Top Reasons Your Bankruptcy Filing May Be Rejected
Whether you’ve lost your job, are carrying an excessive amount of credit card debt, or have big medical bills and are dealing with mounting debt, you may have considered filing for bankruptcy to get a fresh start with your finances. A recent FindLaw.com survey revealed that one in eight Americans, or 13% of us, have […]
My Ex-spouse Took The House During Our Divorce And Filed For Bankruptcy. Do I Owe Taxes On The Forgiven Debt
Q: I received a 1099-c form from the mortgage company I used to have a loan with. My ex-wife and I were both on the mortgage. She took the house in the divorce and never got my name off of the loan. She then filed bankruptcy. I received the 1099c form that simply showed the […]
I worked for the United Nations. They did not subtract any tax from my income, what I should do?
Q: Hello Lynnette ! I am an international graduate student who worked as a part time contractor to the United Nations in 2010 for about 6 months. They did not subtract any tax from my income, and the UN does not provide a W-2 or any tax form. My supervisors don’t know what I should […]
4 Financial Questions You Should Ask Your Future Spouse Before You Get Married
If you’re about to get married, or have recently tied the knot, chances are you and your mate talked through virtually every aspect of the wedding ceremony. But what about a thorough discussion of the money matters that will affect your life together after the Big Day? Unfortunately, studies show that most couples are loath […]
Financial Advice for College Graduates
If you or your child has just graduated from college, your number one goal may be getting a job. 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 […]
If I File For Bankruptcy And Change My Mind, What Will Happen To My Credit Score
Q: If I change my mind and decide not to file for bankruptcy, how should I make the 3 credit agencies aware of what I’ve done and will this weigh heavily on my credit score? A: The current status of your bankruptcy should be reflected on your current credit reports from the credit agencies (including […]
The Story of Bill and Skip: Why Your Credit Score Matters
Here’s a tale about two 40-year old guys who are best friends. We’ll call them Bill and Skip. From the time they were teenagers both Bill and Skip dreamed of becoming successful corporate sales executives and enjoying the finer things in life—you know, nice house, sporty cars, designer suits, the whole works. Bill and Skip […]
Money Saving Tips for the Single Mom
When you’re a single mom and solely in charge of managing the family budget, it pays to be frugal – literally. Whether you’re supporting just one child or several children with your paycheck, you need to take extra steps to ensure your budget is in great shape. You also need to make sure you’re setting […]
What to Do If a Creditor Will Not Renegotiate the Terms of Your Agreement
One of the options you have when you can’t pay an outstanding debt is to renegotiate the terms of your agreement directly with your creditor. You might choose to do this before the account goes to collections so that the incident doesn’t go on your credit report and negatively affects your credit rating. Some creditors […]
What to Do If a Bill Collector Sends You Inadequate Information About a Debt
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you have the right to send a bill collector a “debt validation” letter requesting more information about the debt you are being told is still outstanding. This letter prompts the bill collector to send you proof of debt in the form of a complete payment history, a copy […]
What to Get from a Bill Collector Before You Make a Single Payment
If a bill collector has started to contact you about an outstanding debt and is using some intimidation tactics to get you to pay up fast, you need to be very careful about what you say to them and when you actually make a payment. In some cases, you could be relieved from the debt […]
Using a Statute of Limitations Law to Eliminate Your Debt
When debt collectors are contacting you regularly and you’re wondering if you should just pay off the debt to get rid of them, stop! Many consumers don’t realize that the debts some bill collectors are chasing after aren’t the consumer’s responsibility anymore. How is this possible? Because of the Statute of Limoutstanding debtitations that exist […]
Safeguarding Your Finances Against Natural Disasters
Recent natural disasters serve as reminders to homeowners and renters nationwide about the need to shore up their properties – and their finances – against natural disasters. And since hurricane season officially kicks off June 1, Americans everywhere would be wise to safeguard their homes, businesses and valuables. Whether you live in a hurricane prone area of the […]
Should You Record a Call with a Bill Collector?
Your bill collector may have sent you a letter contacting you about your outstanding debt or called you to introduce themselves. If you choose to accept a phone call and engage a debt collector in conversation, you may have more negotiating power if you record your call. You do have the right to record your […]
How Will a Foreclosure Affect My Credit Score?
If you’re facing foreclosure, you may be wondering how this will affect your credit score. Missing payments on your mortgage and other bills may have already dropped your credit score by several points, and when you reach foreclosure status, you will notice a significant drop in your credit rating. If you’ve been struggling financially for […]