Many people have tapped into their 401(k) plans as a way to get money to pay their bills. That money probably offered a short-term cash cushion, but it also has long-term tax consequences, particularly for those who were under the age of 59 ½ at the time of their withdrawal. In such cases, cashing out […]
Should You Use Your Retirement Money to Pay Bills? Read More »
I’m often shocked at the ways in which many people in their 20s, 30s and 40s carelessly share personal information about themselves in very public ways. We’ve all heard of people over-sharing on Facebook and Twitter, doing things like telling other when they’re away from their home or exactly when and where they’re traveling, or
4 Reasons You Must Protect Your Identity, SSN and Sensitive Documents Read More »
Unless your child attends a private or parochial school with mandatory uniforms, you’re probably clothes shopping right about now to find new outfits for the kids to wear this back to school season. Discount stores such as Target and Wal-Mart are a good place to head, however, consignment and resale shops are even better if
3 Tips for Back-to-School Clothes Shopping on a Dime Read More »
I’ve been telling people for years that best way to pay off credit card debt isn’t necessarily to pay off high interest rate credit card debt first – and now, finally, a research study backs up what I’ve been saying. Before I tell you about the research, however, let me first explain why I disagree
Want to Get Out of Debt? Don’t Do This! Read More »
Q: If I have an overdue account at a health club, and the club sent me to a collection agency, will this go against my report? I was told that health clubs do not get reported. A: It’s not true that health club bills that are overdue or that go into collections don’t get reported to
Will My Overdue Health Club Bill Appear on My Credit Report? Read More »
If your child needs child support for basic expenses such as food, clothing and shelter, the bad news is that there is no federal law or national set of guidelines to determine how child support is calculated. Each state in America has its own rules, laws and guidelines for calculating child support. Generally, however, a
How is Child Support Calculated? Here are Basics Read More »
Saving money can be particularly tough on one or even two income households in today’s economy. But there are many money-saving strategies that can boost your bank account and help you save a few hundred dollars per month. Here are some ideas: Save on Your Current Housing Some of the ways you can cut your
How to Save Money on a Tight Budget Read More »
With so many marriages and divorces among celebrities, it’s not surprising that famous couples that break up often have disputes over child support – just like other couples that call it quits. What may be surprising, though, are the huge amounts of money that high-profile people are often legally required to pay for their children.
During Child Support Awareness Month in August, and even during the rest of the year, it’s important to be mindful of the facts about child support. Child support is money paid to cover some or all of a child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, housing, education and childcare. Some child support orders may also
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Child Support Read More »
Child Support Awareness Month occurs in August each year. So it’s a perfect time for all of us to reflect on the children we know – in our families and communities – and to question whether they’re getting the parental support they need and deserve. I have very strong personal feelings about child support after
Child Support: A Personal Story From The Money Coach Read More »
Q: Hi. I keep hearing that only a small number of people can discharge private loans in bankruptcy and I want to know what makes them eligible? I owe over $100,000 in student loans for a degree I never finished. I have multiple health issues and have not worked in years and want to know
Do I Qualify To Have My Student Loans Discharged? Read More »
The Federal Trade Commission halted two operations that deceived consumers who were looking for help dealing with their debts, including one firm that tricked people by impersonating federal government agencies. The two firms agreed to settlements with the FTC that ban them from the business of debt relief services.
Firms Banned From Offering Debt Relief Services Read More »
Q: Will my credit score go up when I pay the balance due of my auto repossession of or will it stay the same?
Will Paying Off an Auto Repossession Raise My Credit Score? Read More »
When the debt load you’re carrying is simply too much to bear, you might have considered filing for bankruptcy protection. Filing for bankruptcy has become increasingly common the past three years thanks to the economic downturn and job cuts across numerous industries. The American Bankruptcy Institute reports that about 1.5 million personal bankruptcy cases were
Avoid These Common Mistakes Or Your Bankruptcy Filing Will Be Rejected Read More »
Just because the summer temperatures are rising, that doesn’t mean you should burn a hole through your wallet and your hard-earned cash. In fact, right now is the perfect time to think about saving money, lots of it. Here are three ways to save thousands of dollars this summer – and beyond – by focusing
3 Ways To Save Thousands of Dollars This Summer With Freebies Read More »
