The total number of employers fell in the U.S. in 2010 for the third consecutive year in a row - but at a slower pace than earlier years, according to a government report released on Tuesday.There were 7.4 million U.S. businesses with paid employees in 2010 - a decline of 36,800 establishments from the year before, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. From 2008 to 2009 there was a decline of 168,000 establishments.In 2010, total employment...
If you have (or have thought about) a savings account at a traditional bank, odds are you aren’t getting a great rate. Savings accounts have one of the lowest rates of all types of investment and savings vehicles with rates as low as .10%. Put $1,000 in an account earning .10% annually and you’ll only earn $1 by the end of the year. In the past several years, a better type of savings account has become...
Your credit report contains a record of most of your financial decisions. It impacts more of your life than you’d imagine – some parts that aren’t directly related to your finances. If you want to get a credit card or a loan, your credit report will be considered. That means your ability to buy a house or car is influenced by your credit report. Some prospective employers use credit reports to screen job candidates. Your current...
Lower home values are contributing to the student loan crisis as parents can’t get the funding to help their kids through college, according to a report released by the National Association of Home Builders.“The rising student loan debt problem is another consequence of the housing downturn,” said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg. “As more and more parents face tighter budget restraints as a result of lower home values, this is forcing an increasing number of students to...
Of all the types of information that can be stolen, thieves steal credit card numbers the most. According to an Identity Fraud Report from Javelin Strategy & Research, most data breach victims in 2011 had their credit card numbers stolen – 43%. And only 22% of debit card numbers were stolen. Fewer people had their social security numbers compromised – 16% - and only 9% of checking account numbers were compromised. Credit card numbers could be...
Key reports released this week point to the economy losing steam. Consumers are nervous about the economy despite the recent drop in fuel prices. Only 22 percent of people surveyed felt the economy was heading in the right direction in June - the lowest percentage in five months, according a Bloomberg consumer poll.“The steady drip of dreary economic data and deteriorating labor market is reshaping public expectations,” said Bloomberg LP senior economist Joseph Brusuelas in New...
Consumers can now check up on credit card issuers on the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website and find out what types of complaints have been filed against lenders as well as whether the issues were resolved within a reasonable time frame.CFPB Director Richard Cordray said in a press briefing, “The Consumer Complaint Database is a major milestone for consumers and all those who are interested in knowing more about their day-to-day experiences.” The beta version...
Paying your credit card balance in full each month is the ideal way to use your credit card. You don’t risk getting into debt and you never have to pay interest on the balance (as long as the card has a grace period). However, many of us have fallen into the habit of carrying a credit card balance because it’s easier. Even if you carry a balance, do it the smart way. Avoid carrying a balance...
Picking out the car is the fun part of the car buying process. The loan, on the other hand, isn’t so much fun. You’ll be stuck with the loan for four or five years, so make sure you shop carefully. Just like you don’t want to end up driving a lemon for the next several years, you also don’t want to be saddled with a bad loan at the same time. Check your credit first. Before...
When it comes to credit, thin is not in. In fact, you want a fat credit file full of lots of positive information. What is a “thin” credit file and how do you know whether you have one? More importantly, how can you get a more desirable credit report? The word “thin” is used to describe a credit report that’s either short or that doesn’t have very many accounts or both. If you’ve just recently started...
