I'm clearing through my papers and I have the flyer for my Bank of America Rewards (SM) American Express (registered trademark) Card, which is for average credit.

I have a ten-year credit history with no late payments, and I own a home: I'm one third through my mortgage. Very very lucky to not have had crises like health or divorce compromise my financial security. I have two other cards that I use regularly (stopped using one, actually, last month). How can I improve my credit? Apparently making timely payments in full, and paying off vehicular loans early is not getting me past the "average credit" setting. I am careful not to go beyond 30% utilization of the credit limit on my cards. I did apply for 100% financing on my motorcycle in 2005, but I paid off the balance within twelve months last year.

What do I do to have "good credit" so I can apply for and get cards better than the Bank of America (SM) American Express (registered trademark) Card? Every time I call Yank of America and ask for something better they refuse me. So either Yank of America is evil, or it hates me because I am of "average creditworthiness." If I knew what I could do to improve my creditworthiness, I could do it and then it would only be a matter of "is Bank of America evil by not rewarding me for my improved credit."

Honestly, when people improve their credit scores, do their credit issuers ever proactively reward them, or do the people have to take their credit requests elsewhere?

I went to Super Supplements to pick up some melatonin, better-tasting cod liver oil for home, more vitamins for the eyes, and Blood Sugar blues. All four were on sale. Still, I paid $72. The Cod Liver Oil was pricy.

I know tweaking my diet and engaging in exercise would eliminate at least three of those supplements. I have vitamins galore at home.

If I could carve the time to schedule exercise, design six daily mini-meals (LuckyRobin was onto something when she suggested postprandial insulinemia -- I think there must be some blood sugar issues going on and I can't distinguish among hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, diabetes and postprandial insulinemia) that meet ALL my nutritional requirements with IN-SEASON LOCALLY GROWN FOODS, then I could cut down on these vitamin supplements. I could consult a local nutritionist. It would also help if the salmon stocks weren't dwindling.

Calcium/magnesium w/Vitamin D for bone health;
Acerola Vitamin C to keep contagious viruses away;
iron for anemia common in child-bearing-age women;
Vitamin A for eye health;
Vitamin D for depression/anxiety/anti-oxidant properties
Cod Liver Oil for Vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids
B-complex vitamins for energy
Spirulina for eye health/energy/protein

A multivitamin doesn't cut it.

And I may need a daily, rigourous program for exercise. My adipose tissue around my abdomen led one woman to ask when I was due. I can't spot-reduce that bit around the waist, but it's the only area that needs reducing. So, an allover exercise regimen for me, and a diet that is even more sugar-restrictive and dependent on complex carbohydrates and more protein.

Yesterday I went out for a nice thirty-five minute walk, but what about when it rains hard? What should I do today?

I learned that my health insurance isn't going to cover my primary physician anymore as of next month, and my husband's insurance, which does cover my primary physician, expires next month.

I love my job, but I think when my contract ends I'm going to start looking for jobs in Canada or full-time jobs with terrific health benefits. Nobody has yet convinced me that bouncing from HMO to HMO, and from primary care physician to primary care physician is in my best interest.

So I read today that Canada's dollar is now at par with the U.S. As a Canadian, I am happy for Canada, but I live and work in the U.S.

I regret not acting on the slide of the U.S. dollar earlier: kindergarten, work, vacation, and other projects took time away from investigating the matter further. I really regretted not doing anything July 13.

If I am going to invest, I need to feel comfortable with my decision, and not urged by greed and panic. I can only feel comfortable with my decision if I have researched at least three options, drawn up pros and cons. I draw the line at using Excel for pivot charts and matrices.

Earning 1.75% on $10060 is not enough for me. I'm earning 0.75% on $4900 in a non-contributory Traditional IRA. That sucks for me too.

Here are the options I'm thinking of:
* As September was a heavy expenditure month, lock $1500 in a 12-month CD and $1500 in an 11-month CD each earning over 5%.

* Stash $1500 in a 6-month CD.

* Put $1000 more in my Roth IRA and buy a Gold ETF.

* With the $4900 in the non-contributory IRA, put $1500 in a selection of foreign currency ETFs.

Good things I did:

I contributed $960 yesterday for my 2007 Roth IRA.

I compared CD rates at two credit union institutions.

I checked out what of my assets stored at my discount brokerage SIPC will insure.

I bought some shares of a Canadian dollar ETF. I have some Canadian gold coins and some $20s from April.

I reviewed my current 401(k) plan. It's going to get some more tweaks to evenly distribute my risk.
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The contractors have not yet come to do the windows. They claim they are over-scheduled. Did I mention I paid/booked for this in June? I wonder if they will pay for my heating bills in the interim.
Then again, the later they take to do the installation, the later I'll have to pay. I am considering not paying cash all at once, but rather kiss $3000 goodbye initially, and borrow the rest from the HELOC.

America's personal saving rate went up to one whole percent in the first quarter of 2007! I wonder how much of that is due to ING's Orange Accounts and the 7.5% - 8% offered by some credit unions on the first $500 deposited in checking and savings accounts. So when you read mainstream media's gloomy bits about consumer expenditures being down, consider that some people are choosing to pay in cash for a planned purchase, and reflect on the positive saving rate. While Bank of America is amending its credit card agreements to provide for a 32.99% "default pricing" APR, can you really blame people for wanting to save? It's not like Bank of America is actively engaging in competitive practices to encourage credit card use with a rate like 32.99% APR...