This one number makes all the difference to identity thieves… your social security number. When you apply for a job, the application asks for your social security number. When you apply for a bank account, they want your social security number. When you file a tax return, apply for a loan, get medical treatment, apply…
Posts Categorized: Consumer Tips
As you start the home buying process, it’s fairly common to begin researching available homes through the internet and to understand how much buying power you may have through mortgage pre-qualification. We suggest adding one more invaluable component, investing your time in Pre-Purchase Coaching, provided by a certified coach from a U.S. Department of Housing…
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…
The Home Buying Process The home buying process can be overwhelming, especially for first-time home buyers. We want to give you a quick overview of the process, including some important steps you should do at the beginning of the process. 1. Attend a pre-purchase education course This is a very important first step that too…
“Get your tax refund fast” sounds like the best sentence you could hear that still has the word “tax” in it, but don’t take the marketing bait. You’re better off waiting for your IRS refund check than taking out a potentially costly refund anticipation loan. What Is a Refund Anticipation Loan? A refund anticipation loan…
We get it: The holiday season can get the better of your finances. If you rack up a high balance of debt splurging on gifts for family and friends, and even treating yourself, your budget is bound to suffer. Don’t fret though, our holiday shopping guide can help you stay both festive and budget-friendly. Prevent…
In September 2017, it was announced that Equifax, one of the three major credit bureaus, had been hacked, leaving 145 million consumers and their personal data—half of the adult U.S. population—potentially exposed. Even if you have never requested a credit report from Equifax—or had never heard of the company until news of the breach—your private,…
The holidays are approaching fast, and for many consumers it’s a tough time to try to reduce debt and get through the end of the year without sinking deeper into debt. Do you remember what you received as gifts the last holiday season? Perhaps the people you gave gifts to don’t recall what you gave…
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…
A lot of families rely on their credit cards to pay for their vacations. What they don’t realize is that interest and late fees can add 20 percent to the total cost of their vacation, which could lead to consumers paying for their vacation for months, maybe even years. To avoid carrying the debt from…
Whether it’s spring cleaning or your regular household chores, there are ways to make housecleaning a boon to your budget. Start with the supply closet Before a big cleaning project gets underway take stock of your cleaning supplies. Make sure you don’t buy anything you already have by cleaning out the supply closet and organizing…
Spring is here and people everywhere are getting their hands dirty in the garden. It’s a great activity, and like every hobby our clients are involved in, it can come with unexpected expenses. Let’s talk about how to keep your gardening activities on budget. Get organized—start with an inventory what you have. If you packed…
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