student loans

A Quick Guide to Student Loans

Taking out a student loan may be the only way to make college affordable. But it’s a good idea to learn about the different types of student loans available and what your repayment options will be after you graduate. Making some informed decisions about your finances before the school year begins can help put you

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A person in a black suit makes a small measurement gesture with their fingers against a dark background, hinting at the concept of minimum payment.

Minimum Payments Now Really Equal Maximum Payments, in the Long-Run

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

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A green filing cabinet with an open drawer is filled with folders. Above the cabinet, the text reads "SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS!" in large white letters—a reminder for those managing student loan documents.

I Already Paid My Student Loan But Records Show I Still Owe It – What Do I Do?

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

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student loan in my name

Someone Took Out A Student Loan In My Name. What Should I Do?

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

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A chalk drawing on a green board features a couple holding hands inside a house outline, symbolizing love and stability. Above them floats a heart, representing the harmony achievable through careful budgeting and the guidance of a skilled financial planner.

Should You Get A Mortgage Loan In Your Name Alone If Your Spouse Has Bad Credit?

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?

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A woman with glasses, who appears to be a financial planner, holds her hands up in a stop gesture, looking directly at the camera.

Five Reasons to Opt Out of Credit Card Offers

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

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Yellow sign with black text hanging on a wire, reading "Warning Scam Alert: They May Steal Your Identity" with a warning symbol in the top left corner.

Moving Soon? Be Careful Thieves Don’t Steal Your Identity

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

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bankruptcy debts AskTheMoneyCoach.com

Bankruptcy Won’t Save You From These Debts

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

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financial tips recent college grads

Financial Advice for College Graduates

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

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student loan discharged through bankruptcy

My Student Loan was Discharged in Bankruptcy – How Can I Prove It?

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

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student loan in my name

Someone Got a Student Loan in My Name – What Do I Do?

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

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surge in credit card fraud

Beware of a New Surge in Credit Card Fraud

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

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