Debt Management Blog

6 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...

You Asked, We Answered:  Credit Card FAQs

What’s the deal with “soft” vs. “hard” inquiries?  How does a secured card work?  How many credit cards is too many? As someone who has made a career out helping people with debt and credit card problems, I answer a lot of questions, and with good reason.  Credit cards...

7 Tactics for a Financially Sound Year

It’s official: The New Year is here.  What better time to give your finances a fresh start?  Maybe you’d like to make this year the year you pay off that high-interest credit card debt or the year that you finally buy a home or bulk up your emergency fund. ...

5 Not-So-Rewarding Credit Card Rewards

Five Not-So-Rewarding Credit Card “Rewards” Have you shopped around for a credit card recently?  If you have, you probably noticed that there’s a mind-boggling selection of cards out there, each offering a unique combination of terms, interest rates, and – of course – extra perks. Credit card companies know...

Cut These Expenses and Watch Your Savings Grow

Want to make this a great year for your finances?  The new year is a great time to set some money-related goals, whether you’d like to pay off your high interest credit card debt, beef up your emergency fund, or save up for a big purchase like a vacation...

7 Strategies for Cutting Your Grocery Bill

7 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...

Not-So-Frugal Mistakes that Frugal People Make

Not-So-Frugal Mistakes that Frugal People Make A new year is just around the corner, and for a lot of folks that means a fresh start on finances: A chance to pay down credit card debt, save money, and create a budget. And if you’re planning on making 2016 the...

Save Tax-Time-Stress with this Easy Checklist

Save Tax-Time-Stress with this Easy Checklist ‘Tis the season . . . to get ready to do your taxes. No, really. That may sound crazy – it’s early November, after all.  You haven’t even finalized your Thanksgiving menu.  You’re still trying to sort out holiday travel plans.  You won’t...

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...

8 Tips to Save During the Holiday Season

8 Tips to Save During the Holiday Season  It’s official: The holiday season is here. There’s a lot to love about that festive stretch of time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day: The parties, the food, the over-the-top decorations, and the gift exchanges are all part of what makes...