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 […]

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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A pen rests on top of a refinance loan application form placed on a wooden surface.

Can I Refinance My Husband’s Mortgage By Putting My Name on the Deed?

A reader of AskTheMoneyCoach.com wanted to know whether or not they could do a certain maneuver in order to refinance a home mortgage. Here’s the person’s question: Q: Is it possible to temporarily transfer the title to my husband’s home into my name? This way, we could refinance with my credit scores. A: Unfortunately, what

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How to Get a Consumer Statement Removed From Your Credit Report

Q: How can I have a consumer statement removed from my credit report? A: It can be very simple to get a consumer statement removed, depending on which credit bureau you’re dealing with. But first of all, for those who may not know, a consumer statement is that 100-word explanation or statement that you are

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A graduation cap sits atop a spread of hundred-dollar bills with a rolled diploma beside it, symbolizing the triumphant end of years of hard work, but also hinting at the looming presence of Sallie Mae.

How to Lower Your Sallie Mae Student Loan Interest Rate

If you’re trying to lower your Sallie Mae student loan interest rate, you’re not alone. One reader of AskTheMoneyCoach.com shared their frustration about consolidating loans with Sallie Mae back in 2001 at a fixed 7% interest rate. While payments have been consistently made for over a decade, Sallie Mae offered no solutions when asked about

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Calculating Your Social Security Benefits

A reader of AskTheMoneyCoach.com had a question about their social security benefits. Here is what the person asked: Q: Where can I go to calculate my future social security benefits? A: The official website of the U.S. Social Security Administration is the best and easiest resource to calculate your social security benefits. You can find

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Will This Woman Go Down as the Rosa Parks of the Occupy Movement?

The Occupy Wall Street movement is gaining steam all across America, and one of the key flashpoints right is in the San Francisco area, where a woman may ultimately be heralded as the movement’s Rosa Parks. In one section of San Francisco called the Bayview District, which is predominantly an African‑American neighborhood, there are more

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