financial iq

Four Simple Ways to Boost Your Financial IQ

If you’d like to boost your financial IQ, there are some simple, straightforward ways you can make yourself a smarter, savvier individual. Get a Financial Education What you’re doing right now—taking the time to read a money-management article – is one basic step to greater financial literacy. You can also read personal finance magazines, or […]

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student loan disabled

Do You Have To Pay Back A Student Loan If You Are Disabled

If you were permanently disabled in years past, a letter from a doctor confirming your condition was required to have your student loan discharged. Back in 2002, however, the Department of Education tightened the guidelines and the rules concerning those loans that were being discharged due to permanent and total disability. Essentially, the department said

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student loan repaid when school closes

Does A Student Loan Have To Be Paid Back If The School Closed?

If you obtained a federal student loan for a school that closed, you may be eligible to have your loan discharged. If you weren’t able to complete your program because the college or university you got the student loan for closed down – and you weren’t transferred to another campus that would accept your student

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Close-up image of the word "PAID" stamped in red ink over the word "Balance" on a white piece of paper, symbolizing the triumph of managing to pay off your student loans.

Seven Ways To Pay Off Your Student Loans

Student loan debt has reached over 1 trillion dollars, which exceeds what Americans owe on credit cards. If you are burdened by student loan debt, here are seven ways to pay off or reduce your student loans: 1. Pick the shortest loan repayment program you can afford If you have federal student loans, there are

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Credit Reports and Credit Scores Explained

Two popular questions here at AskTheMoneyCoach.com are: “Why are my credit reports or credit scores different?” and “Why isn’t my credit score contained in my credit report?” This post will answer those questions. What is a Credit Report? A consumer credit report is a detailed file about you that has information on where you live,

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A digital screen displays the text "ID fraud" prominently, with binary code in the background subtly emphasizing the critical role of SSNs in identity protection.

Someone is Using My Social Security Number – What Should I Do?

If you recently had your Social Security card stolen or an identity thief had access to your Social Security number, someone could be using your Social Security number for a variety of purposes. Using someone else’s Social Security number is illegal but thousands of people become the victims of identity theft after losing their Social

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Attn College Grads: Credit Cards and Student Loans Are Not Free Money

Millions of college students and college graduates blow it big time when it comes to taking on credit card debt and student loans. I know I did when I was an undergraduate at the University of California, Irvine. When I walked on campus and got tempted by those credit card hawkers saying things like, “Hey,

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payday loans

List of 5 Payday Lenders Sued by Minnesota Attorney General

Attorney General Lori Swanson filed lawsuits against five payday lenders that made loans to Minnesotans. The lenders were not licensed to make loans in Minnesota and charged excessively high annual interest rates. This is not the first time that Swanson has brought litigation against payday lenders and Swanson said her office is investigating complaints against

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Graduation caps with yellow tassels are thrown in the air against a clear blue sky, reflecting the culmination of years of effort and wise credit utilization.

Why Your Credit Report and Credit Score are as Financially Important as Your College Degree

If you went to college, no doubt you tracked your grades carefully throughout school. But if you’re currently a working professional, or are looking for a job, you now have another important report card to pay attention to: your credit rating. Simply put, having perfect credit is just as financially beneficial to you as is

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millionaire

Millionaires Stick to a Budget. So Should You!

If you’re operating without a normal monthly budget, that’s a huge financial mistake. In fact, the lack of a budget is a big part of the reason that the average American now has nearly $10,000 in credit card debt.  Of course, many people have mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and other consumer debt. But it’s

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I Was Under 18 When I Signed For My Student Loan – Am I Responsible for It?

If you applied for a student loan or financial aid during your last few years of high school, you may not have been 18 at the time that you signed for the student loan. Many people who signed for a student loan before they turned 18 wonder if they are still responsible for the loan,

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financial plan

How To Create a Realistic Financial Plan

A proper financial plan provides you with a snapshot of where you are today – in terms of assets and liabilities, and your current cash flow. It also outlines your short, medium, and long-term goals, such as saving for a down payment on a house or taking a dream vacation. Finally, a well crafted financial

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Several U.S. hundred-dollar bills are shown floating in the air above a small stack of similar bills on a white background, evoking thoughts of potential financial mistakes and careless spending.

Did You Take Out a Payday Loan Online? You May Get a Refund From the FTC

If you’re one of the tens of thousands of people who took out a payday loan online, you may stand to get some cash back soon. It’s not a lot of money, but the Federal Trade Commission is nevertheless mailing more than 110,000 refund checks — each check between $10 and $15 — to consumers

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