Credit Card Debt

ATM Safety 15 Tips for a Safe Transaction

Happy November everyone! The leaves are changing, the temperatures are beginning to drop, and you can find pumpkin spice-flavored everything. And here’s a fun fact about ATMs: Did you know that the patent for the first cash machine was filed in October of 1971? That’s right: The ubiquitous ATM machine became common in the U.S. in the early seventies – the very first ones were located in New York City....

Raising Finance Savvy Kids

Financial education is a lifelong undertaking – and, unfortunately, it’s one subject that isn’t taught in schools. If you want to help your kids grow up to be financially responsible adults, it’s really up to you to help them understand money, budgeting, and finances. Ideally slowly with the basics, and work your way up to more complex concepts. Need some suggestions? Read on to get some ideas for age-appropriate...

Nine Smart Spending Strategies for Back-to-School Season

If you’re a parent, you’re likely eyeing the calendar with a mix of anticipation, relief, and dread. On one hand, the approach of the new school year means a return to your normal routine, and it means an end to finding new ways to keep the kids entertained and occupied day in and day out. But on the other hand, the back to school season is really darn expensive:...

Should You Apply for a Balance Transfer?

If you’re struggling to pay down high-interest credit card debt, a balance transfer can be a powerful tool. Balance transfers offer super-low (or even zero-percent) introductory interest rates, which means they help you pay your principal balance off more quickly. But that doesn’t mean that balance transfers are for everyone. Use this decision tree to figure out of a balance transfer is a good option for you.   CLICK...

A Quick Guide to Dealing With Debt Collectors

Debt is stressful, but falling behind on loan or credit card payments can open the doors to an entirely new level of stress – and a near-endless stream of calls from debt collectors. You’ve probably heard a story or two about debt collectors using scare tactics and less-than-legal tactics to contact people and collect past due debts. And, unfortunately, these tactics often work because folks are scared and unsure...

Purchases you should NEVER Make with Your Credit Card

I’ve written several blogs about how to use credit cards the right way – paying off your balance in full; not applying for too many accounts; not treating credit cards like an emergency fund or a source of supplementary income. But credit card use isn’t just about behavior and spending habits. It’s also about knowing what you should and (perhaps more importantly) shouldn’t buy with a credit card. Part...

Curb Impulse Buying to Stop Overspending

If you want to save more money, pay down debt, and become all-around more financially responsible, all you have to do is stop spending money on stuff you don’t need. Sure, that sounds easy. Just stop spending. End of story. But if changing your spending behavior were as simple as flipping a switch, there wouldn’t be people out there struggling with budget problems and credit card debt. Nobody would...

Six Surprising Things That Can Affect Your Credit Score

Six Surprising Things That Can Affect Your Credit Score Ask most people what kinds of things can bring down your credit score, and you’ll likely hear the expected responses:  Paying your credit card bills late.  Maxing out your credit lines.  Having a high debt-to-income ratio.  Opening too many credit cards.  Closing a credit card once you pay it off. You don’t have to have an extensive background in credit...

Seven Strategies for Cutting Your Grocery Bill

Seven Strategies for Cutting Your Grocery Bill Looking for a way to save more money each month? You might want to start with a long, thorough review of your grocery spending habits.  Are you overspending on fancy items you can’t really afford and don’t really need?  Are you going to the store without a plan?  If you’re like most people, you can probably answer “yes” to more than one...

How to Overcome Common Money Worries

How to Overcome Common Money Worries Money worries:  We all have them.  Some of us lose sleep over credit card debt.  Others are more concerned about “what-if” scenarios like getting laid off or getting hit with an unexpected – and costly – emergency.  And still others wrestle with income-related feelings of envy or inadequacy. Unfortunately, there’s no way to really prevent the occasional bout of finance-related fear.  Everyone worries,...