Changing one’s name to be rid of those annoying collector calls and the debt that started them may seem like a ridiculous idea to many, but this does not deter people from trying it. With the troubled global economy, people will try just about anything to clean up their credit scores and this includes becoming [...]

Both lender and borrower are faced at the outset with a basic decision – to obtain a loan that is either secured or unsecured. But, what does that mean, and what are the pros and cons of each for either party? A secured loan is one in which the money borrowed is guaranteed to be [...]

Few areas of credit are as complicated today as that of student loans. There are many types, with lots of terms, complicated conditions, and fine print. But studying those options is important in order to make the best long-term choice for education funding. One of the most common options is a Stafford loan. Hundreds of [...]

When analyzing financing options or debt handling issues many people neglect to include the tax implications of one strategy over another. Including tax implications in your scenarios can become very complicated. It’s always handy to have a computer program that will help you. But even without that there are a few simple guidelines to keep [...]

No ‘one-size-fits-all’ recommendation is possible when considering the right amount of debt to assume. But that doesn’t mean there are no good guidelines at all. Naturally, credit card companies and other lenders are happy to make available as much money as they think their borrowers will repay. They take risks, but those are calculated risks. [...]

Some people think of bankruptcy as an easy way to offload a crushing debt burden, and it’s sometimes the first method they reach for. Well, it may well relieve the burden, but it’s far from easy and should be the very last thing you use to do so. While the law has made it relatively [...]

If you’re considering buying a car, or even just refinancing your current auto loan, you’ll benefit from some simple research before making a final decision. Know your FICO and other credit report items. The overall number assigned to measure your credit worthiness doesn’t tell the whole story about you or your ability and willingness to [...]

Credit reports are often regarded with dread, especially by those who have entered turbulent financial waters. But reality is never your enemy, even when it is unpleasant. In order to promote financial health, and resolve any debt problems you may have, it’s essential to have the best information possible about your credit status. That information [...]

Debt collectors ringing your phone off the hook and sending intimidating letters can frazzle anyone’s nerves. But you have various forms of protection and many techniques available to deal with them. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act sets guidelines for what debt collectors may or may not legally do when attempting to collect a debt. [...]

Many people find that over time they have accumulated more debt than they can repay. When that happens, there is a reinforcing downward spiral. The inability to repay the debt leads to additional interest charges and penalties, making it still harder to repay the amount owed. One common suggestion for breaking this vicious circle is [...]