Things you may want to know about Money 

• How to know if the Education Dept. is Forgiving Your Student Loan

  1. You must qualify by being a longtime borrower on a income-driven repayment plan. Income driven repayment plans are based on a borrower's income, not the amount borrowed. Here's the catch, f you’re a student loan borrower on an income-driven repayment plan who has made at least 20 years of payments, you should see your remaining balances wiped out in coming weeks.

  2. Eligible borrowers started to be notified as of July 14. If you believe you qualify, you should see your loan balances automatically discharged or reduced in the coming weeks.

For the millions of borrowers not on income-driven repayment plans, here's a guide to getting your repayment plan in order and exploring other loan forgiveness options that may still be on the table.

• Three things that all credit card holders need to know 

  1. 1. You should stay way under your credit limit - Try not to spend more than 30% of your credit limit. This percentage is known as your credit utilization rate and it makes up 30% of your credit score.

     2. Don't be afraid to swipe - In order to build a strong credit score, lenders and credit card issuers need to see that you're actually using credit. If there is no credit for the credit bureaus to scrutinize, you're damaging your credit health.

     3. Always pay off your card in full - In order to avoid paying those intimidating interest rates, damaging your credit score, or descending into a life of debt, always pay your credit card balance on time and in full.

• Three Credit Cards that Give you free Checked Bags Open an airline credit card account and avoid those obscene checked bag fees.

  1. Alaska Airline Visa - Allows you to check a first bag for free for you and up to six additional passengers on the same reservation.

  2. Delta SkyMiles Cards - Allows one free checked bag for the cardholder and eight others traveling on the same itinerary, so long as you attach your Delta SkyMiles number to your reservation.

  3. United Explorer Card - Allows first bag free for you and a companion on your reservation. You must provide your MileagePlus number during reservation.

Technology Tips

Tips for staying healthy

• Three Things That Could Save Your Life If You're Immunocompromised

1. Stay on top of your boosters - The good news is that you are good to go if you just get the bivalent booster; this is the only booster that works on current variants.

2. Know what COVID looks like right now - With each subvariant, symptoms change. The most common symptoms have been a loss of taste and smell, frequent sneezing, and lingering headache.

3. Have a Plan if you get infected - Currently Paxlovid is the only intervention we have against COVID. You need to ensure that you'd be a candidate and know where you can get it. Your plan should go beyond getting tested and receiving medications, you should also know who to call for help in getting groceries, taking care of a pet, or checking in on you.

• What to do When You Get Chills While Working Out 

If you suddenly start shivering during exercise, take it seriously, but don't freak out. Getting chills while working out is usually a sign that you should slow down, try to cool off, and drink more water. Ideally, the chills should dissipate once you cool down. If you experience dizziness, nausea, cramps, extreme fatigue, vomiting or a headache that does not go away after a half hour or so of resting in a cool place and drinking liquids, seek medical attention - it could be heat exhaustion or heat stroke. 

• Wash Your Dryer Filter 

Yeah, we didn't know this was a thing either! You know those dryer sheets that smell so good? Well, they cause an invisible film to form on your dyer filter, which can cut the life of your dryer in half. Take your filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush at least every six months.

Food Hacks

Useful food hacks to keep you safe and healthy 

• Make Your Bananas Last Longer – Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem in a bunch, they ripen faster

• Pepper Shopping Hacks – Fun fact! Peppers with three bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with four bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

• Frying Ground Beef – Add a teaspoon of water. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

• Keep Salad Fresh – Place a paper towel in your bag or bowl of salad mix. It will absorb moisture and help it last a lot longer.

Garden Hacks