Getting Your Finances Ready for a Home Purchase
Preparing for a mortgage can be a stressful process. The lender wants to see that you have a solid credit history, a low amount of debt, a stable employment history, and enough income to afford…
latoyairby
LaToya Irby is a full-time freelance writer and a graduate of the University of Alabama. She primarily writes about personal finance, freelancing, and other self-employment topics.
A Good Reason to Pay a Collection Quickly
Numerous businesses use debt collection services to help recoup the cost of unpaid debts. For example, if you cancel your cable service and don’t pay the last month’s bill, your ex-service provider may send you…
In 2012, Consumers Are Happier With Their Credit Cards
The past several years have been rough for consumers and credit card issuers. Prior to the Credit CARD Act of 2009, credit card issuers were cutting credit limits without notice, raising interest rates to the…
New Scam: Watch Out for Smishing Text Messages
Identity thieves will use any means available to trick you into your giving up your personal information. You may be familiar with phishing scams where scammers email you seemingly legitimate messages from your bank or…
Financial Tips for the Self-Employed
Self-employment can be risky, especially from a financial standpoint. Managing your money is especially important given the potential ups and downs that come with being your own boss. Being smart with your money is critical…
Your Credit Score Affects Interest Rate
Every debt instrument has an interest rate, typically expressed as an annual percentage rate, or APR. The interest rate the annual amount you pay for borrowing $100. For example, if your APR is 5%, you’d…
You Might Have a Hard Time Getting Approved If…
Some people can expect to have a hard time getting approved for new credit cards and loans. You might be one of those people. You have a low credit score. Credit scores are designed to…
Can a Charge-Off Be a Good Thing?
Truthfully, a charge-off is one of the worst things that could happen to your credit report and score. Charge-off happens after your account has become 180 days delinquent. By the time a creditor decides to…
What’s a Good Credit Card for After Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is hailed as one of the most catastrophic of financial events. Fortunately, it’s not the end of the world. In fact, bankruptcy, in many ways, is more like a new beginning. It’s a time…
Watch Out for Hidden Bank Fees
Banks and consumers have a conflict of interest. Consumers want free checking accounts and to pay as little as possible for services. Banks, on the other hand, want to make millions and billions for their…