Although people often don’t think about prices rising, the reality is that inflation occurs naturally in economies around the world and can have severe implications on personal finances. By understanding how inflationary trends work and their impact on investments and day-to-day spending, individuals can make informed decisions during this often stressful time of transition. They […]
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Learn How To Get Your 3 Credit Reports For Free
If you have ever applied for a loan or a credit card, you are probably aware of the importance of your credit report and credit score. The information a credit report contains tells lenders whether you are a “credit risk” or not. It can also determine what interest rates you will be offered and other […]
Continue ReadingWhat Are The Pros & Cons Of Paying To Lock In Mortgage Rates?
There are pros and cons to consider when it comes to locking in mortgage rates. On the one hand, paying to lock in a rate can provide peace of mind and protection from rising rates. On the other hand, there is always the potential that rates could fall after you’ve locked in, leaving you with […]
Continue ReadingHow to Build a Strong Financial House with Housing Counseling
For most Americans, buying a home is the largest purchase they will make in their lifetime. But it’s not enough to know what neighborhood, style of house, or square footage you want. Consumers also need to have their financial affairs in order prior to considering homeownership. A consumer’s financial history and credit rating are two […]
Continue Reading6 Things You Need To Know About Interest Rates
Interest rates are an important factor to consider when buying expensive items with a line of credit, applying for a loan, or just using any credit card. In general, those with higher credit scores tend to qualify for a better interest rate than those with lower credit scores. The following are six things consumers should […]
Continue ReadingCredit Scores and How They Came to Be
Prior to the creation of credit scores, financial institutions and lenders would often develop their own creditworthiness score to assess the risk of lending to that particular person. This “score” would vary significantly from one lender to the next. The major issue with this innovative method was that it was based solely on the lender’s […]
Continue ReadingHow To Build A Strong Credit Score
Consumers who know the value of their credit score will work hard to maintain a great score from day one. Those who never learned the importance of their credit score might make financial mistakes that cause them to learn the hard way. Whether a person is building their credit score for the first time or […]
Continue ReadingHousing Counseling is Helpful in All Stages of Homeownership
The process of homeownership is a complicated one. Searching for a home, choosing a home, deciding to buy it, and maintaining it can be very difficult. Many individuals strive to understand the choices. Purchasing a home without any experience is scary. Many studies have demonstrated that housing counseling and education for homeowners and potential home […]
Continue ReadingTips to Avoid Late Fees
One household alone can have a dozen or more bills that come in each month. Each bill has a different due date that must be followed or else a penalty occurs. These charges can be more than $25 for each occurrence, and the tardiness is quickly recorded on your credit history. We all know that […]
Continue ReadingHow to Get Out of an Upside Down Car Loan
Next to mortgage or rent payments, owning an automobile is the second largest household expense in the United States today. Gas, maintenance, repairs, and insurance can hit our wallets hard each month in addition to regular loan payments on the vehicle itself. Also, hidden within those loan payments, one cost that many of us may […]
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