For many college freshmen, the first year of living on their own, sometimes far away from home, can be an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming. If you or your child will be starting college soon, and don’t have a plan to manage your finances, you could be looking at debt and credit […]
What Every College Freshman Needs to Know About Finances Read More »
Filing for bankruptcy is a major financial step, and it’s not uncommon to have second thoughts. If you’ve recently paid for a bankruptcy filing but changed your mind, you’re not alone—and you may still have options. The key is knowing where you are in the filing process and what steps to take next. Here’s what
Can I Change My Mind After Paying for a Bankruptcy Filing? Read More »
According to recent data from the American Bankruptcy Institute, there were 1.2 million personal bankruptcy filings in the United States in 2012. If it’s increasingly difficult for you to cover all your bills, you find yourself using credit cards to pay for basic necessities, or you’re currently considering any type of debt consolidation program, you may be
5 Reasons People File for Bankruptcy Read More »
When one of my sisters recently tried to file her taxes ahead of the April 15th tax-deadline, she got a nasty surprise from her accountant: the IRS rejected my sister’s tax return because someone had already illegally used her child’s social security number. Unfortunately, identity theft knows no age boundaries, and increasingly crooks that steal
Equifax Creates Consumer Website to Help Americans Deal With ID Theft Read More »
Among all the things on your financial checklist, of all the financial planning topics that you know you need to tackle, insurance is probably one of the least favored and least likely to get done. Let’s face it. Insurance just isn’t a very sexy, financial topic. Most people don’t want to think about their need for insurance
Here’s Why Having Insurance Is More Important Than You Think Read More »
Are you guilty of financial infidelity? Many couples find it difficult to talk about money matters and might even fight about finances regularly. If you share bank and credit card accounts with your significant other, do you review your statements together regularly, or do you end up trying to hide your purchases and spending habits?
How to Stop Secret Spending Read More »
I remember when P. Diddy sang: “It’s all about the Benjamins, baby!” Well, apparently the feds agree, because the government is releasing a re-designed, new $100 bill starting Oct. 8, 2013.
New $100 Bill To Soon Go Into Circulation Read More »
With scores of different types of credit cards out there, how do you find the best deal? Needless to say, it pays to already have good credit in order to get a good credit card offer. But finding an attractive credit card goes beyond simply having excellent credit. Since the credit-card industry is so competitive,
5 Ways to Evaluate and Get the Best Credit Card Deals Read More »
Having a credit card – or even a couple of credit cards – isn’t always a bad thing for young adults, provided they learn about credit management and use credit wisely.
What Is a Good First Credit Card for a Young Adult? Read More »
With credit card interest rates averaging over 25% in 2025, consolidating your debt can be a strategic move to reduce interest payments and simplify your finances. However, it’s essential to assess your financial situation carefully before proceeding. What Is Credit Card Debt Consolidation? Credit card debt consolidation involves combining multiple credit card balances into a
4 Things To Consider Before You Consolidate Credit Card Debt Read More »
Q: I did not have a high school diploma or a GED when I enrolled in college. Am I responsible for my student loans? A: Before a college provides you with a student loan, that institution is supposed to make sure that you have an “ability to benefit” from its educational curriculum. One way for a
Student Loan Discharge Due to False Certification Explained Read More »
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
How to Dispute a Credit Card Purchase Read More »
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
What to Do If You’re Charged the Wrong Amount for a Student Loan Read More »
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
How to Increase Your Credit Score While Still in School Read More »
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 »
