Soft inquiries – even lots of them – will not bump off or remove hard inquiries on your credit reports. This is because all inquiries stay on your credit report for two years, and hard inquiries count against you, for the purposes of calculating your FICO scores, for one year. What Is the Difference Between […]
Can You Bump Hard Inquiries Off Your Credit Report By Monitoring With Soft Inquiries? Read More »
Question: I have a question from one of my readers, who wanted to know about what to do with regard to student loans that they’re not able to pay. The person said, “I currently have about $30,000 in student‑loan debt and have not been financially able to make any payments in about two years. I’ve been
Are There Any Programs That Can Help Pay Off My Student Loans? Read More »
Here is an article from ConsumerUnion.org that warns consumers about the new Kardashian Kard which they claim is loaded with hidden fees and weak consumer protections when compared to other prepaid debit cards. “There’s nothing glamorous about a prepaid card that comes with a bunch of hidden fees and other gotchas,” said Suzanne Martindale, Policy
Kardashian Kard Gets Thumbs Down – ConsumerUnion.org Read More »
Despite the bona fide assistance out there, it’s harder than ever for many consumers to separate trustworthy foreclosure assistance companies from the bogus ones. And with unemployment and mortgage delinquencies remaining stubbornly high, con artists from coast to coast are increasingly preying upon Americans going through hard economic times. This year, for instance, officials in
Foreclosure Rescue Scams: How to Recognize Bogus Mortgage Help Read More »
Regulators and consumer advocates alike are warning Americans about a growing number of credit repair scams nationwide. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission reached a $14.4 million settlement with a Florida-based credit repair agency, which made big promises to consumers and offered little in return. The FTC’s actions were part of a larger, two-year crackdown, called
4 Ways to Spot a Credit Repair Scam Read More »
Listen to Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach during her appearance on The Daily Drum with host Harold Fisher. The Daily Drum is broadcast on Howard University Radio, WHUR-FM 96.3 FM. During this interview Lynnette talks about: How to eliminate your credit card debt How Lynnette got into debt? How Lynnette negotiated with her creditors How
Lynnette Khalfani-Cox on The Daily Drum WHUR 96.3 Howard University Radio Read More »
With each passing year, more people are heading online rather than to the mall to get their holiday shopping done. But online shoppers need to beware the dangers that come with the comfort of shopping from home, the Better Business Bureau warns. Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving) has officially replaced Black Friday (the day
Top 10 Cyber Monday Tips for Safe Online Shopping Read More »
What’s your image of a happy retirement? Does it involve lazy days on a beach, traveling the world or pursuing a favorite pastime? Or maybe volunteering? Or are you finally planning to get to all those projects around the house that you’ve put off for years? Whatever your ideal scenario, you’ll want to make sure
5 Financial Secrets to a Happy Retirement Read More »
No matter what your goals, you should know that writing your plans out gives you a far better shot at making them happen. In fact, written goal-setting is a phenomenally powerful act, as demonstrated by a number of high-profile cases. For instance, a 1953 study from Yale University surveyed the graduating class that year. Back
Why You Should Put Your Financial Goals in Writing Read More »
I don’t think that I’m alone in battling a split personality when it comes to money. I believe many of us have divided selves as it pertains to our finances. For instance, the Mr. Hyde in me will allow bills (and paychecks, believe it or not) to go unopened for days. The Hyde part of
Do You Have A Split Personality When it Comes to Money? Read More »
If you had asked me before today if you could get get locked up for having outstanding credit card bills, I would have said: Absolutely not. After all, debtors’ prisons in the United States were abolished in the middle of the19th century. Unfortunately, however, a frightening and little-known occurrence is taking place in cities all
Deep in Debt? You Could Get Locked Up! Read More »
Don’t pay them anything. Send a cease and desist letter in which you tell them to stop contacting you. Harassing people about debts (old debts, like yours, or current ones) is illegal under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
How to handle harassment by a collection agency Read More »
If the person that is your spouse, you need to file a request for what the IRS calls “innocent spouse relief”. Get IRS form 8857 to do this. If not, you should still notify the IRS and Federal authorities that you have been the victim of fraud and identity theft. Lock down your credit reports by getting a credit freeze and putting a fraud alert on your credit files with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
What To Do If Someone Filed A Tax Return In Your Name And Stole Your Credit Identity Read More »
Leave the credit cards at home.
As a matter of practice, leave your credit cards at home more often than not. Having credit cards, charge cards, and department-store cards in your wallet or purse makes it easy to make spur-of-the-moment shopping trips. You’ll think more about your spending practices if you have to part with your hard-earned dollars versus whipping out a credit card. Moreover, people tend to spend more when they use plastic instead of cash.
Eight Ways to Stop Emotional Spending Read More »
A woman is in a 5 year debt management program but wants to get out of it. What should she do?
How to Get Out of a Debt Management Program Read More »
