Federal laws dictate what personal information about you can – and can’t – be included in your credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Here’s a rundown of what to expect. Personal Information – Make Sure It’s Letter Perfect The top part of your credit report contains a condensed set of personal facts about you […]
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Regardless of whether you pull a credit report from Equifax, Experian or TransUnion, all credit files contain information that can be summarized into five categories: Personal Information The top part of your credit report contains a condensed set of personal facts about you – the totality of which is extremely important in establishing your unique
What Information Is Found In My Credit Reports? Read More »
Lots of people say they “can’t” save money. But I don’t believe that. Simple Strategies to Save More Money I want to challenge you to save more, by looking at various areas where you’re spending money – and thinking of creative ways to slash costs. Start with the following suggestions: Save on Your Current Housing
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The tough economy has forced many people to get back to the financial basics – including doing something that most individuals dread: budgeting. If you don’t yet have a budget, or if your current budget is constantly out of whack, take heart in knowing that you’re not alone. In fact, 70% of all Americans don’t
How Can I Create and Stick To a Budget? Read More »
When it comes to setting financial priorities, it’s all about planning and crossing some major “to do’s” off your list as early as possible …. this way you start off the New Year on the right foot and you score some big financial victories early on … to keep you motivated and on track all
Setting Your Financial Priorities This Year Read More »
Using proper credit and debt management strategies is essential to getting back on financial track, post holidays. Here’s what to do and how to do it …. a. Establish a Strict Debt Payoff Plan You don’t want the debt you racked up in 2009 to follow you into the holiday season of 2010. So set
Credit and Debt Strategies After the Holidays Read More »
If one of your personal or financial goals is to get out of debt this year – or at least eliminate your debt as soon as possible – now is a great time to get started. Becoming debt-free takes work. But it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming chore. Simply following proven strategies below to
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After owning your home for some time, you might start to consider whether or not you should refinance your mortgage. If interest rates have dropped considerably as they have in recent years, or if your credit has improved dramatically, it’s possible you might be able to get a much better deal on a new mortgage
Do’s and Don’ts When Refinancing Your Home Read More »
When you think about the assets you own, does your house immediately spring to mind? It should, if you made any down payment on the house. That down payment – whether it was from funds out of your own pocket or money secured elsewhere – represents equity in your house. Your equity in a home
Is My Home an Asset or a Liability? Read More »
Excerpted from Your First Home: The Smart Way to Get It and Keep It Proven Strategies to Slash Your Property Tax Bill Almost everyone hates to pay taxes, and it doesn’t matter whether they’re federal income taxes, state taxes, or local taxes on the house you own. Americans dread property taxes more than any other
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Missing mortgage payments isn’t the only way you can lose your home. Falling behind on your property taxes – no matter whether you owe thousands or just a few hundred dollars – also puts you at risk of foreclosure. In fact, tax lien foreclosures take place every day in America. When you don’t pay property
Can I Lose My Home Because of Overdue Property Taxes? Read More »
Applying for a mortgage is a major financial step. While a solid credit score and consistent savings will definitely help your application, there are certain mortgage red flags that can instantly reduce your chances of approval—or increase the cost of borrowing. Some are obvious, others are often overlooked. Let’s explore what lenders don’t want to
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A subscriber to my newsletter went to Half.com, a division of Amazon.com and ordered a book. When she got her Discover card statement, she found a bogus charge described as Amazon.com. She wanted to know what to do. This sounds like a case of identity theft (i.e. use of your credit card number without your
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A 529 Plan is a tax-advantaged savings vehicle created to help families save for education costs ranging from K–12 to graduate school. This article explains how a 529 Plan works, who benefits, common pitfalls, and actionable steps to pick and use one effectively. You’ll learn the core rules, state differences, what to avoid, and the
The 529 College Savings Plan Explained Read More »
One of my newsletter subscribers had a question about how to best dispute a medical debt. She found out that a collection account for $1,879 appears on her Equifax credit report, based on a $2,000 surgery she had back in 2004. This individual (who is also unemployed) said she’d paid monthly on the bill at
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