Using credit wisely can keep you from going into unmanageable debt. Learn how using credit wisely can help you when you need to buy a house, a car or other large purchase.
During financially uncertain times, it’s understandable that consumers become curious about declaring bankruptcy. For certain consumers with high levels of unsecured debt, bankruptcy can ease the constant worry of how they’re going to pay bills and can be the beginning of gradually rebuilding a solid financial foundation. But one of the persist...
Have you ever tried to use a credit card, only to discover it’s been closed without your knowledge? Or checked your credit report to find your score had dropped because the creditor closed your longest-standing account without letting you know? Having credit accounts closed when you haven’t initiated the closure can send your finances — and c...
As we head into a new month of the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers will struggle to pay their May bills. For some, it’s the first time they have faced this type of financial hardship, and they may not know where to turn. Here’s what to do if you can’t pay some of your May bills. Communicate Clearly Everyone is experiencing the effect...
The COVID-19 pandemic is having an ongoing effect on American’s lives in many ways. One of the most universal is its impact on people’s finances. Record numbers of laid-off or furloughed workers apply for unemployment benefits each week. Additionally, many Americans have or will soon receive economic impact payments, designed to help supplement...
Virtually all Americans and people around the world are being affected by the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19). For many, it means incomes have been drastically reduced or even eliminated with no warning. Federal relief is on the way, but it will take some time for everyone to receive funds. Fortunately, many creditors are taking steps to assi...
When it comes to credit cards, making your payments on time every month is one of the most important things you can do to maintain good credit. But if you’re only making the minimum payment every month, you’re setting yourself up for years of payments. And it could potentially damage your credit in the long run — even if you always pay on tim...
Many consumers plan to receive a tax refund every year. They use it for a variety of things, including paying down high-interest debt. So it’s no surprise that most would rather not wait too long to receive those funds. That’s were tax refund advance loans come in. These loans allow tax filers almost immediate access to their anticipated refund...
As 2019 comes to a close, we thought it would be interesting to see which blog posts you clicked and shared the most. It is always our goal to bring you financial information and education you can use to help you save money and reach your financial goals. Let’s take a look at the top blog posts for the last year: Helping Veterans W...
As consumers become increasingly aware of the dangers of high-interest payday loans and car title loans, a new type of loan is quickly gaining popularity. Sub-prime borrowers are now flocking to online installment loans. At first glance, they may seem like a more manageable option, since the loans are designed to be paid back over time, rather than...
When money is tight, a credit card cash advance can seem like an easy solution. But it comes at a cost. In many cases, a cash advance comes with a higher interest rate than that for credit card purchases. And there’s no grace period; the interest begins to accrue right away. When you begin to see a cash advance for what it really is — a short-t...
COVID-19 Update