How Often Should You Check Your Credit Score
You have probably heard about the importance of your credit score and credit history, and may have even shrugged it off, but there are a number of reasons to check both. First you need to know what’s a good credit score. Then you know that the better your credit score, the better your chances of being approved […]
Practical Ways to Break the Bondage of Debt
From governments and corporations to individuals, debt is an epidemic. The statistics reported by The Credit Examiner paint a grim picture of the America’s financial health. Americans owe a collective $11.38 trillion. $8.15 trillion in mortgages, $914 billion in student loans, $852 billion in credit card debt and $72 billion in auto loans. Let’s break […]
Good Debt vs. Bad Debt
The accumulation of debt is can be a necessary evil for personal finances. The majority of us don’t have enough cash on hand to pay for a child’s education or a house. However, a majority of people often let debt grow to dangerous levels. This is due to wanting things now and not putting money […]
The Pros and Cons of Co-signing a Loan
There are many situations where you might find yourself being asked to co-sign a loan. Often such a request can arise in the context of a personal relationship. For example one of your children may ask you to co-sign a loan for a first car or for college tuition, or a friend or relative in […]
Should You Pay Off Your Auto Loan Early?
Carrying debt is always a drain on the finances, so many people look to pay off their loans early. When you’re talking about credit cards or other high-interest revolving debt this is certainly true. But when you’re talking about a lower interest installment loan the benefits may be far less than you anticipated. The reason […]
Payday Loans – Ripping You Off One Fee at a Time
Payday Loans Can Cost You Thousands Payday loans go by a variety of names: payday loans, cash advance loans, check advance loans, post-dated check loans, or deferred deposit check loans. They sound harmless, because in most cases you’re just borrowing money to get you through to pay day, but under the surface they are one […]
Teaching Personal Finance in the Classroom and at Home
Money is a taboo subject among most Americans, and few families even stop to consider discussing the household budget with their children. But with consumer debt totaling $13.4 trillion in 2010, according to the Wall Street Journal, students need a sound financial education just as much as they need a firm foundation in other subjects. […]
Use a Credit Card Responsibly to Earn Rewards While Shopping
Credit cards get a bad rap, although it is justified. Credit cards can pose a danger to your personal finances if you use them irresponsibly. Unfortunately, this is all too easy to do and it’s why credit card debt is such a problem in this country. Just making a few purchases and forgetting to pay […]
Managing Your Credit Responsibly for Financial Gain
Many people know at least a few people who have struggled with their finances over the years. It may have occurred to you to simply forgo credit cards and loans altogether so that you aren’t tempted to fall into the same trouble. While this may be a noble goal, it may not be the best […]
How to Use a Debt Snowball to Get Out of Debt Fast
One of the more effective ways to help pay down debt is to create a budget you know you can afford each month for paying off your obligations, and then finding a method for effectively applying that budget. A proven way to accomplish this is the debt snowball. With the debt snowball method, you create […]
