Paying so-called minimum payments now actually ends up costing you more – a lot more – over the long haul. The math behind some of the calculations that determine your interest rate can be tricky. And I won’t get into all the complex, and sometimes mind-boggling formulas that are used to calculate your Annual Percentage […]
Minimum Payments Now Really Equal Maximum Payments, in the Long-Run Read More »
Student loan payments may be among your biggest expenses and you are probably looking forward to the day when you make that final payment. If you have reached that stage and paid your entire balance in full, you may still end up receiving a payment notification letter in the mail or find that you have
I Already Paid My Student Loan But Records Show I Still Owe It – What Do I Do? Read More »
Q: Should I pay off my credit card in full before the due date to improve my credit score? A: The answer to that question is, yes, it is better to pay off your credit cards before the statement cycle ends, because you are absolutely correct that that zero balance is what will ultimately get
Should I Pay Off My Credit Card Before The Due Date? Read More »
When somebody uses your name and/or your social security number to apply for a student loan, there’s a good chance that they forged your signature in order to have the application go through. Many people don’t even find out that a student loan has been taken out in their name until they look at their
Someone Took Out A Student Loan In My Name. What Should I Do? Read More »
Q: We own an old house that needs 100k worth of work. Should we get a construction loan or a mortgage loan? My husband has a paid IRS lien on his credit report. I have great credit. Should I get a loan in my name only? Should I title the house in my name only?
Should You Get A Mortgage Loan In Your Name Alone If Your Spouse Has Bad Credit? Read More »
No matter how many tantalizing credit offers banks dream up, you can minimize the clutter in your mailbox, thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This law permits you to opt out of pre-screened credit offers, thereby greatly reducing the amount of “pre-approved” credit offers that come to your home. It’s worth it to opt
Five Reasons to Opt Out of Credit Card Offers Read More »
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 37 million Americans—roughly 13% of us—move to a different home every year. That’s a lot of transition. Unfortunately, moving season also represents a lot of opportunity for crooks and con artists who want to fleece you financially and steal your identity. “Half of all moves take place
Moving Soon? Be Careful Thieves Don’t Steal Your Identity Read More »
It looks like scammers are stepping up their game from slinging fake Rolex’s to pushing fake jewels. If you’ve just returned from your tour of duty with a pocketful of gems that you thought you could sell for a profit in the United States, beware! The Better Business Bureau has learned that military personnel from
Soldiers Fall Victim To Fake Gems Scam Read More »
We’ve all seen and heard them: the TV ads and the radio commercial promises touting bankruptcy as a “fresh start” to help you get rid of overwhelming bills. While it’s true that Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out many consumer debts, such as credit card payments and medical bills, it’s also the case that a
Bankruptcy Won’t Save You From These Debts Read More »
If you or your child has just graduated from college, your number one goal may be getting a j-o-b. Of course, that’s a lot easier said than done, with unemployment rate around 9% and even higher–a staggering 16%–for African-Americans. Still, there are many steps recent college graduates can take to put themselves on the road to financial security, including
Financial Advice for College Graduates Read More »
If you have managed to get your student loan discharged through bankruptcy by proving that your loan would cause you “undue hardship”, you will need to gather documents that pertained to your case to prove it. In some cases, the U.S. Department of Education may still be sending you notices about your student loan or
My Student Loan was Discharged in Bankruptcy – How Can I Prove It? Read More »
If you’ve recently looked at your credit report and find that you have an outstanding student loan balance that isn’t yours, you may have been the victim of identity theft. When someone applies for a loan with your social security number and name, you probably won’t find out about it until you review your credit
Someone Got a Student Loan in My Name – What Do I Do? Read More »
A fresh wave of credit card fraud is sweeping across the East Coast, and it’s drawing national attention. The U.S. Secret Service is currently investigating this alarming trend, which began in Wythe County, Virginia, and is now affecting individuals and businesses from Atlanta to New Jersey. What’s Behind the Surge in Credit Card Fraud? According
Beware of a New Surge in Credit Card Fraud Read More »
If you’ve been struggling to keep up with your debt payments or need some professional advice about your credit, you may have considered talking to a credit counselor. Credit counseling agencies have been around since the 1950s but have become more prevalent in the last few decades as more consumers find themselves sinking into debt
Will Credit Counseling Hurt My Credit Score? Read More »
Some women are in charge of the household budget – and prefer to keep it that way – while other ladies delegate the responsibility of managing household finances to their significant other. Regardless of whether you’re a single woman who’s steering your own finances, or are running an entire family budget, you might run into
Embarrassing Money Issues Women Have Read More »
