I was surprised how fast a credit score can change with adding accounts and paying down existing debt. 12 points sounds very doable.

Yes and no. While I'm paying down old debt, because it is being paid through an agency and not Capital One, it doesn't get reported as being paid regularly. Once it is paid off, it will show different on the report, but that is a few years off. Apparently paying my student loans don't count, which seems odd to me. I'll have to ask again about that. Those are the only things I can pay down.

Taking out a secured card will cause an initial hit against the score, but paying it, even a couple of cycles, will more than offset the hit apparently. She is talking to some of her credit recovery guys on the best way to do the secured card. I'm just still freaking that I am is better shape than I thought.

Oh, hey, Judge Judy.

That's really impressive, Drew! I have a really hard time with that myself when traveling--I don't have time for a sit-down restaurant but fast food is awful for me, but bringing something with is hard.

Yeah. The main thing for me is not worrying about it much beyond, "Don't drive through a place." I will run into Subway or something similar when I need to, but I really don't class a turkey sub anywhere near where I would grabbing a burger or going through Del Taco.

That's a reasonable line to try to draw. Impressive you've been able to stick to it!

Oh fuck, Plei. I know it's not your dream job or anything, but still!!

Suzi, good luck!!

The downside to free catered lunch at work every day is there is ALWAYS dessert available. There is also always salad, but the salad is sad and limp and the cookies are delicious.

NoiseDesign, funny you mention that about the fast food. I too haven't gone through any drive-through other than Starbucks since November! I quit the habit and I feel much better for it. I make sure I bring in carrots or some other snacky filling thing to eat for the drive home (when I was most likely to hit Taco Bell) and also make sure I have good food at home that I can prep and eat within 20 minutes. With my commute, knowing I can eat right away once I am home is key.

Suzi, I am so excited for you! So, one of the key differences between FHA and non-FHA is that if you don't put down 20% you'll need to pay PMI (mortgage insurance). For 2015, for certain income levels, that PMI is still deductible (like the mortgage interest).

ETA: Plei, that is a double whammy for sure and I am so sorry to hear it. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you.

Sorry to hear that life is piling the crap up on you, Plei.

This may be the most encouraging science news I've read in years: [link]

Ginger, think they might be realistic about their time estimate?

I'm both laughing and wanting to punch this author through my computer. The author who replied "no changes necessary" even though there were several direct queries he didn't answer? One of the queries was to change the title, because it was vague and wasn't science-y enough (the senior staff prefers the article titles be about whatever medical dealie the article is about, not something like "Bold Changes Ahead!", which is more or less what this guy titled his article).

His reply? "I like the title."

He might actually be Bartleby the Scrivener.

I'm punting this one to my boss. I'm over this jackhole.

Steph, that sounds like some of my coworkers. At least you (/your boss) have some leverage in the situation?

both of us - fold and put away clothes from drying racks
me - vacuum front room - carpet and furniture (damn animals)
me - use up as much of the perishable food as I can - 2 egg scrambles done and all breakfast sausage cooked, big salad with leftover chicken, caprese salad and leftover pizza
both of us - vacuum respective bedrooms, put away clothes
both of us - pack - mac has laid out his clothes for me to check
me - litter boxes
mac - vacuum furniture in backroom
me - DEAL WITH THE PAPER EVERYWHERE
me - upload medical bills to fsa - did one, have not found others
me - start taxes? (honestly probably not)
me - check all bills to make sure are paid
me - food scraps to compost.

I may still get started on packing, and I will absolutely get mac's stuff packed. Since the roads cleared, I went to the store for a few things and mailed 2 packages. There were definitely be school and work tomorrow, so paper will most likely not be dealt with thoroughly. The food, I will take lunch to work tomorrow and then just do the best I can with dinner tomorrow night. Maybe I'll pack a salad for the plane.