Terms of Use: Your Get out of Debt Step-by-Step Roadmap You've heard the old saying, live within your means. Easier said than done for some. The important thing is that you've reached a point where you realize your life would be a lot less stressful if you didn't have bills to worry about. Short of winning the lottery, what can you do? Here's help. Four rules to live by: 1. Be realistic! If you are spending $500 a month now on food, don't expect to cut your grocery bill t  More...

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...

Terms of Use: Friendly looking people proclaiming the benefits. Smiling representatives, extending a hand. The ads for payday loans and check cashing services are appealing and perhaps you've been tempted to check them out. What is a payday loan? Payday loans are usually small, short-term, high-rate loans intended to get you cash before payday. The idea is that once you receive your paycheck, you'll pay off the loan. These loans may also be called cash advance loans, check advance loans or p  More...

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...

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...

Terms of Use The credit card you pick can save you money Table of Contents: Credit Card Interest Rates How Much Will You Pay? Credit Card Shopper's Checklist Deciphering the Application Glossary For More Information Smart consumers comparison shop for credit, whether they're looking for a mortgage, an auto loan, or a credit card. Comparison shopping is important because it could save you money. When you're looking for a credit card, be sure to consider the costs and terms. They c  More...

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...

Terms of Use If you want to repair your credit, begin by paying off old debts and correcting any issues on your credit report. Perhaps you've been tempted by the credit repair advertisements you've seen that promise to fix your credit report. The fact of the matter is that there is nothing you can't do yourself (free!) that a credit repair clinic can legally do (for a fee!) to fix your credit report. To request a free copy of your credit report, check out the related link below  More...

Terms of Use Most experts agree that if you're paying interest rates on the credit card debt that are higher than the interest you are earning on the money in your account at a financial institution, then you should pay off the debt. Keep in mind that you will want to have some money in your account that is readily available to you in an emergency so that you are not tempted to use your credit card and increase your debt.

Terms of Use When you apply for credit, a creditor may not: Ask about or consider your sex, race, national origin or religion Ask about your marital status or your spouse, unless you are applying for a joint account or relying on your spouse's income or you live in a community property state (Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Washington) Ask about your plans to have or raise children Refuse to consider reliable public assistance income or regularly r  More...