Yes, You Need to Check Your Credit Report

Checking your credit history and being aware of your rights is one of the most important steps as a borrower. It is recommended that consumers check their credit history minimally one time a year. The three main credit reporting agencies are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. These credit bureaus are required to provide consumers with one free credit report each year. Protecting your privacy is the single most important reason why you should check your credit report. Credit reports offer a great... 

How to Save Money at Tax Time

Tax filing time comes every year like clockwork and yet people still find themselves rushing around to get their paperwork together and often end up spending money to get their tax work completed. Being unprepared to file your taxes in time is one way you end up losing money because of rush filings, lost deductions, and a push to get refunds back faster. Here are some tips to save money and develop better record-keeping habits when it comes to your income taxes: Don’t procrastinate doing your... 

Is Lending To Family and Friends Smart?

Money issues are often at the heart of many family squabbles because of the nature of transaction. Those who feel comfortable enough to ask for loans from loved ones may also feel less of a responsibility to pay back the money according to the loan terms. Often lenders make the mistake of not getting things in writing to make everything legal which leads to problems down the line when the borrower defaults. While lending to family and friends is a complicated matter, especially because of the emotion... 

Still Got Credit Card Debt? Here’s How to Reduce It

Credit card debt became a huge topic of discussion over the last few years. Mainly, the credit card industry’s propensity for allotting credit lines to people who genuinely could not afford them caused massive chaos in the industry. This chaos led to cut or eliminated credit limits without notice as well as a dramatic increase in people’s interest rates. Many families could barely make ends meet with all of the rising debt. Luckily, it seems that many in the nation began to take a real interest... 

The Smart Way to Buy a Vehicle

Besides a home, a vehicle purchase can be one of the largest expenses you will incur. Many people make the mistake of showing up at the car lot and knowing nothing about what they want, how much they can spend, or how they will finance the purchase. These actions will not only lead to a long, frustrating day, it also leads to people overspending on cars they can not realistically afford. In order to bypass the chaos of vehicle shopping, there are some important things to know before you even step... 

Living Debt Free Is About More than Finances

In order to find financial freedom and truly leave debt behind, you have to change more than your money plans. You literally have to change your money habits by changing how you think. In order to be successful, you first need to be ready and willing to change. While finances are about money, it is just as much about mentality and attitude. Here are some tips to help you find the change you have been seeking for both your finances and your life: Define Why You Want to Change If you are only looking... 

Money Rewind: Are You Sticking to a Budget Yet?

Do you have more bills then money at the end of the month?  Having trouble paying down the mortgage, rent or groceries?  You are one of millions of people who have reached the end of their rope and need help. Due to financial crisis from a job loss, unexpected expenditures or simple over spending, setting a realistic budget can create a sense of calm in what may otherwise be an urgent and out of control situation. What is a Budget? The online wikitionary.org describes budget as “an itemized... 

Money Quiz: Answers to Keep You Debt Free

Starting out on the right financial foot is a great way to make headway into a solvent economic future.  Take the following quiz to see if you are on the right track to financial success. 1. Do you have a budget set up? Creating a monthly budget and sticking to it is a great way to track your spending.  Keeping a monthly tally of your expenditures will outline where you spend and where you can trim your spending. Track your spending including all monthly expenses such as mortgage, electrical... 

Living Debt-Free Can Be Bad For Your Credit Score

Imagine working so hard to pay off all of your debts only to discover that living a debt-free life is bad for your credit score and other aspects of your financial life. As bad as it sounds, it is exactly what happens to many who have done away with credit cards and paid off their loans. Unfortunately, for as hard as people work to get out of debt, the world seems determined to keep people in debt in order to reap financial benefits. Why Does It Happen? Credit scores are based on the different factors... 

Don’t Forget Coins Are Money Too

Saving a few bucks here and there is easier than you think.  There are so many money saving tips out there, many are common sense ways to stretch a dollar.  Following a few of the tips long enough so they make an impact could result in quite a few extra dollars saved rather than spent. Using cash for purchases is a good way to realistically see what you are purchasing and how quickly your cash disappears. Credit and debit cards disguise the impact of spending the use of cash has another benefit,...