Loading...
progress
Your request is being processed...
  • 1. What tactics are debt collectors prohibited by law from doing? Views: 49 Public
    Preview
    Terms of Use: The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act applies to those who collect debts owed to creditors for personal, family and household debts, including car loans, mortgages, charge accounts and money owed for medical bills. A debt collector is someone hired to collect money owed by you. A debt collector may not: Contact you at unreasonable times or places, for example, before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree, or at work if you tell the debt collector your employer disapproves  More...
  • 2. What's a tax refund loan? Views: 46 Public
    Preview
    Terms of Use Tax refund loans, also called instant refund loans , or refund anticipation loans , target lower income consumers, but many other moderate-income families fall victim to these offers, as well. For a loan fee ranging from $30 to $115, you receive a loan for the amount of your refund (usually up to $5,000) within one to two days. When your refund is received in a special bank account set up by the lender, the loan is repaid. Cash-strapped taxpayers have paid outrageous loan, a  More...
  • 3. Should I close my credit card if I'm not using it? Views: 45 Public
    Preview
    Terms of Use: With annual fees and interest rates on credit cards, you may be wondering whether to close out an account you're not using. Some are also concerned about identity theft as well as the need to simply control the amount of debt. Whatever your reason for considering closing a credit card account, here are some things to consider: If you close out a credit card that has an unpaid balance on it, your available credit (or credit limit) on that card goes to zero. Your credit score look  More...
  • 4. What things should I consider when selecting a credit card? Views: 44 Public
    Preview
    Terms of Use Consider and compare all terms, including the following, before you select a card: Annual Percentage Rate (APR) - the cost of credit as a yearly rate. Free or Grace Period - allows you to avoid any finance charge by paying your balance in full before the due date. If there is no free period, you will pay a finance charge from the date of the transaction, even if you pay your entire balance when you receive your bill. Fees and Charges - most issuers charge an annual fee; some a  More...
  • 5. Basics about debt Views: 44 Public
    Preview
    Terms of U se High debt and misuse of credit cards make it tough to save for retirement. Money that goes to pay interest, late fees, and old bills is money that could earn money for retirement and other goals. How much debt is too much debt? Debt isn't necessarily bad, but too much debt is. Add up what you pay monthly in car loans, student loans, credit card and charge card loans, personal loans - everything but your mortgage. Divide that total by the money you bring home each month. The r  More...
  • 6. Are credit repair companies a good source to turn to for help in repairing my credit? Views: 44 Public
    Preview
    Terms of Use: Credit repair companies advertise that they can erase bad credit and create a new credit identity legally, all for a hefty fee. Don't believe it . No one can legally remove accurate and timely negative information from a credit report. No credit repair company can do anything you can't do for yourself for free. Only time, hard work, and a personal debt repayment plan will improve your credit report. If you need assistance, you have several options. Credit counseling serv  More...
  • 7. What should I do if I can't make my auto loan payment? Views: 42 Public
    Preview
    Terms of Use Times are tough and many people find themselves out of work and struggling to pay the bills. Faced with not being able to make the next payment on a car loan, you are concerned with how long it will be before the lender repossesses your vehicle and whether there are any other options. What do you do? 1. Inform Yourself Find your loan agreement and read it carefully. One of the clauses will detail exactly what happens if you miss a payment. Your state's law may restrict   More...
  • 8. Getting a handle on debt: His, hers, and ours Views: 42 Public
    Preview
    Terms of Use In order for you to get a handle on your debt, it's important to list everything you owe. Pull together the most recent bills you received, and enter the total amount due on the worksheet provided below. Be sure to add additional line items as needed. Item Amount Home Mortgage or Rent Car Personal Loans Student Loans Credit Cards VISA MasterCard American Express Gas Card Departme  More...
  • 9. Medical bills Views: 41 Public
    Preview
    Terms of Use Did you know that bankruptcies resulting from unpaid medical bills will affect nearly 2 million people this year? Unpaid medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy filing in the U.S. today, outpacing bankruptcies caused by credit card bills or unpaid mortgages. The data finds that most of those who filed for bankruptcy were middle-class, well-educated homeowners and carried health insurance. Since bankruptcy is an extreme measure, perhaps there are steps you can take no  More...
  • 10. How can I deal with debt when I'm out of work? Views: 41 Public
    Preview
    Terms of Use How to Deal with Debt When You're Out of Work You've found yourself without a job, not knowing how long you may be unemployed. What can you do now to manage your finances in the short-term and long-term? Here's a six-step plan: Step One: Prioritize your debts Step Two: Talk with your creditors Step Three: Pay what you owe (at least the minimum payment amount) on time Step Four: Cut back on your expenses Step Five: If you have to borrow, find the least expensive sources  More...
All information provided through this site is intended to be accurate. However, there may be inaccuracies from time to time which we will make every attempt to correct immediately. Information provided is intended to assist you in making decisions and does not eliminate the need to discuss your particular circumstances with a qualified professional.