Topic
Using Credit Wisely
Precautions for Co-signers
Lenders require a co-signer when a consumer doesn’t qualify for a loan, either due to a lack of credit history or poor credit history. A co-signer is an individual who meets the loan requirements and agrees to cover the loan payments if the borrower requesting the loan is unable to make them. The decision to […]
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Do’s and Don’ts for Using Home Equity
Equity is the difference between a home’s fair market value and the outstanding mortgage balance. When the housing market crashed in the fall of 2007 and into 2008, many homeowners across the nation lost much, if not all, of the equity in their homes. Homeowners who do have equity in their homes have the option […]
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Financial Moves Before Marriage
Is marriage in your near future? Before you say “I do,” you need to make sure you’re financially prepared for this major milestone. We have outlined six financial steps you and your partner need to take before walking down the aisle. Open the Lines of Communication Have you already had the big “money talk”? Financial […]
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Did You Know? The Real Impact of Credit-Getting A Job
A credit report is basically a compilation of your credit history. Your credit score is an estimate of your credit risk, which is based on your credit report. Lenders use this data to determine how likely you’ll be to repay a loan or line of credit. The lower the credit score, the harder it will […]
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Do’s and Don’ts of Negotiating Credit Card Interest Rates
Credit card interest rates aren’t etched in stone. In order to retain business, creditors may lower the interest rates of responsible credit card holders who make the effort to ask. A 20-minute phone call could help you drop a few percentage points, but many often wonder: is it worth it? Let’s take a look at […]
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What to Know Before Closing a Credit Card
If you’re thinking about closing a credit card, there are some things to consider before making the call. The desire to close a card once it’s paid off is understandable, but doing so actually has the potential to harm your credit score, rather than help it. Closing a credit card can reduce your credit utilization […]
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Your Rights As A Consumer Of Financial Services
I. BORROWERS TOO HAVE RIGHTS. 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 the return of their funds. If the lender is a bank or other […]
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Dos and Don’ts for Managing Your Credit Score
Few financial figures are as important as a credit score. The three-digit figure has a major impact on daily life – dictating what you can buy, how much credit you can obtain and even where you live. A credit score is an estimate of your credit risk, which is based on your credit report. Lenders […]
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Your Rights As A Consumer Of Financial Services
I. BORROWERS TOO HAVE RIGHTS. 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 the return of their funds. If the lender is a bank or other […]
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Young Consumers and Credit Cards: How to Maintain Manageable Interest Rates
When we turn 18, the world suddenly changes. We’re officially “adults.” We can vote. We often move away from home. And, we can get credit. For most of us, credit cards play a daily role in our adult lives – whether we use them or not. The temptation to “charge it” always lingers. We must […]
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