balance anyway. The way the markets were going he probably made a good choice, so it seemed at the time.

I know that he misses his Online Trading days. He would love to watch stocks for a few weeks at a time, and then buy a stock at a low point. He was pretty good at gauging a stocks ebb and flow, but he has ADD and quickly became disinterested. As our funds free up down the road I am hoping he will once again return to a bit of on-line trading.

If he does, I think I will have to recommend he go through an Online Broker though; perhaps one that has a bit more help available to him as an investor. He likes to do things on his own, but as he figures things out he will need someone to talk to. That is something that was hard to come by with e-trade, but I know there are other options out there now.

Gold has been in the news recently for setting record highs. At the date of this posting it had a closing value of $1368.60 per ounce, about $65 off its five year high of $1424.30. With the value of the dollar dropping by the minute, gold is looking like it could even go higher in value in the coming months and years. This has many investors turning to gold for asset protection and growth.

There are several ways that you could choose to invest in gold. You can purchase and hold the gold coins and Gold Bullion in your safe deposit box or home safe, or now you can even have a portion of your IRA be held in gold, actually gold. This is not paper stock in a precious metals company, rather you get to have the actual physical gold on hand in your possession.

Imagine the comfort in these trying times of being able to hold onto something worth more than paper. For most of human history it seems every human culture has realized the value and the comfort holding this metal can bring. Imagine how much better you will be able to sleep at night knowing that the gold coins or Gold Bullion you have purchased, weather you invest it in your Gold IRA or not, will never be worth nothing. Not even the Grinch will be able to ruin this coming Holiday Season for you.

Are you ready to Buy Gold?

Texas is not a place I have ever been, but from what my husband says it is a great state (he was born there). I am not sure if we could ever move back there and if we did it would more than likely be out near where he was born. I wonder how Dallas Real Estate market is doing right now?

Owning real estate in a big city like Dallas is still in my wildest dreams. We can't really afford to buy another investment right now but who knows. Maybe someday we can reach that dream. I checked the Dallas Homes for Sale and the numbers are not really bad. I heard that there is no property tax in Texas. Wow...

Dallas is one of the largest cities in the country. In areas like Dallas there is potentially more investment value in real estate. I am not so sure if I can handle big cities to tell you honestly. I like country lands because they are quiet and that is what I am used to. I think though that owning a house in Dallas will probably be a good investment. What do you think? If you have time, check out the Dallas Homes For Sale at www.usarealtyservices.com.

Do you have any horror stories that you can share about a cable contractor or any kind of contractors that you have hired and did a very crappy job? Did it cost you a lot of money? My mother-in-law and I just recently talked about how important it is to do a lot of research, read reviews and talk to friends before hiring a contractor. I just thought I'd make a post about it.

A contractor that sells cheaper service does not always mean it will save you money. I work in an insurance company so I hear horror stories often. It is disheartening to hear that some people would lose a home from fire because of an electrical wiring poorly done by an electrical contractor. Do you see what I am talking about? It is very important that you do your homework before hiring somebody. Make sure you check if they have insurance and warranties.

Another situation would be if you are a small business owner and you have a building that needs a cabling installation done, make sure you just don't hire a contractor just because. Be smart. Choose the best installers out there to protect your investment.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert in this kind of stuff but I have heard real stories.