Moving Beyond Debt

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…

Because every credit card and loan option has its pros and cons, it is important to understand which options work best for you. Frequently, loan applications are organized in such a way that all you have to do is fill in the blanks associated with the different loan options. Perhaps…

You’ll discover that borrowing money and accessing credit always involves a basic premise – and that premise is consistent regardless of whether your borrowing is associated with a credit card, personal loan, business line of credit, or a long-term loan. The fact of the matter is; you are expected to…

Calculating your loan payments & Secured vs Unsecured Loans When it comes to interest rates, they are either fixed or variable. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Typically, installment loans use a fixed interest rate because the repayment amount and schedule are fixed. However, revolving loans more often than not…

Let’s assume you’ve done everything a responsible borrower needs to do before applying for a loan. Meaning you’ve analyzed and evaluated your needs and financial situation, along with researching the type and costs associated with the loan. Ideally, you’ve even used a loan payoff calculator. The next step is completing…

Debt collectors have a reputation—and in some cases, a well-deserved one—for being unpleasant and even threatening when trying to get debtors to pay. Even though the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was enacted to limit debt collectors’ behavior and actions, some collectors continue to ignore the law. Understanding the…

Given our current economic conditions, inflation and cost of living increases don’t appear to be much of a threat. In fact, today we’re witnessing deflation in the price of oil and other commodities. However, history tells us that it’s unlikely inflation is dead, and when planning for retirement, ignoring the…

Regardless of our age, we’ve heard, read, or even seen movies about The Great Depression, which began in 1929 and continued until the late 1930’s. And although The Great Depression had its origins in the United States, it was global in nature—causing a severe worldwide economic downturn. Unemployment, for example,…