Bright red. Awesome stereo. Plenty of room for all your BFFs. That used car on the lot is one hot ride, and the price is right. You’re a young adult with a pretty solid job, and it fits your budget, so finances shouldn’t be a problem. If only someone would extend you credit.

The truth is, you’re young, a relative newbie in the world of finance, and unfortunately it shows. You have no credit history. No matter how responsible you are, if there’s no financial record of it, getting credit could be difficult.

The last time you were at your parents’ home, you discovered unpaid bills. They had forgotten to pay their gas bill for the past two months. You called the gas company and explained the situation, and then wrote out a check for the amount due, so everything turned out all right. But what if you hadn’t noticed the unpaid bills, and it was the middle of winter? Your parents’ heating could have been shut off.

306,000,000 … and counting. That’s 306 million people, the current population of the United States. The counting part will take place in 2010 with a massive undertaking known as the census, an official headcount of U.S. citizens that happens every ten years.

This counting means census workers are now out in neighborhoods all across the country collecting the preliminary information they’ll need to put together accurate population numbers. Unfortunately, it also means thieves will be out to exploit the situation, posing as official census workers, trying to collect personal information they can use for fraudulent purposes.

Finally! That new computer accessory you bought online came in the mail today … along with the electric bill. While your new toy is sure to get your initial attention, don’t neglect that electric bill. Why? Neglecting bills in general can cost you in a number of ways, not the least of which is causing damage to your credit rating.

Paying bills on time is the single most important thing you can do to cultivate a healthy credit rating, yet many people don’t seem too worried about late payments. As an example, according to a Princeton Survey Research Associates International Study, only 59% of young adults (ages 18-29) pay their monthly bills on time.

Have you ever been burned by love? Really, who hasn’t at some time or other? And while it may have taken you days, weeks or months to recover, you did live to see another sunny day. But were your emotions the only price you paid?

Think of this scenario: You’ve been dating your boyfriend for several months and things are looking rosy. But, in conversation, he’s mentioned a few snags he’s had with his credit. You, on the other hand, have proudly kept your credit history squeaky clean. While it may seem nice or even romantic to think about adding him to your credit card account to help him improve his credit, the gesture may not work as you expect, or could even backfire on you.

MyVantage enrollment continues into week three. Statistics to date:

Number of active accounts:    23,542
Number of members who successfully auto-enrolled:   19,894
Number of e-statements: 24,767

Why is the last statistic such a great success? Because it’s a faster, safer, more efficient way for us to provide your statements. Not to mention, it saves the credit union a lot of money on printing and postage, and, statements remain viewable and available to you indefinitely. The number of e-statements listed above is an increase of 171% over our original number of e-statement enrollees, definitely a step in the right direction for Vantage!

Sometimes debt strains a relationship and couples never recognize it. Breakups, fights, and tension are blamed on more obvious causes instead of the underlying problem of mounting bills and dwindling bank accounts. Here are some tips to help ease the tension and open the lines of communication between couples that are faced with mounting bills.