Listing of Our Credit/Debt/Loans Blog Articles

Do You Have Too Much Debt?
May 21, 2024
Wondering if you have too much debt? Looking into your debt-to-income ratio can help answer your question.

How Will Debt Settlement Affect My Credit Score?
August 15, 2023
Debt settlement typically has a negative impact on your credit score.

How Many Credit Cards Should You Have?
September 20, 2022
Should you have more than one credit card? If you’ve ever spent your way into a massive pile of credit card debt, you probably know the answer: No! However, there are reasons why the answer may be: Yes!

Nursing Homes Are Suing Friends and Family to Collect on Patients' Bills
August 16, 2022
The nursing home industry has quietly developed what consumer attorneys and patient advocates say is a pernicious strategy of pursuing family and friends of patients despite federal law that was enacted to protect them from debt collectors.

Skip the credit card and pay online with one of these 5 safer options
March 15, 2022
There are several ways to pay online that are safer and easier than using your card.

Are Your Retirement Accounts Protected From Creditors?
November 16, 2021
This becomes an issue if you are forced to declare bankruptcy or you owe money after a legal action is brought against you.

How to Plan Your Travel Rewards Card Strategy
May 18, 2021
There are many different types of credit card rewards. If you want to focus your efforts on earning travel rewards, you should create a credit card strategy to maximize the value you get for your spending patterns.

The Dangers of Taking Out a Direct PLUS Loan
February 16, 2021
While these loans might seem like an easy way for parents to help their child with today's education costs, in far too many cases, they put the parent’s financial security and retirement at risk.

Credit Card Limit Increase vs. Opening a New Account
January 19, 2021
If you’re looking to improve your credit history and boost your credit scores, you might be mulling over whether to seek a credit card limit increase or open a new line of credit. Both options would increase your total available credit and lower your utilization rate.

Some Things to Know Before Opening a Store Credit Card
January 19, 2021
We’ve all been there. You’ve got an armful of clothes and you’re watching the total inch up higher and higher. Then the store clerk says: “Would you like to open a credit card for an extra 15 percent off?”

A Story of Stolen Credit Card Information
December 15, 2020
An analysis of how online thieves steal your credit card information and what can be done to prevent this from happening to you.

You Should Pay Off These Types of Debts First
November 17, 2020
When finding yourself with extra cash, some analysis is required when deciding which debts to pay off first.

The Safe Way to Cancel a Credit Card
August 18, 2020
You’ve likely heard that canceling a credit card account could damage your credit score. And while it is true that closing a credit card can impact your score, that isn’t always the case. Here is a cancellation checklist to follow should you decide to do so.

Understanding Credit Card Balance Transfers
June 16, 2020
While the offer looks great on the surface, people who take advantage of it might find themselves on the hook for unexpected interest charges. Learn the balance transfer math, and the deceptive marketing practices identified by the CFPB.

Five Ways to Control Emotional Spending
June 16, 2020
For some people, shopping is much more than a pastime - it's actually an addiction called oniomania.

Five Things You Need To Be Pre-approved For A Mortgage
March 17, 2020
Potential buyers benefit in several ways by consulting with a lender and obtaining a pre-approval letter. Here's how to get pre-approved for a mortgage.

When (and When Not) to Refinance Your Mortgage
March 17, 2020
Refinancing a mortgage means paying off an existing loan and replacing it with a new one. You might want to evaluate refinancing your mortgage.

Six Ways To Cut The Cost Of Your Car Loan
December 17, 2019
There are numerous ways to save money on your car payments. Here's how to get a lower cost car loan.

The Six Worst Student Loan Mistakes You Can Make
November 19, 2019
No one loves the idea of student loans. But they're often a necessary evil - the only option for financing college, which (despite some debate of late) remains the best route for good jobs and rewarding careers.

How a Home-Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Can Hurt You
August 20, 2019
If you don't manage your home-equity line of credit prudently, a HELOC can become very expensive and get you into financial trouble.

Should You Lease or Buy Your Next Car?
August 20, 2019
Many car shoppers are stymied by the decision to lease or buy. Let's see if we can help you with the decision.

Mortgage Interest Rates
June 18, 2019
Buying a home with a mortgage is probably the largest financial transaction you will enter into. Here's what you need to know about mortgage interest rates.

Are Credit Karma Scores Real and Accurate?
May 21, 2019
Only you can evaluate whether getting a free credit score is really worth giving up your personal information, especially in an era when hackers are alarmingly successful at getting their hands on that personal data.

What Happens If You Don't Pay Your Student Loans?
May 21, 2019
Most student loans are guaranteed by the federal government, and the feds have powers about which debt collectors can only dream. Here's why you should pay your student loans.

Credit, Debit and Charge Cards
May 21, 2019
From a financial perspective, debit and charge cards are structured so that they pose little danger to your financial well-being. Learn how to use the right plastic money.

Reverse Mortgages
March 18, 2019
When used properly, it can be an effective financial planning solution. If you are approaching or over age 62, you should learn more about reverse mortgages.

Freezing Your Credit File
March 18, 2019
Now you can freeze your credit file for free. Learn about this new tool to manage your credit.

HELOC and Second Mortgage Loophole
June 19, 2018
You may still qualify for the Home Equity Line of Credit deduction.

Homebuyer's Guide
April 17, 2018
Whether you're buying for investment or for a place to live, there are things real estate pros know about buying a home. Learn them so that you can buy your next home like a pro.

Retrieved 29 of 29 Credit/Debt/Loans blog posts