Mary Tomkins is a freelance writer located in Spartanburg, SC, with emphasis on economic news and research on the financial industry.
Is it a good idea to prepay your mortgage? Mortgage prepayment is a topic that financial experts often don’t agree on. Many financial advisors say that you can get a better return on your money… Prepaying Your Mortgage- Is It a Good Idea?
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced on Sunday that the government will take charge of the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), commonly known as Fannie Mae, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), commonly know… U.S. Government Takes Charge of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
The years of unsolicited junk-mail you’ve received from credit card issuers and loan companies may have finally paid off. Millions of American consumers could be awarded free credit monitoring services from TransUnion, one of the… TransUnion Offers Settlement on Class-Action Lawsuit
More relief for drivers in the U.S., gas prices are dipping lower for the 7th week in a row. The average price for gas in the U.S. is $3.67 a gallon for regular unleaded. Crude… Gas Prices Drop for the 7th Week in a Row
A Lesson Learned Overdrafts and bounced checks can be extremely costly, severely punishing a consumer for a simple mistake in record-keeping. I clearly remember the first time I bounced a check, and it ended up… Avoiding Overdrafts and Bounced Check Fees
Record numbers of foreclosures in the U.S. have presented scam artists with an opportunity to take advantage of desperate homeowners when they’re already down. The Federal Trade Commission issued a warning to consumers about crooks… Watch Out for Foreclosure Rescue Fraud
Paying off debt is a concern for many consumers, and there are different opinions on the best way to go about doing it. Mathematically, it makes more sense to first pay off the debts that… The Debt Snowball
Money management should be a simple task. It’s all mathematics; such a clear-cut approach should guarantee success. But, no, it’s not that simple. Throw some human emotion into the formula, and you often have, well,… The Emotional Relationship with Money
Credit utilization ratio – a significant factor in your credit score Most consumers who keep a close eye on their credit score know exactly what a credit utilization ratio is; it’s the percentage of your… Your Credit Utilization Ratio
Inflation rates in the U.S. have risen faster than economists have predicted. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose… Inflation Picks Up the Pace