Dear Mary: I am fairly certain that we have a good credit score, but I have no idea how to find out what our score is. I don't want to sign up for any of those ads you see on TV, nor do I want to fall prey to any scams out there. Is there a way to find out what your credit score is without signing up for anything? -- Jenny C., California

Dear Jenny: Are you persistent? Can you walk through the equivalent of a minefield? Then you, too, can get your credit score, for a fee of course. (Only your credit report is free once annually.) There are several ways to get your score. Each of the credit bureaus creates its own version for your spending convenience.

However, if you want the one that most lenders use, go to www.myFICO.com. Now the fun begins because even this site will want way too much of your money. Click on "Products." Scroll down, skipping over anything that says "Kit" or "Monitoring" or "Complete." Almost at the bottom, you will find "FICO Standard" for $15.95. This is a one-time purchase of your FICO score.

As you leave the site, notice that even the FICO people want to sign you up for a new credit card.

And a loan. And why not? They're in business with Experian, the credit bureau whose business depends on the billions of active credit accounts in this country. Notice, and then just walk on by.

Dear Mary: Thank you for making us more knowledgeable about all the little everyday but very important things. I want to share with you my experience with www.RepairClinic.com. I'd been looking for stovetop knobs for an old model and found them there. I placed my order, and it was easy and fast. Great service! I'm very happy, and I thought I'd share that with you. -- Araceli M., e-mail

Dear Araceli: Great news! You know Repair Clinic is one of my favorites and a valued sponsor of my daily e-mails (www.EverydayCheapskate.com). Repair Clinic proved invaluable when my dishwasher broke; they found the parts for me and walked me through the repairs step by step. Thanks to Chris Hall and all the repair gurus over there at www.RepairClinic.com.

Do you have a question for Mary? E-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 17 books, including "Debt-Proof Living." To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
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