spend Lynnette Khalfani-Cox

7 Tips to Manage Your Budget When Your Spouse Loves to Spend

  You may be very disciplined with your spending habits and don’t have trouble sticking to a budget. But what happens when your significant other has a completely different money personality and loves to spend? Money issues present challenges for many couples – especially those that have conflicting money personalities or different spending habits. Learning […]

7 Tips to Manage Your Budget When Your Spouse Loves to Spend Read More »

A notice on a bulletin board reads "Time sheets due today!" with timesheet documents pinned below it, reminding everyone to ensure their take home pay is accurate.

7 Smart Ways to Increase Your Take Home Pay Without Changing Jobs

7 Smart Ways to Increase Your Take Home Pay Without Changing Jobs: If you’re putting in long hours and love where you work but still wish your paycheck stretched further, you’re not alone. Many professionals wonder how to increase their income without changing employers. The good news? You don’t need a new job to improve

7 Smart Ways to Increase Your Take Home Pay Without Changing Jobs Read More »

pay off credit card debt

Making the Mental Decision to Pay Off Credit Card Debt

If you have cash in the bank, should you use it to pay off your credit card debt? The answer: absolutely. Here’s the mental dilemma some of you are facing: it’s not that you can’t really afford to pay off your debt. It’s just you can’t psychologically bear to part with that hard‑earned cash you’re

Making the Mental Decision to Pay Off Credit Card Debt Read More »

A sharpened red pencil points to the word "refinance" on a document, signaling its importance.

Can I Refinance My Mortgage if I Have Bad Credit?

If you’re hoping to refinance your mortgage, but are worried about having bad credit, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that you can get a new home loan, and bad credit alone won’t stop you from refinancing your existing house note. The bad news is that a poor credit rating will

Can I Refinance My Mortgage if I Have Bad Credit? Read More »

A person holding a jar labeled "Coins for College" stands on a street with parked cars and trees in the background, symbolizing a heartfelt effort to avoid student loans.

4 Smart Ways to Pay For College or Grad School Without Student Loans

If you want to pursue an undergraduate degree or you’re considering going to graduate school but want avoid taking out student loans, there are alternative ways to pay for higher education costs. Here are four smart ways to pay for college or grad school without student loans.

4 Smart Ways to Pay For College or Grad School Without Student Loans Read More »

Two stones of varying sizes and colors are balanced on a flat, horizontal stone, which itself is artfully positioned through balance transfer on a single round stone.

Balance Transfer Offers Pros and Cons

If you’re thinking about doing a credit card balance transfer, you may have a lot of questions or worries about whether or not you’re getting a good deal. It’s smart to ask questions upfront, because not every balance transfer offer is a good one. So here’s how to know whether you should transfer a balance

Balance Transfer Offers Pros and Cons Read More »

Black graduation cap with a purple tassel and a rolled-up diploma tied with a red ribbon, placed against a white background, symbolizing the start of student loan repayment.

Student Loan Repayment Plan Options

  If you have federal student loans, you actually have numerous options from which to choose in order to repay those college debts. All of the payment plans generally range from as few as 10 years to as long as 25 years. The exact term and the repayment plan options that are granted to you

Student Loan Repayment Plan Options Read More »

loan modification scam

Is This Loan Modification Offer Legitimate or a Scam?

A reader of AskTheMoneyCoach.com is dealing with a potential foreclosure situation. Of course, they’re trying to avoid foreclosure. This individual is interested in getting a loan modification and has gotten an offer for help. The dilemma this person is facing, however, is, whether or not this company offering loan modification services is indeed reputable and

Is This Loan Modification Offer Legitimate or a Scam? Read More »

A person stands in front of a blackboard with "Student Loan? Tuition Costs!" written on it, appearing to scratch their head in confusion, possibly contemplating student loan deferment options.

Student Loan Deferment and Forbearance Explained

When you get a federal student loan deferment or forbearance, it’s a way for the government to allow you to temporarily postpone making repayments on your student loans, or to alter the terms of your debt repayment schedule. Any period where you have a deferment or forbearance doesn’t count towards the maximum length of time

Student Loan Deferment and Forbearance Explained Read More »

Close-up of a hand holding a pen, signing a check for $975.00 to repay a debt.

Here Are a Few Incentives to Repay Your Student Loans

As tough as it may be to repay your student loans, there actually are several incentives for you to pay off those college debts and to do so on time. Essentially, you can get one or more repayment incentives as a way to encourage you to make those student loan payments in a timely fashion.

Here Are a Few Incentives to Repay Your Student Loans Read More »

student loan due

When is My First Student Loan Payment Due?

A reader wanted to know when they have to make their first student loan payment after college. Generally speaking, you have to make your first payment on federal student loans six months after you leave school. This applies to the person who graduates, somebody who drops out of school, or even those who simply fall

When is My First Student Loan Payment Due? Read More »

A document titled "Credit History" is on a desk next to a calculator, eyeglasses, and a pen, with VantageScore prominently highlighted at the top.

Credit Bureaus Roll Out a New CreditScore: VantageScore 3.0

If you’ve never heard of the VantageScore it’s time you got up to speed about the changing landscape within the credit industry. You already know that the higher your credit score, the more positively banks, creditors and others view you. But many people mistakenly think that the only credit score they have is a FICO

Credit Bureaus Roll Out a New CreditScore: VantageScore 3.0 Read More »

Scroll to Top