A red Santa hat with a white fluffy brim and pompom, resting on a white background, evokes nostalgic warmth amidst winter's chill, banishing any trace of depression.

How To Cope with Depression During the Holidays

As the holiday season gets into full swing, you may not be feeling as cheerful and festive these days as some of your friends and family members. Money problems or personal issues can dampen even the brightest of outlooks. In fact, for some people, the holidays end up being a time of sadness and even […]

How To Cope with Depression During the Holidays Read More »

A person with curly hair holds multiple 100-dollar bills in front of their face, partially obscuring it, showcasing some extra cash. They are wearing a light blue shirt, and the background is plain white.

5 Smart Ways to Earn Extra Cash Before Year’s End

Looking for practical ways to earn extra cash before the year wraps up? Whether you’re prepping for holiday expenses or just want to boost your savings, now’s a great time to explore simple yet effective ways to make more money. You don’t need to take on another job or upend your schedule to bring in

5 Smart Ways to Earn Extra Cash Before Year’s End Read More »

Scams and rip offs

Beware of Scammers Impersonating The Better Business Bureau

As much as you would like to believe it, no, you didn’t just win a brand new Mercedes Benz or $1 million – just in time for the holidays. That telephone call you may have received about your exciting “win” in a sweepstakes or lottery is just a scam, according to the Better Business Bureau,

Beware of Scammers Impersonating The Better Business Bureau Read More »

During the holiday season, a person wearing a Santa hat and red coat is seen biting a gold chocolate coin while holding a pile of similar coins on the table.

5 Reasons Not to Spend Any Money on Gifts this Holiday Season

For many Americans, a big part of the holiday season involve giving presents to others. But it’s perfectly fine and feasible to not give gifts to family and friends and still enjoy the holiday season. In fact, if the tough economy or a job layoff has taken a toll on your household budget, this could

5 Reasons Not to Spend Any Money on Gifts this Holiday Season Read More »

shopaholics

How to Control the Shopaholic in You this Holiday Season

From Black Friday doorbuster specials to Christmas sales, the holiday shopping frenzy may soon engage your inner shopaholic – and leave you with a mound of debt by New Year’s. The average American is expected to spend a little more than $700 on holiday gifts and seasonal merchandise in 2011, according to the National Retail

How to Control the Shopaholic in You this Holiday Season Read More »

Green button with the text "ERASE DEBT" in white, offering debt help.

5 Ways To Know If You Should Avoid a Debt Help Company

If you need help eliminating credit card bills or getting rid of other forms of debt, a debt relief program may seem like the only viable option for getting help with your debt and your finances back on track. While you can find some legitimate debt help agencies out there, you can also easily stumble

5 Ways To Know If You Should Avoid a Debt Help Company Read More »

A silver SUV, likely a car repo, is being towed on a flatbed tow truck along a road, surrounded by dry vegetation and hills in the background.

Can I Remove a Car Repo From My Credit Report?

If you’re wondering whether you can remove a car repossession from your credit report after paying off the balance, you’re not alone. Many consumers are surprised to learn that even after settling a repossessed vehicle account, the negative mark can remain on their credit history for years. Here’s what you need to know about car

Can I Remove a Car Repo From My Credit Report? Read More »

A circle formed by hands of different skin tones, symbolizing unity and diversity, mirrors the inclusive spirit of a credit union.

The Smart Way to Join a Credit Union

If you’ve thought about switching banks to skirt extra fees or just for better services, don’t overlook the option and benefits of joining a credit union too. Credit unions are known for providing a more personalized experience and most offer the same – though not all – of the financial products that many banks offer.

The Smart Way to Join a Credit Union Read More »

A blue square logo with white text that reads "Ask The Money Coach™" in the center.

Are Credit Unions a Good Alternative to Banks?

If you’ve been thinking about closing up your regular bank account in favor of joining a credit union, make sure you understand both the benefits and disadvantages of making the switch. As bank fees continue to rise and many retail banks impose penalties on low balances, many Americans are turning their sights on credit unions

Are Credit Unions a Good Alternative to Banks? Read More »

A metallic car key and a black car remote, featuring three buttons defaulting to trunk access, unlocking, and locking.

When Defaulting On a Loan May Not Be Reported to a Credit Bureau

Q: I found out that my car company Chacon Auto is not reporting my credit after three years. If I voluntary give my car back can they report a repo although they do not report my credit now? A: Thanks for writing me with your question about your car situation. It is rare for an

When Defaulting On a Loan May Not Be Reported to a Credit Bureau Read More »

A person holding a large stack of overdue bills, representing mounting debt, in various colors partially covering their face, with a concerned expression.

What Should We Do About Large Loans and Debt We Can’t Pay?

A subscriber of AskTheMoneyCoach wanted a solution to their debt problems. Here is the person’s circumstances and question: Q: After being unemployed for a year, almost losing our house and caring for a teen that has special needs, it is proving impossible to pay off the loan we have for our sons high schooling of

What Should We Do About Large Loans and Debt We Can’t Pay? Read More »

A layaway ticket with red text and details including buyer's information, items, prices, and payment schedule hangs prominently against a solid red background.

Layaway: Bad Advice That You Should Ignore

File this one under the “bad financial advice” category. An article that recently ran online from WSOCTV.com suggests that using layaway to pay for goods over time can be more expensive than credit cards. According to the story, “consumer experts say buying on a financial plan doesn’t always make sense. Experts say a typical shopper

Layaway: Bad Advice That You Should Ignore Read More »

Scroll to Top