Question: I owe $1400.00 to the IRS and am making payments. My 2010 tax return is expected to be $1800.00. I understand that taxes owed can be paid in Chapter 13 but if the tax return comes after the Chapter 13 is confirmed will they take just the $1400.00 owed or my whole return? Answer: […]
Will I Lose My Tax Refund If I Declare Chapter 13 Bankruptcy? Read More »
The IRS wants military personnel and their families to know that they can get tax help free of charge. The no-cost tax help comes courtesy of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program. Both the IRS and the U.S. Armed Forces participate in the VITA program, which offers everything from complimentary tax preparation service
Free Tax Help for Military Members and Their Families Read More »
Do you have enough socked away to cover your bills should you get slipped a pink slip? Typically I would say you should have enough savings to cover three times your monthly living expenses, but given this economy and the skyrocketing unemployment rate, six or nine months worth of savings is more ideal. Here are
Earn Extra Cash to Pad Your Emergency Fund Read More »
The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States ushered in a new era. As he said in his speech on Tuesday, January 20, 2009: “What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our
5 Tips for Getting Your Financial House in Order Read More »
All parents worry about their children — about their personal happiness, providing a good education for them, and of course, about their financial futures. For low-income parents, and single parents in particular, financial worries can loom especially large. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised to recently come across an offer for free life insurance for
Get Free Life Insurance for Your Kid’s College Expenses Read More »
As millions of people have filed for bankruptcy protection in recent years, many Americans want to know how to rebuild their credit rating after a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. One perennial question I’m often asked is: What is a good credit card to obtain in order to rebuild credit after bankruptcy? It’s a
Pick the Right Credit Card For Rebuilding Credit Read More »
Here are 10 New Year’s Resolutions to add to your list: Eliminate credit card debt. Answer this question: Do you really want to be in debt year after year and living paycheck to paycheck? If you said “No,” then it’s time to get serious about managing your money and getting rid of excessive debt. You
Top 10 Smart Financial New Year’s Resolutions Read More »
For many young couples, there is a certain amount of financial and emotional stress that comes with Valentine’s Day. Among women who are dating, the message they get from family, friends and others is that Valentine’s Day is the time to know if your guy is really into you. They may even start getting some
How Much Engagement Ring Can He (or You) Really Afford? Read More »
Q: Will opening a savings account in order to save for a home down payment impair my credit rating by creating an inquiry on my credit report? A: No, any kind of checking account or savings account that you might have is: 1) Not reflected on your credit reports with either Experian, Equifax or TransUnion
Will Opening A Checking Or Savings Account Hurt My Credit Rating? Read More »
You may be wondering if it’s in your best interest to consolidate your student loans. Well, experts say that you can benefit from a consolidation—to a greater or lesser extent—only by taking into account the full details of your personal situation. For those of you having serious difficulty making your monthly payments, you definitely should
Who Should Consolidate Student Loans And Who Should Not Read More »
In order to qualify for direct consolidation loans, you must have at least one direct loan or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loan that is in grace, repayment, deferment, or default status. If you are currently enrolled in school, you can no longer consolidate your loans. This is because your loans will be defined
What Student Loans Are Eligible for Consolidation? Read More »
Question: How does loan consolidation work? Answer: When you consolidate your student loans, your original debts are paid off and you roll the combined balances from your previous loans into one new, larger loan with a fixed interest rate. Question: What are the main benefits of loan consolidation? Answer: It’s easier to make one payment
Frequently Asked Questions about Student Loan Consolidation Read More »
The $40 billion a year payday loan industry is booming thanks to high unemployment and a lack of access to traditional bank credit. While most individuals typically think about payday lenders doing business mainly with poor people and minorities, the Wall Street Journal reports that payday loans are also increasingly being used by middle class
Alternatives to Payday Loans When You Need Cash Fast Read More »
Q: One of my creditors, Bank of America, decided to decrease my credit limit from $4,000 to $500. At the time when they lowered my credit limit, I had a balance of $700. So, that put me $200 above the limit at the time of the change. They didn’t even call me, I called them.
The Impact of a Credit Limit on Your Credit Rating Read More »
Q: I am having financial problems and can no longer make ends meet. Can I keep my car if I file bankruptcy? A: With so many consumers filing for bankruptcy protection or thinking about doing so, a lot of people are worried about what assets they can keep and what assets they might have to
Can I Keep My Car if I File Bankruptcy? Read More »
