After a day of shopping for new furniture at the furniture store, you come home to find that one of the tables is chipped or cracked. Or maybe you just bought a gift item from a retail store only to later find that a part of it is scratched or broken. If you made the […]
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Wrong Student Loan Amount: Being charged the wrong amount for a student loan can be frustrating—especially when you’ve made your payments on time and in full. With multiple loan accounts and varying billing cycles, it’s easy for errors to slip through the cracks. Whether your payments have been misapplied or not credited at all, it’s
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A reader of AskTheMoneyCoach.com wanted to know how to increase her credit score while she is still in school. She wrote me saying: “Hello, Lynnette. I’m a 60‑year‑old woman who has returned to school. I’ve taken out federal loans in the amount of $8,000. The loans have been deferred for as long as I remain in
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Prospective homeowners often ask me what they can do to buy a home – and get into the house of their dreams quickly. Frankly, not everyone should buy a house. There are lots of rights and responsibilities that go along with homeownership. And as I explain in my book, Your First Home, if you’re not
10 Practical Tips to Prepare to Buy a Home This Year Read More »
A Message For Those Deep in Debt or Facing Money Problems: Feeling overwhelmed by debt or buried under money problems can make even the strongest among us feel helpless. Whether you’re trying to balance bills with raising a family, navigating a tough job market, or healing from personal loss—know this: you’re not alone, and there’s
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You’re probably somewhat stressed if you’re in the throws of finishing your federal income tax return. After all, Monday, April 15, 2013 is the tax-filing deadline to get that 1040 for the 2012 tax year shipped off to Uncle Sam. But just because you’re under time constraints doesn’t mean the IRS is going to give
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In a previous article I explained one of the most important personal tax credits offered to U.S. taxpayers, the adoption tax credit. If you’ve recently adopted a child, you may be eligible for an healthy tax savings, courtesy of the federal government. That’s because Uncle Sam recognizes that adopting a child serves the public good.
Tax Tips: 10 Things to Know About the Adoption Tax Credit Read More »
f those credit card balances just never seem to disappear or you’re drowning in debt, you need a realistic payoff plan to get your financial house back in order. According to CreditCards.com, the average credit card debt per household with credit card debt in 2012 was $15,956. That’s a significant debt load for the typical
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Summer is only a few months away and if you’re already eager to start planning that warm-weather getaway, now is a great time to start saving up some cash for the cost of the trip. According to a 2012 travel survey conducted by American Express, the average cost of a summer vacation, per person,
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Transferring your credit card balances (balance transfers) can be an effective way to save on interest you would otherwise accumulate on a high-interest credit card, and can also increase your credit score as you clear up your credit lines. However, there are some things you need to be aware of before you authorize that transfer.
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A reader of AskTheMoneyCoach.com wanted to know what to do about tens of thousands of dollars worth of credit card debt, as well as thousands of dollars in student loans debt that she’s facing. She was wondering whether she should pay off that debt by selling a vacation home she owns – especially because
Should I Sell My Home to Pay Credit Card Debt? Read More »
A secured credit card is typically a good option for those who might have thin credit, or perhaps no credit. Maybe you have bad credit because you’ve had credit problems in the past. Don‘t think that the entire world of credit is closed to you, because frankly nothing could be further from the truth.
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Approximately 1.2 million Americans filed for bankruptcy in 2012 and more than 1 million more individuals are expected to go bankrupt in 2013. Continued layoffs, foreclosures, rising healthcare costs and mounting credit-card debts are all still taking a toll on many people. If you’ve thought about filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy as
How Much Does it Cost to File for Bankruptcy Protection? Read More »
Whether you’re still struggling to stay within your personal budget each month or just want to get better at managing your money, you need to put together a realistic budget and set some goals that inspire you to stay on track. If you’re a chronic spender or a person who can’t seem to forecast monthly
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Discover how to negotiate with creditors effectively using 5 proven strategies. Learn how to lower interest rates, set repayment plans, and avoid financial stress.
Negotiate with Creditors: 5 Proven Strategies to Reduce Debt Read More »
