Monday Jumpstart to Personal Finance & Credit Report News

There are more signs of sunny skies breaking through the recession: stocks are surging after a recent report showing a big jump in home sales, up 10.1% in October since September, spurred by the updated and extended home buyer tax credit. Numbers like this renew the market’s optimism about the state of our economy, but given the last few months of economic ups and downs, better to brush up on the latest news on personal finance and credit scores to help you weather uncertain financial forecasts.

Personal Finance News

• Going with your usual 18% or will you be springing for a full 20% or more? MSNBC offers a practical guide to holiday tipping during a downturn.
• CNN Money suggests 5 ways to pump up your income plus an estimate of just how much extra you can earn.
• 12 tips to make the most of your Black Friday shopping trip from Deal Seeking Mom. Number 8 is to bring snacks and water… Number 6 reminds you to research prices ahead of time… and read on to find out the rest!
• MainStreet is on the right track with holiday charity: gifts with good karma.
• 20SomethingFinance blogs on the five worst twenty-something personal finance blunders; even for those of you who’ve “been there, done that,” check out this insightful read!

Credit Report & Credit Score News

• Dual Income No Kids Finance warns not to open new credit cards just to increase available credit unless you are really need it; find out more short steps to improving your credit score.
• If you’ve ever wondered the effect of foreclosure, short sale, and bankruptcy on your credit score, Five Cent Nickel discusses the range of points your credit score will drop.
• Keep up with Rich Credit Debt Loan’s series on what determines a credit score, part 2.
• The Star-Ledger answers the consumer question, will opting out of rate hike affect my credit score down the line?