Financial & Consumer Articles
Gain valuable financial and consumer knowledge by browsing through Take Charge America's article library. Whether you need information on budgeting and saving or buying the right kind of insurance, our valuable content will help educate you on important financial and lifestyle information.
I Can't Afford Student Loan Payments »
Those who obtain a college degree, a trade license, or technical certification have a better chance of earning higher salaries throughout their lifetime. Unfortunately, higher education is expensive. Most of us need to use financial aid, scholarships, or loans in order to pay for higher education.
Housing Crisis Programs »
The home-mortgage crisis in the United States has spawned problems in the mortgage, real-estate and banking industries, and many consumers now face mortgage-payment increases in the coming months that could cause the number of foreclosures to climb even higher. Here are two valuable resources for consumers in need of help with their mortgage situation...
Identity Theft »
The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. This is often done to commit fraud, theft or other crimes. It can destroy a person’s credit and ruin their good name. It can also cost a lot of time and money to fix...
Payday Loans and Cash Advance Stores »
As the cost of everything continues to rise, many people are finding themselves running out funds before their next payday. Some are turning to payday loans or cash advance stores just to make ends meet. However, many people are not aware of the total cost of payday loans...
Short Sales »
As many people continue to struggle to make their mortgage payments, they are considering all options that may help them get out of their home. With the drop in home values, one of these options is a short sale or discounted payoff...
Checked Your Credit Report Lately »
Most lenders today automatically contact one or more credit bureaus in the area where you live before approving your loan. Credit bureau reports show most (if not all) of your credit transactions for at least the last 7 years...
Choosing The Right Credit Card For You »
All of us are bombarded with credit card offers today regardless of what debts we already owe. Sometimes the temptation is almost irresistible to sign up and add another piece of plastic to your purse or wallet. True, financial experts...
High-Cost Lending »
Most of us have been offered or have used credit cards. We probably have also received installment loans from a bank or other lender to buy automobiles, furniture, and appliances, and perhaps have even managed to secure a home mortgage...
Financing A College Education »
The challenge of getting ready for college today has become a growing problem for many students and their families due to: A. Growing enrollments and greater numbers of student applicants pressing against limited college...
Your Rights As A Consumer Of Financial Services »
Many people who borrow money believe that all of the rights and advantages of a loan contract go to the lender of funds. Certainly lenders have significant rights as they must have to be able to secure...
Credit Cards: Advantages & Disadvantages For The Consumer »
A form of money (instant spending power) that provides both the capacity to buy goods and services (i.e., carry out transactions) and the capacity to borrow funds (i.e., gain access to credit). II. A BRIEF...
Deposit Insurance in the U.S. - Some of the Things You Need To Know »
Types of insurance plans in use today: 1. The U.S. Government accumulates a fund by making assessments against insured banks’ annual deposits. When a bank occasionally fails, and unless a healthy...
Buying Insurance in Today's World »
Insurance: Financial protection against personal loss has become a must for nearly everyone in today’s world. States require automobile insurance protection for those licensed to drive on their highways in case the driver of a vehicle...
Your Insured Deposit »
Most of us believe that a government-insured deposit in a bank, credit union, savings and loan association, or other depository institution is among the safest places to park our hard-earned savings. And that is generally true,...
Internet Banking: Is It A Good Deal? »
Banks and other depository institutions by the busload are going on-line with their services. Not long ago the federal banking agencies estimated that more than 3500 depository institutions have active web sites. Most of these sites...
Job Uncertainty and Borrowing By Individuals and Families »
There is an old relationship between borrowing and jobs that most economists would probably swear by. When the prospect of unemployment rears its alarming head, individuals and families typically will borrow less or perhaps not at...