Payday Loan Question
August 5, 2009
Payday loans can bleed you dry. For example, here’s a recent comment from reader Cheryl: “We started out with Payday Loans when we hit financial bottom when I lost my job. We had just moved with a larger mortgage, plus have 2 kids at home to feed. We now have 6 Payday Loans that […]
Avoid Foreclosure Rescue Scams
July 16, 2009
The struggling economy has left many people facing the potential of foreclosure and has created a wave of scam artists that are taking advantage of the fears of desparate homeowners. The Federal Trade Commission is on a mission to help stop foreclosure rescue scams around the country. Here is the FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz’s warning […]
Three Money Traps to Avoid
June 30, 2009
When money is tight, it’s tempting to turn to quick fixes but some of them can have lasting consequences for your money and your future. Obviously times are tough and many people are faced with decisions they thought they’d never have to make but here are three money traps to watch out for. Cashing in your […]
Filing for Bankruptcy – Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
April 29, 2009
Filing for bankruptcy can eliminate or reduce your debt but there are major consequences you should be aware of before you file for bankruptcy. Unmanageable debt is a huge problem in the U.S., bankruptcies totaled over 1.1 million last year; a 31% increase from the previous year. Here is a look at the two most […]
Lending Club as a Debt Consolidation Option
January 22, 2009
Have you decided it’s finally time to take charge of your finances and work on a plan to get out of debt once and for all? If so, congratulations! The bad news is that it may take a while to dig out of your debt hole, the good news is there are dozens of options […]
College Students in Debt Find a Friend in MTV
January 15, 2009
Growing up as part of the MTV generation, I always thought of MTV as a source of entertainment that had an anti-establishment edge. The videos they showed always seemed to push the envelope and were, in my mind, a good commentary on some of the latest trends in the youth culture. Now MTV is using their clout […]
10 Hidden Holiday Costs People Overlook in Their Budget
December 16, 2008
I ran across an article on CNBC about the top 10 hidden costs associated with the holidays, and it struck a chord with me, because I often overlook these expenses during the holiday season. Here is the list from the article and my take on each of them. 1. Holiday meals/gifts for hosts/entertaining My wife […]
Christmas Budgeting – Building A Christmas Fund
November 10, 2008
Halloween is over, Thanksgiving is around the corner, and the biggest shopping season of the year is close to follow. The shopping in November and December is what keeps financial planners and debt counselors employed. Budgeting for Christmas Gifts Many people go nuts with Christmas and holiday shopping. I know I’m guilty of it; I tend […]
Paying Down Debt In Your Marriage
September 8, 2008
Debt can be a real strain on any marriage. Today we’ll take a look at how you can work with your spouse to reduce debt together. Bringing Debt into a Marriage In my previous article, I wrote about the excuses that spouses give about having separate bank accounts. One of those excuses had to do with […]
Past Problems with Credit Cards: A Confession
July 17, 2008
Writer Auditions – Author Henry Brown – Offer Your Feedback Here’s a little something about me: I was an expert on credit cards before I was an expert on my own credit card situation. A few years ago, I got hired to write a series of articles about credit cards. I was deemed the credit […]
