Q: Hello Ms. Khalfani-Cox. Is it better to work with a debt management company and pay off a lot of creditors every month over a long period of time (I would be paying off the full amount of the debt… not settling (debt settlement)). Or is it best to contact each creditor who has reported me to the […]
Will Credit Counseling Hurt My Credit Rating? Read More »
What’s the biggest threat to your future retirement security? If you guessed the disappearance of Social Security, getting downsized in the years before you’d planned to retire, or even losing a bundle in the stock market, you’d be wrong on all counts. The biggest hazard to your financial stability in retirement is something you’ve probably
The Shocking Threat to Your Retirement: It’s Not What You Think Read More »
If you’re driving an automobile, or are about to purchase a new or used vehicle, it’s smart to make sure you have the proper amount of auto insurance at the best price available. Unfortunately, many people are paying far too much for auto insurance, simply because they’ve not taken the time to educate themselves or
3 Ways To Get the Best Price on Auto Insurance Read More »
Summer time is when many of us get a bit lax with our finances – and it’s easy to see why. The weather is nice outside, the kids may be off from school, and vacation or travel plans beckon. None of this puts you in the mindset of watching your bills or sticking to a
Financial Fixes for 3 Sneaky Summer Expenses Read More »
Seven out of 10 college graduates in the U.S. have student loans, and if you’re one of them – or if you’ll need to borrow soon for higher education – you should know your loan options. In the student loan market, there are two main types of loans: federal student loans and private student loans.
Comparing Federal and Private Student Loans Read More »
New student loan legislation signed by President Barack Obama will lower borrowing costs for millions of Americans with college debt. The President signed an executive order that expands a 2010 law that allows borrowers to cap their federal student loan repayments at 10% of their income. Among the provisions in the legislation, college grads will
Obama Gives Student Loan Relief to Millions with College Debt Read More »
Q: I recently found a car I really liked and could afford, however, when auto dealer at Toyota wanted to run my credit, (over phone, by the way) with my approval, he called back and said, no credit history is coming up on all three reports…I just pulled all three credit history reports with scores, with no
Can I Get a Car Loan with No Credit History? Read More »
College students spend about $1,200 a year on books and supplies, according to the latest data from the College Board. That’s a lot of cash. But believe it or not, the National Association of College Stores reports that spending on college textbooks is actually on the decline. Textbook expenditures are heading south due to two
How to Use the Library to Save $1,000 or More In College Read More »
Getting your free credit reports is an important aspect of managing your credit and keeping tabs on your overall finances. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay for this. You can actually access each of your credit files online, instantly, and free of charge. Just go to http://www.AnnualCreditReport.com. That is the federally-mandated website that the government has ordered the credit bureaus
How To Get Your Free Credit Reports Step-by-Step Read More »
If your child will be going off to college one day, you may be wondering how to qualify for financial aid. There are two types of financial aid students can get for higher education: need-based aid and merit aid. Need based aid is tied to your family’s economic circumstances, and it takes into account
How to Qualify For Financial Aid Read More »
You might not know it, but May 20th is “Be a Millionaire Day.” I have no idea who thought of this “holiday.” But I do know that it’s never a bad time to set some financial goals. And if being a millionaire is one of your goals, it can help to start thinking like a
5 Tips to Think Like and Become a Millionaire Read More »
Q: I live in California and have a defaulted private student loan that has been bought by an attorney who now has filed a court judgment. I will appear in court to dispute but would like to know recommendations or what I can to do. A: Since you have a court case pending, you should contact
Facing Court Over a Defaulted Private Student Loan? Here’s What to Do Read More »
The racist comments made by Los Angeles Clippers Owner Donald Sterling is the talk of the sports world and the nation right now. Even President Barack Obama has weighed in on the matter. In case you missed all the social media discussion, media interviews or stories about the scandal, here’s a quick recap.
Sterling Learns How Racism Can Cost You Money – And Much More Read More »
As the school year comes toward a close, hundreds of thousands of high school teens will enroll in pre-college programs, including some very expensive programs that cost $1,500 or more per week. But pricey pre-college programs aren’t the only options for teenagers who want to spend their summers in a productive way. Teens can also
Free Summer Alternatives to Pricey Pre-College Programs Read More »
Q: Should I settle in full on an account that has already been closed or charged off? Or should I demand a paid in full receipt once we have a negotiated amount? A: Without knowing the specific type of debt involved, what state you’re in, and how old the debt is, it’s hard for me
Should You Pay a Charged Off Debt? Read More »
