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• Credit Reports
  A credit report is simply a record of your credit habits - it shows every time you apply for credit, every time someone makes an inquiry about your credit record, and how you manage your credit. For example, it records whether or not you pay your bills on time, if you maintain a balance or pay your
• Being Approved or Denied Credit
  Once you have applied for credit it may take your lender hours, days or even weeks to approve your request. You should keep the contact information for the person with whom you filed your application so you can call or email to check on the status of your request.. Once you have applied for
• Ready to Buy a Home
  Scenario: Malcolm and Gayle are a young couple living in Iowa. Both have full-time jobs earning a combined annual salary of 80,000.. Scenario: Malcolm and Gayle are a young couple living in Iowa. Both have full-time jobs earning a combined annual salary of 80,000. Their main monthl
• In a Tough Economy, the Federal PLUS Loan May Give Parents Extra Cash Needed for a Child's College Tuition
  If you have a son or daughter in college, the recession may have impacted your savings and investments at a time when you were depending on those resources to pay for college. With lenders tightening up requirements to qualify for personal or home equity loans you may be looking for other financial
• I've gotten myself into a financial mess.
  Have a few late bills? Do you chronically miss credit card payments? Have you defaulted on a loan? Having a poor credit history can wreak havoc when trying to plan for your future. For example, you may end up being turned down for loans or you may be approved for a loan, but at a higher interest rat
• Get a Summer Check Up
  Why not give your credit report a summer check up? Call or go online to the . Why not give your credit report a summer check up? Call or go online to the Annual Credit Reports website to learn how you ca
• If Your Application is Denied
  If you apply for credit and your application is denied, find out why. For example, if a creditor says that your application was turned down because of information they received through a credit report, they are required to give you the name, address and telephone number of the credit bureau that pro
• First-Time Homebuyers Can Use Tax Credit for Down Payment, Closing Costs for FHA Mortgage
  If you, like many potential home buyers, are leaning toward buying a home in part due to the 8,000 federal tax credit you may be in for a very nice surprise. Instead of having to purchase a home, file a federal income tax return and only then get the tax credit, buyers who choose to apply for a.
• Avoiding Additional Debt
  It’s important to encourage the person you are trying to help to avoid taking on debt or increasing existing debt if at all possible during this time. While it may not be possible to avoid borrowing some money during this crunch urge them to: try to only use cash when shopping keep a record of charg
• Budgeting on a Military Salary
  Budgeting can seem very difficult on a military paycheck, especially if your servicemember is not earning a lot and if you, as a spouse, are unable to bring in steady additional income to supplement the military pay. Often it can be difficult for a military spouse to earn additional regular income b
• Debt Negotiation
  Debt negotiation is also commonly referred to as debt settlement. It is one approach to solving unsecured debt problems (typically credit card debt) that may be an option for people who may not be able to make the minimum payments of a debt management plan (DMP). Debt negotiation is also
• The Benefits of Using a Bank Instead of a Check-Cashing Store
  Besides paying less overall for services, you can get a variety of benefits and services from a bank that you can’t get when using a check-cashing store: Your money can earn interest. Unlike when using a check-cashing store for a one-time transaction (i..
• Places to Turn When Money is Tight
  No matter how much you work and plan and take wise financial first steps, like those outlined in the “11 Things Single Moms Must Do, there are times when financial issues can become overwhelming and money seems impossibly tight. Take heart.. No matter how much you work and plan and take wise
• Who Uses Payday Loan Companies and Why
  When or why would you consider obtaining a loan from a company that could charge you upwards of 700% interest? Perhaps you are considering getting a loan through a payday loan company because: you don't know how these kinds of loans really work and you don't know where else you could get the money y
• The Far-Reaching Effects of Filing for Bankruptcy
  While bankruptcy offers the chance for a financial new beginning, it’s not without its costs. Because declaring bankruptcy has such enormous long-term consequences, it should really only be considered as a last resort and with professional financial advice.. While bankruptcy offers t
• Rising Prices, Fewer Financial Choices
  It's not just families that have suffered an unexpected job loss that are using credit to make ends meet. More and more American families are finding that their income doesn't go as far as before.. It's not just families that have suffered an unexpected job loss that are using credit to make ends
• How Thieves Can Steal Your Identity and What Happens When They Do
  It’s frighteningly simple for someone to obtain your personal information. Think about how many times a day you purchase something online, fill out an application or throw out a credit card receipt or piece of mail.. It’s frighteningly simple for someone to obtain your personal information.
• How to Improve Your Credit Score
  Your credit score is not set in stone; it changes over time as you use, manage and maintain your credit. If you have recently learned that you have a low credit score, the good news is that there are things you can do to improve your score: Request and review your credit report on file with each of
• Getting Professional Help
  If you’re at a point where you are having credit card problems, facing staggering debt, are receiving overdue notices, or getting calls from collection agencies you may feel scared. If you’re overwhelmed, can’t figure out how you are going to get out of this, or just feel like you could use someone
• Two Options When Your Credit Limit is Cut
  If your credit limit has been cut (or you receive notification that your creditor is planning to reduce your limit) you have two options Contact the creditor to ask for your current limit to be maintained or reinstated. Collect copies. If your credit limit has been cut (or you receive
• Mortgage Center: Resources
  Mortgage Counseling . Mortgage Counseling HopeNow U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Approved Housing Counseling Agencies Homeownership Preservation Foundation Acorn Housing Corporation Credit Counseling Association of Consumer
• After you've left your job there are a few important steps to take
  Open an IRA. Even if you don't have any accumulated retirement savings through your previous job, open an IRA to begin banking some savings through small or moderate lifestyle changes. . Open an IRA. Even if you don't have any accumulated retirement savings thro
• After you've left your job there are a few important steps to take
• Past Debt
  More than likely both spouses in a blended family situation come into the new marriage with existing debt. It is CRUCIAL to both your new family’s financial and emotional health that you sit down and talk honestly and openly about your financial situations prior to marriage or as early on in the mar
• What to Do If You Think You Are a Victim of Identity Theft
  The more quickly you notice and report that your identity has been stolen and misused, the less damage is likely to occur. If you think your identity has been stolen, following are immediate first steps to take: Contact your credit card companies, banks, utility companies, phone companies, etc. to r
• Debt Consolidation and Debt Management Plans
  One of the services that credit counseling agencies provide is debt management plans, or DMPs. A DMP is a plan that a counseling agency develops with a client's creditors to help a client consolidate (pool together) and pay off their debt.. One of the services that credit counseling agencie
• Before You Apply for Credit
  It can be tempting to fill out applications for credit but before you apply there are some important questions you should consider and steps to take: Take some time to identify and write down your personal and financial life goals if you haven’t already. Credit is a financial tool that you should us
• Getting Credit
  In order to gain access to credit you will need to apply with an institution or organization that loans money such as a bank, credit union, savings and loan, or credit card company. You will most likely need to complete an application that will ask for two main categories of information: Personal in
• The Age-Old Question: To Buy New or Used?
  Every year car manufacturers spend millions of dollars to convince you that your life would be better – sexier – more manageable – if you just had a gleaming new car. And for some of us a new car is all we’ll consider.. Every year car manufacturers spend millions of dollars to convince you that
• Ways to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Elder Financial Abuse
  What is elder financial abuse? Simply put, it’s a crime. It is when someone – an individual, company or organization – wrongfully takes a senior citizen’s money, property or other financial resources.. What is elder financial abuse?  Simply put, it’s a crime. It is when someone
• Ways to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Elder Financial Abuse
• Online Banking
  Most banks now offer online banking – a service where you can check your account activity and balances, pay bills and transfer funds between accounts over the internet. Make sure you know if your bank charges you a monthly fee to be able to use their online banking service.. Most banks now offer onli
• Signing a Lease
  Depending on your timeframe and the market for rental properties in your area you may need to sign a lease quickly, in which case you need to understand what the lease outlines and what you’ll need to provide. If you’re renting from a large property management company (like those that own large apar
• Where to Buy a Car
  As with most things nowadays you have a lot of options when it comes to where, and from whom, you buy a car. Let’s look at your choices: Traditional car dealership.. As with most things nowadays you have a lot of options when it comes to whe
• How to decide if you really want to own a home
  It seems obvious but the first place to start is to decide whether or not you really want to own a home. No doubt, there are definite benefits to homeownership, including: Tax benefits.. It seems obvious but the first place to start is t
• Best Way to Use Credit
  Now before you think that you should never use credit cards, it’s actually a good idea to use them…IF you can use them wisely. Why? Well, establishing a good credit history makes it more likely that you’ll be approved for loans you might apply for later like a home mortgage or car loan..
• How to Protect Your Identity
  Preventing identity theft sounds difficult. How can you prevent something when you’re not really sure how it happens? It can help to think about preventing theft by thinking about HOW a potential thief might be able to get, or access, information about you.. Preventing identity theft
• Immigration Issues for Multigenerational Families
  Immigration is the top reason for the formation of multigenerational families. Immigrants come to the U.. Immigration is the top reason for the formation of multigenerational families. Immigrants come to the U.S. – either legally or illegally – and send for or encourage their imme
• Selecting a Lender
  Congratulations. You invested some real time last month to educate yourself about the not-so-simple-to-understand mortgage.. Congratulations. You invested some real time last month to educate yourself about the not-so-simple-to-understand mortgage. Now that you know the basics about what a mortgage
• Your Current Debt and Ways to Save for a Mortgage Down Payment
  The amount of debt you currently have and your credit score (which tells lenders how reliable you are about repaying your debt and loans) will also affect how much interest you will be charged on your loan. You should consider getting a free copy of your credit report now, early on in the home-buyin
• Selecting a Reputable Credit Counseling Agency
  A reputable, accredited credit counseling agency may be able to provide you with the help you need to get on the road to financial recovery. However not all credit counseling agencies are alike.. A reputable, accredited credit counseling agency may be able to provide you with the help you need t
• Closing on a Loan
  Closing, sometimes called “going to settlement, on a home is like the part of the wedding ceremony where the bride and groom exchange vows. It’s where you and the seller seal the deal! Closing on a home loan is when you sign all the papers transferring ownership of the property from the seller to th
• Next Steps: Recovering from a Service Member’s Death
  As you work through the initial grief of losing your loved one it is important to know what resources the military provides: Legal Assistance Your casualty affairs officer will accompany you to a meeting with a Department of Defense legal assistance officer where you will learn about the benefits an
• When You Lose Retiree Benefits
  Karen was enjoying retirement after 32 years of work as a registered nurse. Her Social Security and savings provided a modest, but adequate, income and she was grateful for a generous retiree benefits package from her former employer which included a pension and health insurance.. ment after 32 years of wo
• When You Lose Retiree Benefits
• Eleven Steps Single Moms Need to Take
  Single moms have mastered the art of multi-tasking. Working, making phone calls, vacuuming, paying bills, feeding kids and taking them places, responding to emails …. Single moms have mastered the art of multi-tasking. Working, making phone calls, vacuuming, paying bills, feeding kids and ta
• Refinancing
  When you buy a home you obtain a mortgage, also called a purchase loan by mortgage professionals. It’s simply a loan to purchase a home.. When you buy a home you obtain a mortgage, also called a purchase loan by mortgage professionals. It’s simply a loan to purchase a home. The bank or f
• Making Home Improvements
  Whether you have purchased a real “fixer-upper” or you are considering modest “cosmetic” changes, making home improvements can be a way to make your home better fit your family, lifestyle and/or financial goals when re-selling. Deciding on Improvements and Setting Your Budget Making home improvement
• Mortgage Counseling If You're Having Trouble Paying Your Mortgage
  If you are having difficulty making your monthly mortgage payment or even facing foreclosure you cannot afford to wait and hope that you can resolve the issue later. If you are behind on your mortgage you can be faced with foreclosure, and sooner than you may realize.. If you are having difficu
• Reverse Mortgages
  If you are 62 or older and own your home you have access to a special type of financing that can help you turn your greatest asset – your home – into supplemental income, enabling you to meet your other financial obligations and reach important life goals. A reverse mortgage is a financial tool that
• Comparing Mortgage Costs
  There are several costs associated with borrowing money to buy a home including the interest rate you’ll be charged to borrow the principal (loan amount) points, mortgage insurance closing costs and the down payment. Interest Rate One of the most important pieces of information you need from a lende
• Parents Dealing with their Single Adult Child’s Deployment
  Most often deployment information and support is directed to the servicemember’s spouse. But what about the single servicemember?  What happens when he/she is deployed?  After being out of the family home and living on his or her own, suddenly he or she needs family members to help with the paperwork
• What Every Homebuyer Needs to Know Before Agreeing to a Mortgage
  Are you or a loved one considering becoming a homeowner? Taking on a mortgage loan to purchase a home can be an intimidating and confusing process. A Federal Reserve study for the Federal Trade Commission found that a significant percentage of homebuyers did not understand key features and costs of
• Moving Day
  The big day is almost here. Moving day.. The big day is almost here. Moving day. Before you get to enjoy the excitement of moving into your new home, you’ve got to make it through the tedium and trial of actually boxing up and moving all your possessions. Having your tools and materials rea
• Rising Interest Rates and the Mortgage Crunch and What It May Mean to You
  The initial housing boom began in early 2002 - 2003. Interest rates were falling to all-time lows.. The initial housing boom began in early 2002 - 2003. Interest rates were falling to all-time lows. A surge of homebuyers eager to take advantage of the low interest rates on mortgages began pushing ho
• Giving Wisely
  Every year millions of people support nonprofit organizations to care for people in their communities, strengthen causes they feel strongly about, and reach out to people affected by disasters. Giving is a noble and generous act of caring and service.. Every year millions of people support nonprofit or
• What to Do When the Deployment is Extended
  Imagine learning that your spouse has 24 hours to report for duty and be deployed for combat. Now imagine that the day before the scheduled homecoming, you are notified that he/she won't be coming home for another 12-15 months.. Imagine learning that your spouse has 24 hours to report for duty and be de