Interest is the price you pay to borrow money. When a lender provides a loan, they make a profit off of the interest paid on top of the original loan amount. Interest rates affect the true amount you pay for homes, cars and other purchases made with credit. How an interest rate is determined depends…
Posts Categorized: Credit and Debt
One way people seek to address their debt is by transferring balances to a new credit card. They might be consolidating multiple cards into one debt, or combining different kinds of debts under a new revolving credit card account. This kind of strategy isn’t for everyone, and like any debt repayment strategy, has upsides and…
Warm weather may inspire you to fling open your windows and tackle some serious spring cleaning. Why not channel some of that fresh-start energy into your finances? Just like clutter accumulates at home, bad spending patterns can creep up bit by bit, making them hard to spot. Commit to dropping a few of these bad…
We help people eliminate debts like credit card balances and achieve financial freedom, so it’s often assumed that we are against credit card use. That’s not true; we know credit cards are a necessary part of your personal finances, and the truth is that there are some benefits that are impossible to ignore. In fact,…
If you’re like the majority of U.S. taxpayers, you’ll soon have a tax refund check burning a hole in your pocket (if you haven’t received it already). What next? Using your refund wisely can accelerate your progress toward important financial goals. Here are our top suggestions to make the most impact with your tax refund….
We recently wrote about 5 things to know about paying off a credit card. While we coach people to pay off their debts and live more on a cash basis, we recognize that credit cards also have some very important benefits. There are, however, some risks that can be a serious threat to your personal…
As we enter the spring of 2018, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, remains an important legal protection for consumers who are dealing with debt collectors. Due to its importance, our free Consumer Guide to Good Credit has valuable information about the FDCPA. The FDCPA was passed in 1977 to restrict abusive activity…
For some people, tax refunds can be a nice addition to a bank account each year. However, if you have a list of urgent bills, overdue debts, or large purchases, your tax refund might be more of a financial necessity than padding for your savings account. Once you file your taxes, refunds can take weeks…
Many financial experts say one credit card is all any consumer needs. Yes, it’s possible to have multiple credit cards and manage them wisely, but ultimately, the typical consumer should be able to get by with only a single card. However, if you happen to make a lot of purchases online or travel, you may…
Leaving your 20s behind can feel like a call to be more responsible, a more full-fledged “adult” than you were in college and those first years on your own. Many articles suggest trips to take before you turn 30. Our advice? Don’t worry about booking vacation flings before a birthday deadline. Those countries will stick…
Debt Collectors Keep Calling Me! No one likes getting calls from debt collectors. Owing money to a group of strangers who have all of your personal information can be frightening and stressful. But why do debt collectors call? You typically only receive collection calls when you owe a debt. Collection agencies buy past-due debts from…
Simply put, getting a mortgage with bad or even no credit is a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right help, you can take control of your financial health by improving your credit and getting the best mortgage rates you. What do Mortgage Lenders Look For? When you apply for a mortgage,…
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