Finance Globe

U.S. financial and economic topics from several finance writers.

Five Benefits of Becoming Debt-Free

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Paying off a large amount of debt takes a lot of sacrifice. You have to cut back your spending and sometimes get creative about making more money. Even though it can be stressful and frustrating, the benefits of paying off your debt are worth it. You’ll save money in the long run. The longer you carry debt, the more you’ll pay in interest. Paying off your debt faster lets you save thousands of dollars in interest,...
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Frank
I can't tell you how good of a feeling it is to be debt free. Beyond the financial flexibility, you will feel as though a huge wei... Read More
Monday, 26 August 2019 13:25
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Types of Student Loan Debt

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If you need to borrow for your college or post college expenses, you should know what borrowing options are available to you. Generally there are two major sources of student loans. Federal and private loans are available to individuals, however federal student loans are much more common. There are also advantages and disadvantages to each, so please make sure you research before selecting your borrowing option. However it is important to note that no matter what...
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What Consumers Need to Know About Point-of-Sale Loans

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It's normal for retailers to pitch credit cards to shoppers during checkout. The pitch usually comes with an incentive - like a discount on the initial purchase. More retailers are offering a new payment option for consumers: point-of-sale loans. Customers are offered the loans both in-store and online at checkout. Point-of-sale loans are often offered for big ticket items. With the ease of lending, the loans are also offered for online purchases regardless of price. The...
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Wanderer
Good information as I had not heard of such loans. Now if I get approached on them I will take time to consider and read the fine ... Read More
Thursday, 20 June 2019 12:38
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Five Ways Credit Bureaus May Respond to a Credit Report Dispute

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The information in your credit report has a major impact on whether your new applications for credit cards and loans are approved. Having positive information is key to showing that you're a responsible borrower. Your credit report can only contain accurate, complete, and timely information and you're allowed to challenge any information that doesn't fit the criteria for reporting. If you spot errors on your credit report, you can have your credit report updated by making...
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Wanderer
One thing people need to know, there is a legal basis to a dispute. Disputing because you don't like it or for some other non-lega... Read More
Tuesday, 11 June 2019 06:32
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Watch Out for the Risks of Personal Loans

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Banks and fintech startups are increasingly offering personal loans for consumers who need to consolidate debt, make home repairs, or take care of other financial obligations. While personal loans are becoming easier to access, there still remains some risks to watch out for before you take on new debt. Fixed Monthly Payments There’s a fixed monthly payment based on your interest rate, loan amount, and repayment period. Payments can be difficult to make if you’re having...
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Frank
I do not have direct experience with getting a personal loan, but as you mentioned I would be wary of them as the interest rate is... Read More
Thursday, 27 June 2019 08:41
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How Medical Bills Wind Up On Your Credit Report

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Medical bills have the potential to hurt your credit just like most other types of bills. Medical bills can wind up on your credit report even if you have health insurance, since insurance companies don’t always cover 100% of medical services. Medical service providers don’t drop a medical bill on your credit report right away. They typically give you a give you time to pay the bill in full or make a payment arrangement first. In...
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Wanderer
Good information! Unaware you could dispute and/or have medical bills removed once they are paid. Due to the often large size of s... Read More
Monday, 20 May 2019 03:54
Frank
This is extremely helpful and also had no idea this went on your credit report, great article!
Thursday, 20 June 2019 16:16
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The Most Common Complaints Against Debt Collectors

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently released its 2019 Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Annual Report which discusses trends in consumer debt collection complaints. The FDCPA is the federal law that dictates what third-party debt collectors are allowed to do when they’re collecting a debt. The CFPB receives complaints from consumers about financial services businesses, including collection agencies. After receiving a complaint, the bureau opens an investigation and attempts to work out a resolution between the...
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Frank
I would never work in this industry. I view it as slimy and unprofessional.
Thursday, 30 May 2019 10:08
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Four Red Flags of Too Much Debt

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Consumer debt has been rising steadily as the economy recovered from the 2008 recession and overall consumer debt reached a record $13.5 trillion in the 4th quarter of 2018, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's report on U.S. household debt and credit. Rising levels of debt may not be good for the economy and especially on consumer wallets. Here are some ways you can tell if you're adding too much debt each month. You...
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Wanderer
This is scary as it indicates consumer spending may be out of control. As the author laid out there are limits on out finances and... Read More
Friday, 08 March 2019 06:55
Frank
Completely agree Wanderer. I think we are living in very scary times!
Monday, 18 March 2019 16:18
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3 Options for Consolidating Your Credit Card Debt

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Trying to pay off multiple credit cards can be complicated. You have to break up your extra money between all your balances, which means you’re not making as much progress as you would if you could just pay one debt. Consolidating your credit card debt makes it much easier to pay since you can make a single payment. The hard part can be figuring out the best way to consolidate. Here are a few options to...
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Frank
I think consolidating it with a home equity line is usually the best plan as its usually the lowest interest rate. You can also pa... Read More
Wednesday, 27 February 2019 15:36
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Good Reasons to Review Your Credit Report

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Some people know they have a good credit score, so they don’t see the reason in reviewing their credit report once a year. Conversely, some consumers know they have an average or poor score, which leads them to shy away from their credit report because they’re afraid of what they’ll find. Regardless of which group you fit into - or if you lie somewhere in between – you should get into the habit of reviewing your...
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Wanderer
Realistic suggestions for all of us. In the world of scamming and ID theft, we cannot take much for granted!
Sunday, 10 February 2019 07:45
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