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Resources & Knowledge for a Secure Financial Future
Take Charge America is dedicated to improving financial literacy among people from all backgrounds facing a variety of financial challenges. Bookmark this page to reference whenever you have a financial question, concern or opportunity.
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The Latest Financial Guidance
5 Things to Never Say During a Job Interview
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 […]
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How to Handle Errors on Your Credit Report
Reviewing your credit report at least once a year is an important part of managing your personal finances. Ensuring the information contained in the report is accurate can help you when making a large purchase, such as buying a new vehicle or applying for a mortgage. Many employers now check prospective employees’ credit reports as […]
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How to Find Free Summer Lunch Programs for Kids
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 […]
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5 Smart Ways to Use Home Equity
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 […]
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Online or Phone Credit Counseling — What’s Right for You?
Credit Counseling is a free service offered by nonprofit credit counseling agencies — like Take Charge America — that helps consumers find solutions for their credit card debt. The process includes reviewing a consumer’s income, expenses and debts, formulating a workable budget and developing an action plan to tackle credit card debt. At Take Charge […]
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How to Calculate Your Credit Score
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 […]
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Who’s Who On Your Homebuying Team
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 […]
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How to Rebuild Your Finances After Bankruptcy
Although declaring bankruptcy can provide relief from the worries of unmanageable debt, many consumers wonder when and if they will be able to secure new credit at reasonable rates. Your credit report will reflect the consequences of bankruptcy for 7-10 years. But that doesn’t mean it will take that long to rebuild your credit. Fortunately, […]
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6 Tips to Rent an Apartment with Bad Credit
Your credit score is about more than obtaining credit at reasonable rates. It can also affect your ability to do other things such as get a job and rent a place to live. Having bad credit makes it more challenging — but not impossible — to rent an apartment. Let’s review some tips on how […]
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5 Questions to Ask Before You Lend Money to a Friend
Most of us don’t think twice about buying a coffee or picking up the lunch tab for a friend who’s low on cash. But what about when a friend asks you for a more significant loan? Before you answer yes or no, ask yourself these questions. They can help you decide if you should lend […]
Read MoreAssessing Next Steps in Debt Relief
If you’re unsure where to turn, start with a free and confidential credit counseling session. We will review your income, expenses and debts to determine the best course of action.
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