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July 12, 2010 - Your Credit Score a Potentially Powerful Number

What is this score you hear so much about? And how can one number have so much power? Understanding the facts about credit scores will help you make choices that will protect your options in the long run.

First, know what a credit score is. It is a mathematical risk assessment based on the information available in your credit report. It does not factor in such information as income, employment, age, and race.

If you are in the market for a home or car loan, a high score is important, as lenders will look to it to assess their risk in lending you money. The same goes if you are looking for a credit card with a low interest rate. Even potential landlords may look at your credit score to help them determine their risk in renting to you. Though you may not be in the market for a loan or home now, you never know what the future holds. Keeping your score as high as possible is usually a good idea.

A common scoring model is one developed by Fair, Isaac and Company. They issue a FICO score, which is based on many factors. Five of these factors are significant and within your power to control. They are (in order of greatest weight) payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, pursuit of new credit, and types of credit in use.

If your score isn’t where you want it to be, the good news is that you can take steps to improve it.

• Obtain copies of your credit report from all three major credit reporting agencies to check for and correct errors.
• Pay down your debt. If you can’t pay the total balance each month, pay more then the minimum required payment.
• Pay on time, every time.
• Avoid aggressively transferring balances to new cards.
• Keep your credit card balances well under the maximum available limit.
• Only apply for and have the credit you need.
• Repay collection accounts, judgments, and liens.

Recent information matters most – so the faster you do all the right things, the faster you can repair damage. And avoid “credit repair clinics,” as they can’t do anything you can’t do for yourself for free.

Keep in mind that you can’t build credit without using it. Having several (two to four is a good rule of thumb) active credit instruments shows capacity and responsibility. Balance is key. Too many unused open accounts shows potential for high future debt, which can lower your score, while too few accounts can also have a negative impact because you won’t have a long history of responsible credit use.

For more information contact Center For Consumer Credit Counseling, a local non-profit organization serving the Siouxland community for over 35 years. We can be reached at 712-252-1861 ext. 47.

July 10, 2010 - Food Drive Benefits Center For Siouxland

Sioux City, Iowa – Saturday, July 10, a food drive to support Center For Siouxland’s pantry will take place from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Fareway Stores in Sioux City and Sgt. Bluff. The food drive is a collaborative partnership between the Fareway Stores, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Siouxland Mental Health’s Friendship House and is being conducted in July as a way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the American’s with Disabilities Act.

Volunteers will be handing out fliers with lists of non-perishable items needed such as: spaghetti, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, canned fruit, tuna or chicken helper and canned tuna or chicken. These items will be used to stock the pantry at Center For Siouxland which assists approximately 250 people with food each month.

Please consider making a donation on Saturday, July 10, from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at your local Fareway Stores located at 2328 Transit Ave., 4016 Indian Hills Dr., 404 War Eagle Dr. or 700 1st St. in Sgt. Bluff. Donations are also accepted during regular business hours Monday through Friday at Center For Siouxland located at 715 Douglas St.

April 13, 2010 - Annual Fundraiser “ROCK THE MIGHTY MO” will be April 23rd

Center For Siouxland, announces the 5th annual “Rock the Mighty Mo” will take place on Friday, April 23, from 7:00-11:00 p.m. at the Marina Inn Conference Center. Live music will be provided by the Omaha cover band, “On the Fritz”. The evening will include dancing, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, door prizes, Mystery Wine event and a cash bar.

March 04, 2010 - Brian Mathers is New President/CEO

Center For Siouxland announces Brian Mathers has been appointed as President/CEO. Mathers was most recently the Director of Research Development for the University of South Dakota. Prior to that he was the Executive Director of the Lincoln Action Program, a community action agency in Lincoln, NE. Brian has worked throughout his career as a grant writer, program developer, grant administrator, community organizer, and case management trainer.

“I’m really pleased to be joining the Center For Siouxland team, “Mathers said, “and because of the economic downturn, the Center’s services are especially vital. I’m excited to work with all of our stakeholders to find solutions for our participants and the community.”

March 03, 2010 - Help Fight Hunger!

Center For Siouxland will be participating in the 2010 13th Annual Alan Shawn Feinstein $1 Million Dollar Giveaway to fight hunger. If you are interested in conducting a food drive to help alleviate hunger in Siouxland please call 712-252-1861 ext. 41. If you are an individual that is not involved in a food drive but would like to donate food or cash, Center For Siouxland is located at 715 Douglas St. in Sioux City and is open 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Feinstein Foundation will send a matching cash donation based on the donations received during March and April to participating agencies for the purchase of additional food to help alleviate hunger.