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6 Ways to Avoid Bank Fees
Do bank fees have you at a breaking point? From ATM fees to overdraft protection to fees for online bill pay and maintenance (whatever that means, exactly), it seems like most banks today are more interested in taking your money than helping you manage it safely. But the good news is that, if you’re willing to put in a little time and effort, you can find ways to sidestep... -
How To Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
When you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck, few things are as stressful as the last day or two before your next payday: Your bank account is running on empty – and so is your gas tank. You’ve got a stack of bills waiting to be paid, and your refrigerator is looking pretty bare. And when payday finally comes, you find that by the time you fill the car, pay the bills, and... -
What is APR? CRA? FICO? A Guide to Common Credit Acronyms
As someone who works in finance and gives debt advice for a living, I’ve gotten used to all of the acronyms that tend to go along with discussions about debt and credit cards. And I think that, as a result, I sometimes lose sight of just how confusing a lot of these terms can be to everyday people. That’s why I decided to kick off this month with a... -
6 Ways to Pay Yourself First
It’s nearly impossible to read a savings or budgeting blog without coming across the phrase “pay yourself first.” And there’s a good reason that this is such a popular piece of advice: By “paying” yourself first — in other words, setting aside a specific amount of money out of each paycheck — you can build good financial habits and ensure that your savings account continues to grow. Sounds easy,... -
When Debt Collectors Call: Do’s and Don’ts
When Debt Collectors Call: Do’s and Don’ts When you get behind on your bills, few things are as stressful as a phone call or letter from a debt collector. But while turning a blind eye to those calls and letters might seem like a way to ease the anxiety, you’re not doing yourself – or your credit – any favors. The truth is, playing hard-to-get when a debt collector... -
Predatory Lending Scams and Fast Cash Gimmicks to Avoid
Predatory Lending: Scams and Fast Cash Gimmicks to Avoid It’s a sad fact that there’s always someone out there looking to take advantage of folks experiencing money woes or debt problems. From short-term loans with astronomical interest rates to less-than-legit prepaid credit card offers, there’s no shortage of predators out there, just waiting to take advantage of people in tough financial circumstances. These scams and tricks promise financial solutions and... -
How to Boost your Credit Score with a Secured Card
The frustrating thing about credit cards is that, in order to get a credit card, you have to have reasonably good credit. But the only way to build a solid credit history is by establishing a pattern of responsible credit card use. See the dilemma? If you have bad credit, or even no credit, it can be difficult to get back on solid ground, credit-wise. One way to bounce... -
What is a Debt Management Plan? And is it Right for You?
Wouldn’t it be great if it were as easy to get out of debt as it is to get into debt? All it takes is a few months of overspending to create a mound of debt that can take decades to pay back. There’s no quick fix when it comes to paying off credit cards – and that’s especially true if you’re dealing with several cards with high balances.... -
8 Worst Debt Pay Off Tactics
Paying off credit card is always a good thing – but when it comes to how you pay off your credit card, not all payment methods are created equally. Some payment methods should be used with extreme caution. Some should be avoided altogether – even if you have to stay in debt little longer. Surprised to hear me say that? You shouldn’t be. While I’m all in favor of... -
Maxed Out Credit Cards? Advice for Undoing the Damage
One of the worst parts about credit card debt is that, if you’re not careful, it can creep up on you: You start out with the best intentions. You plan to pay off your credit card in full every month. You plan to treat your credit card like cash, and to use it responsibly, as a tool to help you build a solid credit history. It’s so easy to...