Monthly Archives: March 2011
Six steps to successful house hunting
Now that the economy appears to (finally!) be moving again, are you thinking of moving too? Maybe you’re ready to move out of your rental and into something you can call your own. Or perhaps your family has grown beyond … Continue reading
Beware the fraudsters’ latest Internet scams
Think your firewall and security software are enough to protect you from identity theft? Think again. Why aren’t they enough? Because Internet scams succeed – or fail – based on human nature, not just on technology. Identity theft scams focus … Continue reading
Got an ARM? What you should know
If you’ve got an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), you’ve probably heard your share – and then some – of gloom, doom and dire predictions in the past few years. Resetting ARMs have forced thousands of homeowners into foreclosure – driving … Continue reading
Heading down the aisle? Money management advice for the soon-to-be-married
(ARA) – Every couple planning a wedding knows that there are some argument-causing topics they just won’t discuss. Maybe he’ll leave the choice of wedding colors up to her, and she, in turn, won’t comment on his best man’s reputation. … Continue reading
Good debt, bad debt and how to know the difference
With all you’ve heard about the role debt played in the Great Recession, you may feel a bit guilty about using credit. You may even think that debt is a bad thing. But that’s not necessarily true. Credit is not … Continue reading
Buying a car? Rev up your credit first
Though the auto industry remains in recovery mode, it still hasn’t cooled the competition among dealers eager for your business. You still hear about awesome deals, like cash back, no money down and even ridiculously low interest rates for financing … Continue reading
Credit card fraud: Your best defense
Are you trying to be wiser about how you use credit cards these days? Maybe you now pay off your balance in full every month, or avoid using credit cards to pay for consumables like food or utilities. But all … Continue reading
Drowning in debt? What to pay off first
When you’re so deeply in debt that the thought of looking at your credit report sends a chill down your spine, it can be hard to know what bills to pay first. You may even be tempted to just stop … Continue reading
Financing a business: Why a credit report matters
You know how important a credit report is to your personal finances, so if you’re a small business owner, you should understand just how important a credit report is to financing a business. It’s the face you put forward to … Continue reading
Identity theft statistics show you could be at risk
Identity theft statistics show that this type of crime is still on the rise – despite increased security efforts by corporations and public awareness of the problem. ID thieves victimized about 11 million Americans in 2008-2009. Is there any good … Continue reading