Erin, I replaced my brakes earlier this year, and it was a fiscal world of hurt. Combined with the cost of new tires -- I feel you.

And we're down to one car, because I'M SUPPOSED TO DRIVE TO TOPEKA THURSDAY to rip the KS driver control people a new set of assholes. And we're driving to the Ozarks on Friday.

With, you know, OUR CHILD.

Goddammit.

That's it. D doesn't want a credit card, and we both have suck-ass credit, so we will have to get a shitty one, but we are getting a goddamned emergency credit card.

Erin, Household gave me a Mastercard when my credit rating was in the "suck-ass" range. Granted, it was only for $300, but they've done a good job of boosting that up every year as long as I made my payments on time.

Doesn't it help your credit score to have a low-limit card you use some and pay regularly? I don't know.

I got a notice under my door knocker over the weekend that they were doing "inspections" today, but I totally forgot and left my apartment a DISASTER this morning, generally and in some embarassing particulars. Oops. And I know they actually came because they didn't lock my door all the way. Oh well.

Things Casper has said in the last 15 minutes:
Dad, this isn't origami world.
Does Justin Bieber have a penis?
Have paparazzi ever taken a picture of him going to the bathroom?
Has Justin Bieber ever been camping?
What? I have questions!

flea,

referring to the second item, don't show your son this: [link]

A $300 limit would be exactly what we need in a sitch like this.

Dan has already agreed, so I'll check out Household, and yes, I did mention that we can use it once a month for groceries or gas or something, go home, and pay the balance IMMEDIATELY to improve our rating.

Thanks, guys.

I went to the city shelter and looked at dogs!!!! I am not telling mac. So loud they were, but some cuties.

I got a haircut today - am so happy.

I have an interview tomorrow. I am not really that excited, the people called me from my Monster resume, so not actually something I applied for, but it is an admin position, so we shall see.

I was told my lack of credit cards was one factor in my low credit score. I was trying to get a loan for something and was told that I had "thin" credit - meaning there's not enough positive credit. I only had one credit card and have a long history of paying my bill on time, but it wasn't enough.

I was advised to get at least 2 more credit cards, use them regularly, and make payments on time. I got a store card and a Capital One card and the Capital One card, they'll raise my limit if I have 6 on time payments (which I think I'm getting close to that).

Erin,

also, FWIW, credit agencies like a long credit history with the same account. So get a credit card and keep it for 10+ years. Even if you use it only occasionally.