Credit cards can be scary, but they can also be a great tool to help build credit. Here is a tip for using credit cards responsibly: choose one household bill that is about the same amount every month, such as a cell phone bill. Set up your credit card to automatically pay that one bill, and then have your bank account automatically pay your credit card. That way you are using a small amount of credit every month and always paying it off, and there are no surprises! Then you can leave the card at home so you aren't tempted to use it for impulse purchases.

Innovative Changes and CASH Oregon are doing a Family Economic Opportunity Research project at tax time. We are enrolling 160 families in a research assignment on the role that the earned income tax credit has on our families' economic opportunities.  Each family will fill in three short surveys over the course of 90 days. You will be paid $40 for turning in survey #1, $40 for survey #2 and $50 for survey #3. The surveys and all related communications will be done in English and Spanish.