Types of Student Loan Debt
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…
Credit and Debt
Improve your credit score, manage debt, and understand how credit works. From credit card usage to debt consolidation and credit repair tips, this section gives you tools to strengthen your financial foundation and regain control of your money.
What Consumers Need to Know About Point-of-Sale Loans
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…
Five Ways Credit Bureaus May Respond to a Credit Report Dispute
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…
Watch Out for the Risks of Personal Loans
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…
How Medical Bills Wind Up On Your Credit Report
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…
The Most Common Complaints Against Debt Collectors
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…
Four Red Flags of Too Much Debt
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…
3 Options for Consolidating Your Credit Card Debt
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…
What’s the Problem with a Low Credit Score?
A low credit score (also known as a bad credit score) isn’t the end of the world. Even if you have a low score, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t live the life you want…
Good Reasons to Review Your Credit Report
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…