Best Ways to Create a Safety Net After a Financial Downfall
Any type of financial crisis can wipe out your savings account and have you saying goodbye to your safety net or financial cushion. While adjusting your budget after a financial downfall can help you get things back on track, you’ll need a plan to recreate that safety net. “Finding” money to build up another emergency […]
Credit Card Payment Strategy: Do Bi-Weekly Payments Reduce Debt Faster?
Many people ask me about various payment strategies to eliminate debt. So in this post, I’ll offer some guidance on how to effectively reduce debt and keep your finances strong. Specifically, let me answer the following question someone recently asked: Q: Can you reduce the payoff on a credit card by paying bi-weekly or weekly […]
Should You Use Savings to Pay Down Debt?
It’s a question all consumers struggling with debt will have to confront at one point or another: Should I use my savings to pay off my credit card bills? Generally speaking, I don’t think it’s a wise idea to tap into savings, especially things like retirement savings, in order to pay off credit card debt.
How Much Over the Minimum Should You Pay on Your Credit Card
When it comes to managing credit card debt, understanding how much over the minimum credit card payment you should pay is key to staying financially healthy. There’s no universal rule—but one truth remains: The more you pay above the minimum, the faster you’ll get out of debt and the less interest you’ll pay. Here’s why […]
3 Great Financial New Year’s Resolutions
Why wait until January 1st? It’s not too soon to come up with a New Year’s resolution for next year. If you want to improve your personal finances, here are three money-management resolutions to make – and stick with – in the coming year.
As PowerBall Jackpot Hits $425 Million, Be Careful What You Wish For
If you’re a lottery player – and even if you aren’t – you’ve probably heard that Wednesday’s upcoming PowerBall jackpot is expected to hit or maybe even surpass a record $425 million. I’m the first to admit that a mega cash windfall like that is enough to make you salivate – and probably want to […]
4 Cures for a Black Friday or Cyber Monday Shopping Hangover
Like a binge drinker who chugs back one too many shots and regrets it the next day, you might be experiencing a peculiar hangover of your own – a financial hangover brought on by excessive shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. By some estimates, 147 million Americans headed out shopping Black Friday weekend. Some […]
Soured Deal Between Rapper 50 Cent and Boxer Floyd Mayweather Teaches Valuable Financial Lessons
When it comes to money, even celebrities aren’t immune to business blunders. The 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather deal that fell apart is a classic example of what can happen when business ventures aren’t protected by a clear, written agreement. While you might not be launching a multimillion-dollar boxing promotion, the principles apply whether you’re […]
3 Great Tips to Get Out of Credit Card Debt
If you or a loved one is awash in credit card debt, the situation might look hopeless. After all, you may be staring at thousands of dollars worth of credit card bills with no real idea about how to eliminate that debt. Some people simply try to pay off high interest rate debt first. But […]
Beware of These Job Scams and Fraudulent Offers
If you’re out of work or looking to start your own business, beware of scores of employment scams now operating nationwide. The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on companies making bogus job offers to Americans.
The Best Credit Cards to Use During the Holidays
Charging on your credit cards excessively during the holidays is a surefire way to have a debt hangover when the New Year rolls around. So no matter how much you want to take part in holiday festivities and door-buster sales, it’s obviously a bad idea to engage in unbridled spending using the plastic in your […]
How to Stop Bill Collectors From Harassing You By Using a Cease and Desist Letter
It’s no picnic when your bills are overdue and debt collectors are calling you at all hours, harassing you non-stop at home or work. But just because you may (or may not) owe some company money, that doesn’t give an overly aggressive bill collector a free pass to violate your legal rights, intimidate and harass […]
Broke Again This Holiday Season? Here Is What To Do
While retailers roll out their Black Friday and pre-Christmas deals, and people start talking about doing their holiday shopping, you might be broke – and feeling like you’re sitting there with a 600-pound gorilla in your room.
Payday Lenders and Check Cashing Stores Put Consumers At Risk of ID Theft
Add this to the list of reasons you should stay away from payday lenders: they might not handle your personal information very carefully, putting you at risk of identity theft and other problems. In fact, your personal data – everything from your Social Security number to your bank account number – may have been dangerously […]
5 Tips to Protect Your Money While Traveling During the Holidays
I recently wrote about easy ways to lower airfare costs if you’re traveling during the holidays. Now I want to tell you 5 quick ideas for protecting your money if you’re away this November, December or even into the New Year. Tip #1: Have a Game Plan For starters, you need to establish a plan, particularly if you go […]