Many consumers know that they have a credit score but they may not know what the score is. As well, many consumers know that there are some actions or inactions that they can take that will help or hurt their score. Again, they know the broad picture, but not the details. Here are some of the things that consumers do that all but massacres their credit score.First of all, consumers should understand that lenders and creditors are constantly...more
Most consumers are aware of the current problems that some financial institutions are experiencing. This has caused some concern for large investors, those with CD investments over the maximum amount that is covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Currently, the maximum allowed is $100,000 per account.The simple answer to this problem is to spread your certificate of deposit money into various accounts at various institutions with...more
By now most American consumers have heard about the sub-prime mortgage crisis. It would be difficult not to have heard about it. What many consumers have not heard much about is the increasing belief that even homeowners with prime mortgages may be facing some issues in the near future.Of particular importance is the threat of lower home values, even for those with the best of credit and the best of mortgage loans. It is no secret that as homes in a particular area begin to fall into foreclosure proceedings, surrounding homes will lose value. The problem seems to work exponentially, too, meaning the more homes that are being lost the more value surrounding homes lose.A recent survey conducted by Zillow.com, an online real estate community, concluded that on average home values across the nation were down more than 5.5 percent from just one year ago. In some of the worst hit areas of the nation, that percentage is even higher.The troublesome news that goes along with this is that according to Zillow.com upwards of 15 percent of nationwide homeowners who purchased their homes within the last twelve months are now in a position where they owe more on the home than what it is currently...more
Did you know that today more individuals are turning toward personal bankruptcy as a way of solving their financial hardships? It is true.During the period from 1998 through 2000 there was a decrease in the filings for bankruptcies but that is not how it is now. New estimates say this year nearly 1 in 70 people will file for some sort of bankruptcy...more
Do you know what to do if your credit cards or ATM cards are stolen? You might be surprised at how many people do not.All consumers should know that the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) offer procedures if your cards are lost or stolen.In general, here is what you should do:You should report the loss or...more
Just like a regular savings account, a money market account is a type of savings account that is offered by banks and credit unions. The main difference is that money market accounts will usually pay higher interest, have higher minimum balance requirements, and often they only allow three to six withdrawals from the account per month. With most market money accounts you are also allowed to write checks on the account.If the account is held in a qualified bank, the money in a money market account is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This means that if the bank or credit union goes out of business your money will be returned to you.With credit unions, your money is insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), another federal agency that protects consumers from loss.Like a regular savings account, the money that you invest in a money market account earns interest. Interest is the money that the bank or credit union will pay you in order for them to use your money to fund loans to others. In very simple terms the process works like this: You put your money into a money market account. The bank or credit union will pay you a certain amount of...more
Many consumers have found that putting money into CD's (certificate of deposit) accounts is a good way to earn additional interest over regular savings accounts. Just like the regular savings account that most of us are familiar with, money that you...more
Most consumers have heard of Chapter 7 bankruptcy but there is another type known as Chapter 13. This article details some of the differences between the two and how they may affect someone who has to file.There are many differences between Chapter 7...more
Most consumers realize that there is a relationship between their debt and their credit reports. The truth is there are several relationships between a consumer's debt and his or her credit reports and ultimately the credit score that is calculated...more
Credit card debt reduction services are becoming more popular as more people find themselves in financial trouble. Consumers who believe that credit card debt reduction services may be an option for them should first do some homework. Two things are...more
Most people are familiar with the word bankruptcy, but many do not know much about Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This article deals with some of the more common issues associated with this particular form of bankruptcy.First of all, Chapter 7 is the most...more
Debt repair companies can do wonders for some consumers but as with all things associated with money, consumers should be careful before signing up.Consumers should begin by understanding that there are differences between credit counselors and...more