Today marks the 46th anniversary of the debut of "The Beverly Hillbillies," a TV show that began its nine-season run on Sept. 26, 1962. The series featured the Clampett family, which relocated from the Ozarks to Beverly Hills after finding oil in their local swamp. Despite newfound wealth, the family stayed true to their rural roots. So this Friday, I've loaded up the truck with 10 hillbilly-themed credit card blog items!
1. Some people think they are building credit wisely, but they blunder about like Daisy "Granny" Moses with her 12-gauge. Trent at The Simple Dollar explains how to build your credit history the safe and smart way.
2. When the Beverly Hillbillies struck oil, they moved from the backwoods to Hollywood but stayed true to their redneck identities, which were never stolen (who would want them?). Ask Mr Credit Card discusses legislation about to be signed into law that would provide new identity theft protection.
3. Jed Clampett and his family got themselves a see-ment pond when they went from rags to riches, but money can flow the other direction, too. You might go from riches to rags if your bank crashes and burns. Money Under 30 explains how to check whether your bank will survive.
4. Don't be blissfully ignorant like Jed's cousin's son, Jethro Bodine: Many offers for free credit reports are baloney. Zen Personal Finance gives the lowdown on the only place you can to get a truly free credit report and explains the difference between a credit score and credit report.
5. The conniving, greedy banker Mr. Drysdale was always after the Clampetts' heapin' helpin' of money. Sometimes the credit card companies make it obvious that they're after your money, too. The Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights was intended to protect consumers from this. Did your local representative vote for or against the bill? Finance and Fat reveals how you can find out.
6. Jethro did his best to find a decent job. He tried to be a Hollywood celebrity, a brain surgeon, and even a spy. But his basic honesty would have prevented him from being a good credit card marketer. The Consumerist highlights a CNN interview with former credit card marketers, who admit that they made millions for their companies by convincing consumers that "they needed to borrow more money than they thought they did."
7. When the Clampetts suddenly came into money, the family bought a mansion (and some wigs to ward off Injuns), but they didn't go wild like one of Elly May's critters; they kept their rural clothes and clunky old truck. Had they gotten credit cards, they may have been tempted to spend much more. Well, I'll be danged, says Get Rich Slowly: People do spend more when purchasing on credit.
8. When you fall into unexpected money as the Clampetts did, you may not even need to work again. Students, on the other hand, are making job decisions based purely on salary so they can pay off loans rather than experience job satisfaction, CreditBloggers says. Take a job you hate for an awful boss just for the money? Jane Hathaway would relate.
9. Mr. Drysdale was nicknamed "Dracula Drysdale" when he was a stateside sergeant in World War II because he charged 40 percent daily interest on loans. Blunt Money hasn't borrowed from Drysdale, but has come to realize that it is not a good idea to rely on credit for emergency purchases.
10. Consumerism Commentary disagrees and thinks credit can be a major part of an emergency plan. Perhaps, but don't go heavy on credit to create a lifestyle you can't afford, full of swimmin' pools and movie stars.
That's it for now. See you next week! I'm off to get some vittles.
Hi Emily
Thanks for including our post.
Mr CC