Moving Beyond Debt

Budgeting is often misunderstood. You may view it as restrictive and complicated, or you may have tried budgeting in the past and struggled to stick with it. Maybe you’re actively tracking your finances and looking for ways to make the process more efficient. Whatever your previous experiences are, creating and…

The decision to file for bankruptcy is never easy. If you’re weighing your debt relief options or currently working through a debt settlement program, you may have considered whether bankruptcy is right for you. Although it can provide individuals with a financial fresh start, in some circumstances, bankruptcy can come…

The New York Federal Reserve reported that our total credit card debt reached $930 billion at the end of 2019, showing that many of us are in the red. With debt being so common, it can sometimes feel like a debt-free life is far out of reach. If you’re actively working on…

Whether you’re just starting your debt settlement program or are only a few payments away from completion, you’ll soon experience more freedom to do what you want with your money. After working hard to pay off your enrolled debts and building new financial habits, it might feel like the right…

Under most scoring models, credit scores (also known as a FICO score) range from 300 to 850. The higher the number, the better a person’s credit – it implies that the person is a lower risk to a lender. The score is calculated using a credit report that gathers data…

Did you know that your financial struggles could be putting your health at risk? A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association revealed that 1 in 5 Americans have either thought about skipping, or have skipped, a visit to the doctor because of…

It’s very important to know the rules of the credit card game because if you don’t, you could quickly find yourself in financial trouble and in need of credit card help. The following tips will help new and experienced credit card users avoid unwelcome credit card debt. DON’T accept a credit…

You probably think your credit score is the main thing that lenders and creditors use to decide whether to give you a loan. But they use other tools to measure your creditworthiness and whether you’ll have a tough time repaying a new debt. Keeping your credit in top shape involves…

You should review your credit reports every year and, if necessary, take the time to clean them up. Mistakes on your report(s) can negatively affect your credit score, which is used by lenders to determine if they’ll lend you money and, if so, the interest rate you’ll pay. Some employers…

Wondering “Is a 401(k) right for me”? The simple answer is that it’s a great retirement option for almost everyone, including those in need of debt relief or credit repair. For some of us, retirement seems a very long way off. But with people living longer and Social Security’s future…