Monthly Archives: October 2011
What to Do if You Find Errors on Your Credit Report
We all make mistakes. Sometimes they’re embarrassing but harmless, like discovering your shirt is inside out or you’ve forgotten the name of your co-worker’s spouse. Some mistakes can be very harmful, like the ones you might find on your credit … Continue reading
Halloween Horrors: Common Disguises of Identity Thieves
Halloween is just around the corner. Have you picked out your costume yet? The anticipation of finding out what everyone will be wearing is one of the great treats of the holiday. There’s one Halloween trick you can be sure … Continue reading
The Cities with the Best and Worst Credit Scores
Every city has something unique to brag about, whether it’s a cultural icon such as Manhattan’s Broadway, an architectural wonder like St. Louis’ amazing arch, or a special place in history, such as Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. Just as the things … Continue reading
The 411 on Mortgage Modification and Your Credit Score
Defaulting on a mortgage is one of the worst things that can happen to your credit. If you’re struggling to make your monthly mortgage payment and protect your credit score at the same time, you’re probably willing to consider just … Continue reading
The Ammo You Need to Negotiate Your Credit Card Rate
You’ve heard people say you can negotiate your credit card rate, but what do you say to your credit card company to get them to agree? A Lending Club survey found that when consumers asked for a better credit card … Continue reading
Do You Really Need To Be A Two-Income Family?
In this economy, it may seem like the answer to that question is obvious. But is it? A growing number of households are considering the question of whether they really need to be a two-income family. While it may seem … Continue reading
Five Times When an Emergency Fund Could Save Your Bacon
There’s a reason it’s called “Murphy’s Law” and not just “Murphy’s Probability.” That’s because life rarely goes along as smoothly as we hope, and the idea that something will go wrong is probably the most reliable thing we can all … Continue reading
Calling all Creditors: How Your Cell Phone Can Affect Your Credit
In 1995, just 13 percent of the U.S. population had cell phones according to the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry (CTIA). By December 2010, that rate had soared to 96 percent, and in 2010, Americans racked up 2.2 … Continue reading
Should You Rent or Buy a House?
At one time, the answer to that question would have seemed like a “no-brainer.” Generations of Americans have grown up believing that home ownership was not only an integral part of the American Dream, but a sure route to building … Continue reading
How to Shop Around for the Best Credit Card Deal
One good thing to come out of a tough economy: You realize that virtually everything you pay for is negotiable, even your credit card rate. Pre-recession, you might have been inclined to just live with a 30-percent interest rate and … Continue reading