financial education
Banks fighting to corner market for EMV chip credit cards
JPMorgan and Wells Fargo are launching EMV chip equipped smart cards for high-end credit card customers who travel overseas frequently.
Thursday, April 14th, 2011 by By Sam Hoober
Child identity theft victims often targeted by loved ones
No child is too young for identity theft; it happens to children 51 times more often than adults. More than 10 percent in a study had stolen IDs.
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 by By bryanh
Consumers advised to avoid credit card protection plans
Credit card debt protection plans are great for credit card companies but end up being not very beneficial for people who enroll in them.
Tuesday, April 12th, 2011 by By Sam Hoober
Is Applying For A Payday Loan Through A Direct Lender The Best Option?
Using a lender matching service can get you cash in as little as 2 hours. Direct lenders have a very high denial rate for applications.
Consumers opting to pay credit cards over mortgages
Underwater mortgages have encouraged consumers to pay credit cards instead, according to a recent study by the TransUnion credit bureau.
Thursday, April 7th, 2011 by By Steve Tarlow
City of San Francisco grants Twitter a payroll tax break
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has voted in favor of granting Twitter and other technology companies a sizable payroll tax holiday.
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011 by By Steve Tarlow
Mortgage rates rise despite crippled demand for housing
Mortgage interest rates are steadily climbing away from the near record lows that were recently observed, but home sales are staying low.
Thursday, March 24th, 2011 by By Sam Hoober
How Can Installment Loans Help Protect Your Credit Rating?
There are millions of people each year that ruin their credit score because they did not know they could use installment loans to pay their bills before defaulting.
Frivolous tax arguments are amusing, but the IRS penalty is not
When it comes to frivolous tax arguments, the Internal Revenue Service has zero tolerance for clowning around in the name of tax evasion.
Thursday, March 24th, 2011 by By bryanh
Understanding the down side of avoiding credit
Eschewing credit is not a good way to build a credit history. Creditors want to see the borrower can handle credit responsibly.
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 by By Steve Tarlow
Demand that debt collectors verify your debt before paying
When debt collectors beat down your door, stand up to them, and demand that they provide you with written verification of the debt.
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 by By Steve Tarlow
Do Not Fall Behind On Your Bills - See How Short Term Loans Can Help Prevent Late Fees and Penalties.
Short term loans can help you stay current on your bills by providing quick cash so you do not rack up expensive late fees and penalty charges.
State university tuition hikes to lead to more student debt
The cost of tuition for higher education is increasing, and state universities are likely to keep raising rates because of budget cuts.
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 by By Sam Hoober
Beware phantom debt pains from charge-offs
Beware: Even after debt debt drops off your credit report, debt collectors may still be able to collect. Arm yourself with information.
Monday, March 21st, 2011 by By Steve Tarlow
Same day loan industry stands against rogue debt collectors
The Community Financial Services Association of America, which represents U.S. personal lenders, stands against aggressive collection practices.
Friday, March 18th, 2011 by By Steve Tarlow
How To Get A Cash Advance Even With Bad Credit and Bankruptcy On Your Record
Not many people know they are still eligible for cash advances after bankruptcy or losing their credit. There are no credit checks so bad credit does not affect eligibility.
Bridge Loan basics: Financing short-term obligations
A bridge loan is used most often to fill the gap of financing between purchasing houses, but people are finding other ways to use them now.
Friday, March 18th, 2011 by By bryanh
Relocated for work? Consider deducting moving expenses
Moving expenses can be tax deductions, as long as they are business related. It doesn't matter if you are an employee or self-employed.
Monday, March 14th, 2011 by By Steve Tarlow
Experian to include rental data in credit reports
Thanks to Experian RentBureau, some tenants will now be able to contribute to a good credit score by maintaining consistent rental payments.
Thursday, March 10th, 2011 by By Steve Tarlow
Keep Your Debt to Credit Ratio Down By Using Personal Loans Instead of Credit Cards
The higher your credit balance the lower your credit score may be. Personal loans online do not go on your credit report in most cases.
Keep an eye out for commonly overlooked tax deductions
Millions of Americans hand the IRS hard-earned money that they could keep because they overlook deductions hiding in complicated U.S. tax code.
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011 by By bryanh
Applications for mortgage modifications spike with low rates
Mortgage applications have risen recently, though the spike was due to low interest rates spurring interest in mortgage modifications.
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011 by By Sam Hoober
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