Debt collectors are known for using intimidation tactics to bully people into paying outstanding debts. Don’t get me wrong – there’s nothing wrong with a creditor or collector pursuing you for a debt that you’ve agreed to pay. However, it’s often the way collectors go about collecting debts that keeps them in trouble with the authorities. No matter how much weight they throw around, you’re not totally powerless against debt collectors. You don’t have to live...
The amount of outstanding student loan debt has surpassed that of credit card debt for the first time in history. Studies predict the amount of student debt could pass $1 trillion this year. Student loan borrowers all over the country are crushed by student loan debt. What makes student loans more burdensome than other types of debt is that it’s nearly impossible to have the debt discharged in bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection...
“You can run, but you can’t hide” is never truer than when it comes to money, more specifically to owing money. You can get away with not paying your bills for a little bit, but eventually your creditors, lenders, the IRS, and every other person you owe will all catch up to you. The longer it takes, the worse the consequences can be. Credit card delinquency Credit card debt seems harmless. The creditor doesn’t have the...
Out of all the bills you pay every month, only a few of them are routinely reported to the credit bureaus. For example, credit cards and loan payments are almost always updated on your credit report each month. On the other hand, payments on your utility bills, cell phone, or insurance generally won’t be listed on your credit report. Pay on time or pay a few days late, the credit bureaus won’t know (you’ll probably incur...
Whether it’s your first job or just a new job, the first paycheck is critical. There’s often a lag between the day you start and the day you get your first check, so you may be anxious by the time the check comes. But, make sure you have a sound plan for how you’re going to spend that check and every check that comes after it. Don’t start spending before you actually get the first paycheck....
The average amount of credit card debt has declined over the past several months, but many families are still struggling to pay basic necessities. Based on a recent survey, 40% of low- and middle-income families have used credit cards to pay for basic living expenses this past year because they didn’t have enough money on hand to pay for those expenses. Basic living expenses include things like mortgage payment, utilities, groceries, and insurance. The statistic come...
The two most important pieces of information on the credit card statement are the minimum payment amount and the payment due date. We have to know this so we can make payment and avoid the consequences of a late payment. But, your credit card billing statement has a lot of other details that are equally important. To confirm your transactions Your credit card statement will include a list of all the transactions made to your account...
The mortgage crisis has left many homeowners in the difficult position of having a mortgage that’s worth more than the home it’s secured by. Being upside-down in a mortgage is an undesirable situation so much that many homeowners have decided to walk away rather than continuing to pay and receive no equity in return. Strategic default is the term used to describe a situation where homeowners voluntarily walk away from their mortgage, especially one they can...
One of the benefits of having good credit is that other credit card issuers want your business. If you haven’t opted-out of credit card offers, there’s a good chance you receive several balance transfer offers each month. As enticing as these offers are, make sure you evaluate whether taking the offer is a good idea. Take Advantage of a Better Interest Rate The best reason to take advantage of a balance transfer is to take advantage...
Sales of existing homes rose in April in all regions of the U.S. and were 10% above the level from a year ago, the National Association of Realtors reported on Tuesday. Home prices also continued to rise, and the national median home price of $177,400 was 10.1% higher than it was a year ago.Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the housing recovery is underway. “It is no longer just the investors who are taking advantage of...
