Trying to pay off large amounts of credit card debt can feel overwhelming, especially if you only make minimum payments on your accounts. But it can be done. The key is to accelerate your payments by paying more than the minimum so your balance goes down faster. There are two popular methods to doing this: the debt snowball and debt avalanche me...
If it seems like you’re spending more lately on food, clothing, gas, and other essentials, you’re not imagining it. The Consumer Price Index, which measures the average price of goods in the U.S., rose by 5.4% from June 2020 to June 2021 — the most rapid rise since 2008. That means just about everything you’re buying is more expensive. If y...
After several extensions, COVID-19 relief for federal student loans is scheduled to end on September 30, 2021. What does that mean for borrowers? If your loans were current when the special forbearance went into effect, you should plan to resume making payments. If your federal student loans were delinquent or in default at the time, collection eff...
Whether you’re interviewing for your dream job or just trying to pay the bills, job interviews can be stressful. If you’ve left a job interview wondering if you said the wrong thing, you’ll want to keep reading. Let’s learn the five things you should never say during a job interview. “How much vacation time would I have?” Benefits, i...
Families who rely on free or reduced school lunch programs during the year often worry about what’s going to happen during the summer when school is out. Fortunately, there are several ways kids under 18 can enjoy free summer lunch programs, provided you know where to look. Let’s review the details. What are these programs called? Depending ...
One of the many benefits of owning a home is the opportunity to use the equity in your home to make home improvements. Whether you are planning to sell and want to maximize your selling price, or you simply want to enhance your home for your own enjoyment, let’s look at the home upgrades that add the most value. Kitch...
Credit Counseling is a free service offered by nonprofit credit counseling agencies that helps consumers find solutions to credit card debt. The process includes reviewing a consumer’s income, expenses and debts, formulating a workable budget and developing an action plan. At Take Charge America, you may complete this process on the phone with a ...
Your credit score is a critical piece to your personal financial puzzle. It helps determine your creditworthiness and what terms you qualify for on new credit and loans. Your 3-digit credit score ranges from a low of 300 to a high of 850. The higher your score, the more likely lenders will offer you their most favorable terms such as lower inter...
As we head into a post-pandemic summer, you're ready to take a break from the daily grind. But you might not be ready — or have the funds — to travel for a full vacation. The good news is, staying close to home doesn't have to mean sticking to the same old routines. Here are some easy, cheap and really fun staycation ideas: Movie Marathon If ...
Unlike most purchases, buying a home requires a whole team of people to ensure the transaction goes smoothly. As a first-time homebuyer all those people may seem overwhelming, and you might wonder if it’s even necessary to have everyone involved. Let’s take a look at who’s who on your homebuying team and how they can help you. Housing...
COVID-19 Update