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 »
Should You Pay Charged-Off Debt? What You Need to Know Charged-off debt is a term many consumers encounter, often with confusion and concern. When a creditor gives up on collecting and writes your account off as a loss, that debt doesn’t just disappear—it stays on your credit report and can haunt your finances for years.
Should You Pay Charged-Off Debt? What You Need to Know Read More »
Financial scams are more common than ever in the U.S., and IRS scams are affecting millions of Americans. Unfortunately, many victims of tax-related financial scams fall for these schemes because they mistakenly think they’re dealing with the IRS, some “government” department, or an “official” representative of a federal, state or local agency. Con men can
IRS Scam Shows 3 Key Differences Between G-Men and Con-Men Read More »
Dealing with unemployment can be a stressful time in your life and you will need to spend some time reworking your budget and ensuring that you are meeting your debt obligations. If you have an auto loan, it is even more important to prioritize your baseline expenses and make sure you are setting aside enough
How to Manage Auto Loan Payments When You’re Suddenly Unemployed Read More »
It’s great to have goals to help you get ahead in life. But setting totally unrealistic goals is one of the most common financial mistakes I see all the time. Maybe it’s human nature. But way too many individuals spend many years – sometimes even decades – getting themselves into financial trouble. Then they want
Are You Guilty of These Financial Mistakes? Read More »
Coping With Divorce When He Is The Primary Breadwinner Q: My husband is leaving after twenty years of marriage. He has been the primary bread winner. I make 25,000 a year doing job a love. I and my adult children will be living together for one year (hopefully). I do not know where to begin with
Coping With Divorce When He Is The Primary Breadwinner Read More »
Paying kids for good grades is a hot topic in parenting circles. Some view it as smart motivation. Others believe it undermines the value of learning. I get the skepticism—but after years of doing it with my own children, I stand by it completely. In our household, an academic allowance isn’t just about cash—it’s about
Why I Pay My Kids for Good Grades—and Why It Might Work for You Too Read More »
If you to want to look good to anyone who’s watching you, it’s important to create a beautiful profile — a beautiful credit profile, that is! Who might be watching you? Lenders, credit card companies, even prospective employers all might want to see your credit report. So it’s important to keep that credit profile gorgeous.
Presenting Your Best Credit Profile Read More »
Being deep in debt isn’t just a threat to reaching your financial goals or having a happy personal relationship, free of arguments about money. Excessive debt can also seriously hold you back in the job market or pursuing a career that is your true passion. Here are 3 careers you can’t have if you’re deep
3 Careers You Can’t Have If You’re Deep In Debt Read More »
