Articles » Credit Management
-
Questionnaire To Determine If Your Future Spouse Is Financially Compatible
Before considering marriage, you and your partner should take the time to complete and thoroughly discuss the following questionnaire. This questionnaire will help you assess your “Financial Compatibility.” The rules for the questionnaire are simple and straightforward: On a separate sheet of paper, you and your partner independently answer each question, with one to three-sentence responses.
-
Learn How To Have Your Student Loans Canceled
Under certain circumstances, you may be able to cancel your obligation to repay your federally guaranteed student loans, defer your payments, or enter into a payment schedule that fits with your income. If you're in default, you may be able to get out of default and avoid a lawsuit, wage garnishment, or loss of your tax refund.
-
Benefits Of A Debt-Management Plan
For about 25 percent of those who turn to credit counselors, more than advice is prescribed. In these cases, in addition to an action plan, a debt-management plan is recommended. A debt-management plan (sometimes called a debt-repayment plan) involves the agency as an intermediary (for a small monthly fee it handles both communications and payments on your behalf) and it includes revised payments that:
-
Relationships & Money: Research Your Partner's Debts Before Making Big Choices
Budgeting and saving should be easier for you if you are single than if you are married (or a couple) because you are the only one that should be making your financial decisions and controlling your financial destiny. Single people realize that an extra paycheck doesn't necessarily mean extra money. An extra paycheck usually equates to an extra person (your spouse) having a say as to how, where and when your money is spent. And many times this can create conflicts.
-
It's Tough To Save Money When You Are Already Broke – But You Can Do It!
One of the best ways that anyone can utilize in order to keep credit from getting worse or the debts from piling up further is to have a savings cushion on which to draw upon when life's unexpected events come to call. Your goal should be to save three to six months of living expenses in a savings account that allows you access to the funds when you need them.
-
Why Do So Many Adults Have A Hard Time Managing Their Money?
There may be several reasons why adults have money-management problems. The lack of knowledge on how to deal with these problems can be one of the biggest causes of why so many families, generation after generation, continue to suffer financially. But, with regard to your lack of knowledge in dealing with money-management issues, it may not be totally your fault.
-
Severals Ways To Get Out Of Debt & Save Money
Earmark Your Savings for a Payroll Reduction: Select a certain amount to be deducted from your payroll check and deposited right into your savings account. So, before you ever see it, it's already in there. (If you go and withdraw this money each time you say you need it, then you've defeated the purpose.)
-
Ways Of Getting Out Of Debt & Saving Money
Save! Save! Save!: If you can't start saving 20% of your monthly net income or 75% of your monthly disposable income right now, then start off with less, and gradually increase the amount. By practicing money-saving techniques, you will find extra money during the month that you didn't even know existed.
-
Ways To Get Out Of Debt & Save Money
Establish a Budget and Stick to It: Most people can't tell you where their pay checks go each month. All they know is that they don't have enough money to make ends meet. That's like having a checking account, writing checks, and never balancing it. Don't leave the management of your money to chance like that. Establish a budget and stick to it. However, before you can establish a budget, you must first know how much money you are currently spending each month.
-
5 Questions You Must Ask A Credit Counseling Service Before Deciding
The fact that there are so many bad credit counseling companies out there shouldn't make you avoid them entirely if you could benefit from legitimate help. If you're already behind on your bills, unable to make minimum payments, borrowing from one card to pay another, or otherwise demonstrating signs of extreme financial distress, credit counseling might be preferable to bankruptcy.
-
How Being “Frugal” Can Help You Gain Financial Independence
To maintain control over your financial situation, you need to limit yourself. When doing so, be strict - but not too strict that you will be more apt to give up. With self-discipline, you are bound to succeed in improving your financial situation. In other words, learn to enjoy life as a cheapskate!
-
Applying For A Credit Card? Check Out These 5 Comparison Shopping Tips
When it comes to obtaining a new credit card, you may not have as many choices as people who already have good credit. But you should still do some comparison shopping to make sure you are getting the best deal available to you. Credit card terms and interest rates vary - and some of those variations can make a huge difference to your wallet. Always shop for the card with the best interest rate and terms.
-
The Importance Of Keeping Good Financial Records
In order to save money, budget for the unknown, and keep from going into debit, you'll have a very difficult time knowing what to estimate for these expenses if you don't keep good records. Record-keeping may be one of duller ways to spend a rainy Saturday, but it really pays big dividends when you need quick access to important financial information.
-
Saving Money & Becoming Debt-Free Requires Deep Changes
If you are trying to lose weight, what do you do? You change your eating habits by reducing your intake of fat grams and calories, and you increase your amount of physical activity. Successfully losing weight and keeping it off requires a change in your lifestyle and frame of mind. Changing your financial position for the better is no different.
-
Filing For Bankruptcy: Which Plan Is Right For You?
The majority of people who file for bankruptcy opt for Chapter 7, which wipes out most unsecured debts. (Unsecured debts are those that aren't linked to specific property, such as a car or a house. So your mortgage is a secured debt; your credit card bills are unsecured.)
-
Staying Out Of Debt With The IRS At Tax-Time
Typically, your employer deducts or withholds income taxes from your paycheck based on the number of your deductions. The deductions reflect an estimate of what you'll owe - but most people end up either paying something more to the IRS or getting a tax refund with money back.
-
8 Solid Tips When Applying For Credit Cards
Many people who have had serious financial problems misused or overused their credit cards. The following tips will help you when you apply for credit cards or an increased credit limit:
-
Reasons Why Adults Have A Hard Time Managing Their Money
There may be several reasons why adults have money-management problems. The lack of knowledge on how to deal with these problems can be one of the biggest causes of why so many families, generation after generation, continue to suffer financially. But, with regard to your lack of knowledge in dealing with money-management issues, it may not be totally your fault.
-
Relationships & Money: Research Your Partner's Debts Before Making Big Choices
Budgeting and saving should be easier for you if you are single than if you are married (or a couple) because you are the only one that should be making your financial decisions and controlling your financial destiny. Single people realize that an extra paycheck doesn't necessarily mean extra money. An extra paycheck usually equates to an extra person (your spouse) having a say as to how, where and when your money is spent. And many times this can create conflicts.
-
Questionnaire To Determine If Your Future Spouse Is Financially Compatible
Before considering marriage, you and your partner should take the time to complete and thoroughly discuss the following questionnaire. This questionnaire will help you assess your “Financial Compatibility.” The rules for the questionnaire are simple and straightforward: On a separate sheet of paper, you and your partner independently answer each question, with one to three-sentence responses. Be detailed and thorough.
-
Being “Frugal” Can Help You Gain Financial Independence
To maintain control over your financial situation, you need to limit yourself. When doing so, be strict - but not too strict that you will be more apt to give up. With self-discipline, you are bound to succeed in improving your financial situation. In other words, learn to enjoy life as a cheapskate!
-
The Rights You Have Against Debt Collectors
Unfair Practices: No debt collector can use dishonest or unfair means of making you pay your debts to them. The following actions are deemed to be violations of the law by these debt collectors:
-
Rights You Have Against Debt Collectors
False or Misleading Representations: Collection agencies are prohibited from making false or misleading representations to consumers in the course of trying to secure debt repayment. Some violations of the-law in this area include:
-
A List Of Rights You Have Against Debt Collectors
How Creditors Track You Down: This area of the law is formally called "Acquisition of Location Information." It basically limits what debt collectors can do to legally find you.
-
What To Do When There Is A Bank Error In Credit Reporting
Because their business is loaning money to their customers, all banks aggressively report credit items when they are found. The credit reporting industry was created in large part to aid banks in making lending decisions. Although banks often grant "secured credit" - meaning that they can attach specific items such as your house or car to a loan agreement - they are still vulnerable to your failure to keep a payment promise.
-
2 Reasons Why Big-Ticket Purchases Can Help Your Credit
Making a major purchase may give your credit score a boost for two reasons...
-
Are You Unemployed? Learn The Smart Way To Utilize Your Credit & Your Cash
If you're already unemployed, don't beat yourself up. You're in good company. It happens to the best of us and it often happens more than once. Now that the unwanted event has arrived, if you've established savings, regardless of the amount, and you have some available credit lines, you have two tools that will be a big help to you to get through this time without damaging your credit. Using a combination of credit and cash you can put together a new plan that includes finding that new job and a budget/spending plan that works while you do so.
-
Discipline Yourself When It Comes To Spending Money
Each of us has to have some sort of discipline in our lives, so why not set boundaries for yourself with regard to money? If you don't, you will end up having no control over your own financial situation. Some of you may already be there.
