Credit.org is approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a comprehensive housing counseling agency. We help home buyers prepare to become better educated and informed homeowners. For most people, understanding the process and requirements of obtaining a mortgage loan as well as which type of lender to use and what…
Posts By: Melinda Opperman
Thanks to the modern approval processes, applying for a new credit card from a credit card company, a bank or even a department store is as easy as answering a few questions. With the number of discounts offered at many major retailers, applying for a credit card at your favorite store can be tempting. But…
Exploring the different types of home mortgage loans available will present you with a wide array of products, terms and options. There are important differences to understand and consider in each of these areas and it can get complex and complicated. It’s a good idea therefore to start with the basics. When looking for a…
A lack of knowledge about the home buying process is one barrier people often encounter. Another large barrier is on the topic of debt. Debt affects every other step of the home buying process, and we’ll talk about that in a moment. We’ll start with the number one barrier to homeownership that people cite: down…
September was National Preparedness Month. The month is designed to encourage individuals and families to plan ahead for emergencies or natural disasters. Much of the pre- planning will center on creating an emergency kit with supplies you might need, and just as important, making a plan for what to do if disaster strikes in or…
It’s tough to sort out the myths from the reality when it comes to homeownership. In a given search online, you can find opposing viewpoints making directly contradictory arguments. We’re going to try to shed some light on the confusion and help separate the facts from the falsehoods: Myth 1: You’re better off buying/Better off…
One controversial tactic in debt collection is a relatively new term, debt shaming. This involves some level of public disclosure by the collector to bring attention to a debtor who has not satisfactorily paid their debt. More often, this tactic is a humiliating experience for the person(s) who is already struggling with their debt. If…
Each payday, as you tackle excessive amounts of debt and your income is just not enough to satisfy all of the payments due to all of your creditors, you are often faced with making challenging choices and decisions. Which bills must be paid, how much will go to each and which could you either pay…
A big part of our financial coaching and education is designed for people who are considering homeownership for the first time. To make a good decision about whether pursuing homeownership is the right move, right now, it’s important to compare the differences of being a renter to being a homeowner. Having access to relevant information…
Many people know when they’re struggling financially. Intuitively, we feel the pressure of not having enough cash to meet all of our obligations. If you live on a cash basis, you will find yourself with no choice but to stop spending when the money runs out. Credit and debt distort our intuitions. When you charge…
Debt can be daunting and often lead to feelings of helplessness and stress. However, it is important to remember that debt is common for many individuals and there is always hope to move forward and live life on your own terms, completely debt-free. We want to help you break the cycle and conquer your debts—all…
For most Americans, owning your own home is a dream that can come true. At credit.org, we’ve always advocated that homeownership should be part of your long-term financial plan, helping to build overall wealth and stability while improving your financial security during retirement years. Making the decision to pursue and ultimately become a homeowner is…
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