We cover the basics and more about personal finance, answering frequently asked questions about credit and debt, identity theft, saving for college, retirement, estate planning, insurance, taxes, job hunting, and raising money-savvy kids. Check out the articles, columns, blog posts, radio shows and videos for tons of personal finance advice.
Avoid Personal Finance Mistakes After Disaster
When faced with disaster, many people make personal finance mistakes. What can you do to avoid personal finance mistakes after a disaster? Being thoughtful and slow in decision-making can help you avoid personal finance mistakes after a disaster. And part of being ready for a disaster means planning ahead.
How Reverse Mortgages Work
Need personal finance advice? If you are over 62, a reverse mortgage may be the answer to your personal finance problems.
Personal Finance Advice: Credit Monitoring Services
Credit Monitoring Services are in demand right now, as consumers want to protect their identity and their credit history. The three credit reporting bureaus. Equifax, Experian and Trans-Union each offer monthly services to monitor your credit. They will notify you if someone accesses your credit history or social security number or if there are changes to your credit history.
Using IRA Funds To Purchase Real Estate
Although IRA rules specifically prohibit using IRA funds to purchase a property for personal use, the rules don't seem to say anything about using IRA funds to purchase a property for investment. At least, this is the loophole that many IRA holders are using to purchase investment property. Many companies specialize in helping people use their IRA to purchase investment property.
How Do Late Medical Bills Affect Credit Scores?
How will being late on my medical bills affect my credit score? If your medical bills go to a collection agency, it affects the "payment history" component in calculating your credit score. Other factors play into determining your credit history, but payment history is the largest one.
Home Moving Tips: Things To Do Before You Move
Moving involved more than closing on a house or signing a lease. In addition to getting your home packed up, you've got utility accounts to close and open, change of address cards to fill out and dozens of other items on your "to do" list. Here are ten tips you can do that will help make your move go a little bit easier. You can even use it a checklist.
Owing More Than Market Value Of Home
Owe more than your house is worth? When home debt exceeds home equity, it's a big problem. Economists have predicted this might happen more when consumer start tapping their home equity at the same time home appreciation tapers off or even stops. The best way to get on top of the loan is to spend a year or two making extra loan payments.
Pay Off Mortgage In Full
Homeowners receive a monthly statement from their lender indicating what they owe on their loan, and how much interest they're paying. They think that if they pay the balance due, they will pay off the loan. But the payoff is usually more than what is indicated on the statement. The lender's monthly statement does not typically include interest owed from the last payment date. You will need to order a "demand letter" or a "payoff letter" from your lender to calculate the exact amount needed to pay off the loan in full.
Completing Debt Management Program And Credit Score
When you get behind in your bills you may decide to participate in a debt management program from a non profit credit counseling agency. What happens to your credit score when you complete the debt management program? If you've successfully followed the debt management program your credit history may look better and your credit score may increase.
Pay Off Car Loans Or Mortgage First?
Should I pay off my house loan or should I pay off my other debts first? If you come into some extra cash, first check if you own any taxes on the cash. Then you should pay off the non-deductible debts first, then take the savings from paying off those loans and apply it to other debts like a mortgage. If you come into some extra cash, first check if you own any taxes on the cash.