Personal Finance
Improve Your Credit Score? Yes You Can.
Credit reports and scores are used for more than just getting a loan, credit card, or mortgage. There are three major companies that track your credit history Transunion, Equifax, and Experian. Many employers look at a credit report to see how responsible the job applicant is, even if the job they’re applying for doesn’t have [...]
Continue reading...Quick Ways to Start Saving and Start Investing
8 October 2009 – 10:00 am PST
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Are you waiting until you get a raise, a new job, or some other event to start saving? You shouldn’t. Start saving now so you can start investing in your future. Many of us aren’t aware of how much money we waste on a regular basis. Those pennies, nickels, and dimes can add up quickly.
Continue reading...Should There Be a Credit Card in Your Future VISA
2 October 2009 – 5:30 am PST
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Your credit score affects more than just whether you’ll be granted a loan, mortgage or credit card. Insurance companies look at the score as a measure of responsibility. You may pay higher premiums for auto insurance for example if your credit score is lower than someone who has good credit.  Employers review credit reports as [...]
Continue reading...Only news is bad news
1 October 2009 – 2:36 pm PST
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In these days of Debbie Downers and Negative Neds it’s hard to keep a positive outlook, especially in the financial arena. It seems like we should all throw in the towel and slide from what is possibly the end of a recession to the depths of a depression. Don’t let that become a self fulfilling [...]
Continue reading...First Time Home Buyers: Is Time Running Out?
30 September 2009 – 9:30 am PST
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The stimulus tax credit of $8,000 for first time home buyers expires on November 30, 2009. That means your new house has to be signed, sealed, and delivered by the last day of November if you expect to qualify for the federal tax credit. Is it possible to buy a house, have it inspected, appraised, [...]
Continue reading...State Mandated Foreclosure Mediation Programs Fail to Help Homeowners
29 September 2009 – 4:18 am PST
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The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) reviewed 25 programs in 14 states and found no evidence the programs are helping homeowners modify their mortgage loans.  The programs are self policed by the financing institutions and impose no obligations for them to act. While it may sound like a lifesaver thrown out to homeowners, in reality [...]
Continue reading...Avoid a Christmas Buying Blitz on Your Credit Cards
25 September 2009 – 12:10 pm PST
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The beginning of September is the end of summer vacation and back to business. Fall is a huge retail season because of the Christmas buying blitz. And speaking of the holidays how are you planning to pay for all the festivities? Many of us have good intentions but end up maxing out our credit cards. [...]
Continue reading...Lenders Lower Spending Limits on Select Credit Card Holders
14 September 2009 – 4:33 pm PST
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FICO announced last week that while the lowering of spending limits by lenders may dramatically affect some card holders, the effort had little impact overall on credit scores. Nearly $100 million dollars of bad credit card debt is projected to be charged off in 2009 as consumers default in record numbers. Lenders are countering by [...]
Continue reading...Eating More Meals at Home (SBUX, EAT, KR, SWY)
11 September 2009 – 11:17 am PST
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A recent Harris Interactive survey sponsored by Food Shopping Trends (NASDAQ:WFMI) showed that two thirds of Americans have changed their eating habits. 51% are eating dinner at home more often and 37% are taking a hard look at their grocery shopping habits. If the trend continues it could very well negatively affect stocks of such [...]
Continue reading...Banks and Lenders Lose and Future Looks Bright for Credit Unions
1 September 2009 – 6:00 am PST
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The credit crunch isn’t anywhere near over. Mortgage lenders are still facing losses and trying desperately to get rid of REO (Real Estate Owned) properties as a result of foreclosures. Lending institutions are not only reluctant to grant new loans but are closing accounts and decreasing revolving credit lines. The one bright spot seems to [...]
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9 October 2009 – 10:00 am PST
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