The Truth About Your Credit Scores and Credit Reports
I get a lot of questions on AskTheMoneyCoach.com from people who want to improve their credit scores or fix issues with their credit reports. This doesn’t surprise me, since your credit can determine everything from your ability to rent an apartment to your auto insurance rates to whether you get hired for a job. If […]
10 Tools You Should Be Using to Save Money
Saving money should be high on your list of goals, no matter what your current financial standing. Most people haven’t saved enough cash for a whole host of things – retirement, their emergency fund, paying for college, not to mention their own personal goals, such as buying a house or starting a business. To save […]
Your Spouse Is Not a Fixer-Upper: Marriage Wisdom from Dr. David Ireland
Whether you’re married or thinking about saying “I do,” one truth is worth remembering: your spouse is not a fixer-upper. At Christ Church in Montclair, New Jersey, Dr. David Ireland, pastor and organizational leadership expert, has long delivered biblically-rooted, practical guidance for healthy relationships. With more than 30 years of marriage to Pastor Marlinda Ireland […]
USA Today Podcast: 12 Easy Ways to Save for Retirement
How many years are you away from retirement? Regardless of whether retirement is just around the corner or a long way off, what matters most is the answer to this question:
Why College Is So Expensive And What You Can Do About It
Attending college in the United States is awfully expensive, which is one reason that we have $1.2 trillion in student loan debt outstanding in America. The average four-year public school in the U.S. is about $20,000 and the average four-year private college or university carries a price tag north of $40,000, according to the College […]
7 Things That Can Derail the Timing of Your Retirement
Whether you’re thinking of retiring three years from now or 30 years into the future, it’s important to plan for a variety of “what if” scenarios that can greatly impact the timing of your retirement.
Got Debt? 5 Financial Terms You Must Know
Getting a loan or obtaining new credit when you’re already in debt isn’t easy – especially if your credit rating has suffered for any reason in the recent past. But it is possible to obtain credit – either a personal loan, a credit card or even larger loans like a mortgage – if you know […]
Beware of These 4 Financial Dangers in November and December
It’s no secret that you can get into financial trouble at any time of the year – especially if you have a tendency to over-spend, mismanage your money or engage in any number of unwise financial behaviors. But the end of the year – namely November and December – are particularly high-risk months of the […]
The 3 Most Frightening, Spooky Financial Situations You Can Ever Face
Let’s be honest: there are a lot of opportunities to get into financial trouble these days. But some situations are a lot more economically frightening and spooky than others. Since Halloween takes place this week, and people are thinking about scary stuff, it’s worth pausing for a moment to consider how you might handle several […]
Why Most Employers Don’t Care Where You Went to School
It’s college application season and scores of parents are pushing their kids to seek admission to Ivy League schools and other “brand name” institutions of higher learning. For some parents – and many students too – if a college or university isn’t a “Top 20” school, or one with a name that everyone recognizes, it’s […]
What You Should Know About Car Title Loans
When you’re living on a fixed income or facing bills you can’t afford to pay, it can be tempting to consider borrowing from places like car title loan companies. After all, these lenders put cash in your hands in a way that’s convenient, fast and relatively drama-free — at least, at first. When you get […]
Can You Afford It? Resisting The Urge to Splurge
You recently turned 50 — or maybe even 60 or 70 years old — and now you want to buy something big. A vacation home. A cruise around the world. That luxury car you’ve always wanted. Others might try to talk you out of it, suggesting it’s your age or ego speaking to you. Could they […]
8 Steps to Be Debt Free in One Year or Less
If it’s time to get your financial house in order and you want to reduce your debt load, there are some things you can do to eliminate debt quickly without compromising too much on your current lifestyle. Putting yourself on a path to a debt free life can make money management that much easier as […]
College Secrets: How To Save Money on College Tuition
When you or one of your children receives a college acceptance letter, you may initially feel like celebrating. But soon after, a pang of fear and worry may also kick in – once you try to figure out how you’re going to pay those massive college tuition bills. Fortunately, you don’t need to lose sleep […]
Worried About Paying for College? Read This Now!
If you’re a parent or student who is worried about paying for college, I feel your pain right now. I, too, have college on the brain – mainly because my oldest daughter is a senior in high school and she’s presently filling out college applications. She’s a terrific student and is even vying to be […]