Home / Content / Books / Build and Protect Your Credit Like the Pros: Go from beginner to expert, raise your credit score, and secure your finances

Build and Protect Your Credit Like the Pros: Go from beginner to expert, raise your credit score, and secure your finances

Build your credit profile in the best way so that you avoid mistakes and gain respect. Easy to read, down to earth. By the time you finish, you will know more about how the credit system works than 98 percent of the U.S. population. You will be in control of your own credit score. With top tier credit, you save tens of thousands of dollars on everything from auto insurance premiums to mortgage interest rates.Guidance from one of America's top and most beloved credit and mortgage experts, the author of Repair Your Credit Like the Pros.

Carolyn Warren has been called a blessing, a godsend, and the Mother Theresa of mortgage loans. Bob Brinker of "Money Talk" radio rated her work "a 12 out of 10." Perfect for young adults opening their first credit cards, immigrants to the U.S., or anyone who wants to become an expert in how the credit scoring system works and take total charge of their own finances.

Buy The Book

Carolyn Warren

After getting fed up with what was going on in the mortgage business, I wrote Mortgage Rip-Offs and Money Savers, a book that became The Washington Post’s August 2008 Book Club pick-of-the-month and earned reviews in leading newspapers ranging from The Boston Globe to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Repair Your Credit Like the Pros is an informational, do-it-yourself guide to credit improvement. I have over two decades of experience in the mortgage industry and worked for some of the nation’s leading retail and wholesale lenders.

Present Employment: Senior Loan Officer, NMLS 1284134, WA First Mortgage NMLS 854647. I am licensed to do mortgage loans in California and Washington.

Savings Calculator

Total Savings:

$ 8,785

We provide over $4,500 in available savings per member. Use our calculator to see how your purchases can add up using Mentobo.

Automotive Savings

$ 3,458

How many vehicles do you own?

How many oil changes do you receive for each of your vehicles each year?

It's important to get 4 oil changes annually to properly maintain the condition of your vehicle. With the cost of an oil change averaging $40 and our 15% off savings perk, you can expect to save around $6 per oil change with Mentobo.

$48

How much do you spend annually on maintenance and repairs for each of your vehicles?

It's not unusual to experience a $150 car repair annually for each of your vehicles. With our 15% member-only discount at every Firestone nationwide, you can expect to save at least $22.50 per repair.

$45

How many tires do you replace for each of your vehicles every 3 to 4 years?

You should try to replace each of your vehicle's tires once every 3-4 years. With an average cost of $120 per tire and up to 15% off through our savings network, you can expect to save around $72 per vehicle.

$144

How many new vehicles do you purchase every 5 years?

If you're in the market for a brand new vehicle, then you'll be able to benefit from one of our most valuable perks. Employees save an average of $3,221 off MSRP through our network of more than 10,000 dealerships nationwide.

$3,221

Travel & Family Entertainment Savings

$ 1,611

How many nights a year do you rent a hotel room or vacation home?

Whether you're planning a family vacation or a quick business trip, you'll save up to 15% at more than 70,000 hotels across 50 countries through our Travel Center. With rooms averaging $75 - $130 a night, you'll easily save $15 per night.

--> What percentage of your accommodations cost between $50 - $100?

$188

--> What percentage of your accommodations cost between $100 - $150?

$813

--> What percentage of your accommodations cost more than $150?

$150

How much do you spend every year on car rentals?

When it comes to renting a car, we've partnered with the industry leaders to save you up to 25% on your next family vacation or business trip.

$125

How many admission tickets do you purchase annually for major theme parks and attractions? (i.e.: Sea World, Busch Gardens, Disney World, etc.)?

With gate prices at major theme parks and attractions averaging $100, you can expect to save anywhere from $10 - $40 on every admission ticket you purchase through Mentobo.

$160

How many total admission tickets do you purchase annually for zoos, aquariums, and local theme parks or water parks?

General admission to local attractions, including water parks, city tours, zoos, and aquariums, can range from $10 - $65 per person. With up to 40% savings through Mentobo, you can save more than $5 on almost every ticket you buy.

$75

How many movie tickets do you purchase annually?

With easy online ordering, printable eTickets on demand, and integrated showtimes and trailers, we've put everything you need for your next movie night at your fingertips. Plus, with discounts up to 35%, a family of four can easily save over $16 on every trip to the movies.

$100

Cellular Phone Savings

$ 144

How many cell phones do you pay for monthly?

With cell phone bills averaging $60/month, our 10% discount from Sprint can instantly save you $72 annually per line.

$144

Concerts & Events Savings

$ 30

How many admission tickets do you purchase annually for concerts and sporting events?

If the average concert or sporting event ticket costs $75, then you can expect to save $7.50 with every ticket you purchase.

$30

Consumer Electronics Savings

$ 476

How many laptops / computers do you purchase every 5 years for yourself or your family?

With a wide variety of discounts available from popular computer brands, you can save up to 25% on every purchase.

--> What price range of laptop / computer do you typically purchase?

$175

How many HDTV's do you purchase every 5 years?

Save up to $500 on flat-screen HDTV's with special member-only discounts at popular brands like Panasonic.

--> What price range of HDTV do you typically purchase?

$88

How many digital cameras and camcorders do you purchase every 5 years?

Consumer electronics are on the rise and you can easily save over $50 per purchase on many products with up to 25% off a variety of items from popular national brands.

--> What is the price range of the digital camera or camcorder that you would typically purchase?

$175

How much would you estimate that you spend annually on accessories for your electronics? (ie: cables, speakers, external hard drives, headphones and batteries.)

Accessories change as frequently as the technology they support. With up to 25% savings on anything from headphones and car chargers, to external hard drives and headphones, you'll enjoy savings on items you use every day.

$38

Home Services

$ 870

Would you consider adding or switching cable television providers at some point over the next 3 years?

By switching Cable Television proviers, you can receive up to a $120 VISA cash card as a rebate and $5 off your monthly bill for up to two years, resulting in an additional $120 in member-only savings.

$120

Would you consider adding or switching home security system providers some point over the next 3 years?

When you activate a new home security system you'll receive free equipment, free installation plus bonus security equipment that's valued at more than $250.

$250

Do you plan to purchase a new home or refinance your current home over the next 5 years?

When you finance or re-finance a home you can receive an exclusive $500 cash back perk at closing from Quicken Loans.

$500

Retail Savings

$ 510

How much do you spend annually on home goods, appliances, sports equipment, school supplies, and clothing?

With 10% savings from Target.com, 15% - 30% off at Office Depot, and 20% - 50% off from fashion retailers like Brooks Brothers, Jos. A Banks, and The Men's Wearhouse, you'll enjoy exclusive member-only savings on everything from home goods to office supplies!

$450

Are you interested in joining or renewing a membership with Sam's Club?

Enjoy a $10 gift card when you join or renew your annual Sam's Club membership.

$10

Are you interested in becoming a Costco member?

Receive $50 in free products and coupons when you join or upgrade your Costco membership.

$50

Personal & Family Services

$ 650

Do you use an online software or personal accountant to prepare your taxes each year?

We've partnered with the experts to make sure that it's never been easier, or faster, to get your taxes done right. With these offers, you can save up to $50 on your annual tax preparation.

Are you interested in professional childcare services?

-45 hours/week of live-in childcare, customized to your family's schedule

$500

Are you interested in obtaining or advancing your college degree with online courses?

-An average weekly cost of only $375/week (per family, not per child)

$150

Gifts

$ 95

How much do you spend annually on personalized, engraved, and photo gifts for family and friends?

The only way to make giving the perfect gift a little sweeter is by adding up to a 20% member-only discount at popular online retailers you can trust.

$45

How much do you spend annually on gift baskets and flowers for family and friends?

Save up to 20% when you reach out and recognize the important people in your life with unique gifts, chocolates, or flowers. With an average flower bouquet costing $40, it's easy for you to save nearly $5 on every gift you give.

$50

Health & Wellness

$ 108

How many prescription eyeglasses or sunglassess do you purchase annually for yourself or your family?

With the cost of prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses averaging $100, your 30% member-only discount can save you $30 on each of your purchases.

$30

How much do you spend annually on contacts?

$20

How much do you spend monthly on prescription medications from your local pharmacy?

Mentobo's digital Pharmacy Card offers 10% - 80% off over 60,000 prescription medications at most local pharmacies nationwide. Savings results vary based on your current healthcare benefits.

How often would you annually take advantage of discounts on lab tests and blood work?

With an average lab test costing around $50, you can expect to save $7.50 on each of your services.

Would you be interested in a membership to a local gym or athletic club?

On average, you can save more than $50 off new memberships at local gyms and fitness centers.

$50

Do you currently receive vision benefits through your current healthcare provider?

On average, you can save 30% on annual eye exams. The median price of an eye exam is $85, giving our members an average savings of $25.

Do you currently receive dental benefits through your current healthcare provider?

On average, our members save 56% on dental checkups, cleanings, and X-Rays with a DentalPlans.com subscription, amounting to over $700 in annual savings compared to the national retail rate average of similar services.

Insurance Services

$ 82

Would you be interested in obtaining a pet insurance policy to help you cover routine and unexpected expenses from your veterinarian?

The average pet insurance plan through VPI costs $600 / year. Our members save 10% on VPI Pet Insurance plans, offering you $60 of annual savings.

$60

Would you be interested in adding a roadside assistance benefit for your family to protect you from vehicle lock-outs, towing expenses, etc.?

Premium roadside assitance plans in the United States covering 2 drivers average $150 / year. Mentobo members save 15% off similar coverage with Complete Auto360 and the National Motor Club.

$22

Food, Grocery & Dining

$ 751

How much do you spend going out to lunch each week?

Based on your weekly lunch budget, you can expect this annual savings number with a 10% average discount from the 30,000+ restaurant discounts available to you throughout the United States and Canada.

$260

How much do you spend going out to dinner each week?

Based on your weekly dinner budget, you can expect this annual savings number with a 10% average discount from the 30,000+ restaurant discounts available to you throughout the United States and Canada.

$416

How much do you spend on pizza every month?

Make it a pizza night! Based on the results of your monthly pizza budget, you can expect this amount in annual savings when you purchas your pizzas through Mentobo.

$75

Books