A Facebook fan had heard that a bad credit rating could keep him from getting a job. He wanted to verify whether this is true and wanted to know where he find out about his credit rating. It is true that having a bad credit rating can impact a person’s ability to get a job. […]
How Credit Rating Can Affect Your Ability to Get a Job Read More »
A Facebook fan has asked whether the National Mortgage Help Center is a legitimate company. I’ve never had any dealings with National Mortgage Help Center, nor have I heard anything about them from consumers or in the media. So I can’t really comment with any authority or insight into whether this particular company is “legitimate”
Are Mortgage Help Centers Legitimate? Read More »
The number of people filing for personal bankruptcy was up 36.5% in the first half of 2009 from the same period a year before, and more than likely that number will keep rising as people seek their own personal bailout from the recession. Here are a few things to know if you have ever contemplated
5 Things to Know about Filing Bankruptcy Read More »
You probably already know that not paying a bill can adversely affect your credit score, but do you know by about how much? Do you know what effect opening up a retailer charge card just to get 10% off on your purchase can have on your credit score? These are some things you should be
Your Credit Score Explained Read More »
A Facebook fan who has a medical bill that got overlooked after she lost her job was contacted by a debt collection agency who said they have added $150 to the bill as processing fee. She wanted to know if is advisable to contact the medical billing company directly after it has gotten to this
Got Medical Bills in Collections? Avoid This Scam Read More »
A Facebook follower wrote me saying she earns about $30,000 a year, asked about buying a home with little to no money down. If you or someone you know is trying to become a first-time homeowner, and you don’t have a high salary or a lot of savings, there is financial assistance available if you
Help for First-Time Home Buyers Read More »
A couple of Facebook fans who recently heard me on the Russ Parr Show have asked me to elaborate on the Student Loan Cancellation Program. Under federal law, you can get your federal student loans canceled or discharged for many different circumstances. Reasons for loan discharge: Death Total and permanent disability School-related issues or improper
Student Loan Cancellation Explained Read More »
If you can’t pay a debt, creditors are willing to settle out of court with you for a lump sum payment of less than the amount you owe, or a monthly payment plan, but they also will not hesitate to sue you for the full amount of the money you owe them. So what should
Why You Should Answer a Summons on Debt Collection Read More »
Consumers often pay off debt for which creditors can no longer seek legal action because the Statute of Limitations has already expired for the account. Consumers pay off these accounts perhaps because the accounts still appear on their credit reports, they fear court action, or they simply don’t know their rights. There are even cases
Statute of Limitations on Debt Read More »
I know what it feels like to lose a job. In early 2003, I lost my six-figure television job as a Wall Street Journal reporter for CNBC. Like millions of others in corporate America, I, too, was laid off in a cost-cutting move. After my layoff I didn’t immediately rein in my spending. I even
5 Tips for Saving Money While Unemployed Read More »
More than three dozen ex-prisoners in Texas just hit the lottery – or so it may seem – after the men had their convictions overturned based on DNA evidence, and now stand to become instant millionaires because the state is compensating them for being wrongfully imprisoned. This article from the Associated Press gives the details:
From Lockdown to Luxury: Ex Inmates Become Instant Millionaires Read More »
Unless your child attends a private or parochial school with mandatory uniforms, you’re probably clothes shopping right about now to find new outfits for the kids to wear this back to school season. Discount stores such as Target and Wal-Mart are a good place to head, however, consignment and resale shops are even better if
3 Steps to Back-to-School Clothes Shopping on a Dime Read More »
Starting today, big changes will impact you and your credit cards, thanks to the credit card reform legislation that President Obama signed into law earlier this year. The goal of credit card reform was to stop or prevent unfair or deceptive lending practices by banks and credit card issuers. The two provisions of the legislation
How Credit Card Reform Impacts You Read More »
Airlines seem to be going ala carte. They are charging passengers for every bag they check, if they exceed the 40 lb or 50 lb weight limit, or bulge beyond the 40 linear inches allowed. Some are even charging extra if you check a bag at the gate. If you learn to pack lighter when
4 Tips for Avoiding Airline Baggage Fees Read More »
Foreclosure on a home is the worst possible option for both the mortgage lender and the homeowner. Banks do not like foreclosures, for the simple reason that they cost money. For the homeowner, it means both the loss of the house (and place to live) along with a credit record that has been shredded. The
Help For Homeowners Facing Foreclosure Read More »
