Category: Personal Finance

Recently, two friends confessed they live check to check — a revelation worsened by the fact that they only check their bank balance once or twice a month. We called in the finance experts, and here’s what we decided they should do to get on track. “I check my balance once . . . every two [...]

Consumers are now handling their credit card accounts more responsibly after going half a year with more troubling statistics coming out about their spending and repayment habits. Instances of consumer credit card delinquency — defined as accounts that have gone 90 days or more without a payment — declined between the fourth quarter of 2011 [...]

Due to the recent state of our economy, many people have been confronted with an unpredictable loss of income as companies are forced to restructure their workforce. Layoffs, downsizing and foreclosure seem to be constantly in the news. Companies are also cutting back on overtime, which can cause a profound reduction in income while salaried [...]

Are you in Debt Trouble? Here are some ways to tell if you are. 1. You do not have any savings. 2. You make minimum payments on your credit cards. 3. You use credit cards for things you used to buy with cash, such as groceries. 4. You use increasing amounts of your total income [...]

You’re just out of college, starting your first job. Building long-term financial security is probably the last thing on your mind. But. young people just entering the workforce must not underestimate the importance of financial planning geared toward saving for the future. One of the best deals is an employer-sponsored retirement plan such as a 401(k) [...]

Many parents are struggling to pay for their children’s education. Not only has the cost of continuing education skyrocketed, there is a lot of pressure to provide your child with the tools they need to have the best possible chance in an increasingly competitive job market. Despite this pressure, if you want long term financial [...]

So, maybe you budget. You make an allowance for food, clothes, entertainment. But do you have an allowance for medical costs? Here’s why you should: The No. 1 cause of bankruptcy is medical bills. Medical illness can be a financial nightmare leading to bankruptcy. Studies show that 62 percent of all bankruptcies are caused by medical bills. Even [...]

What is Credit Insurance? Credit insurance assures a loan will be repaid in the event of the death, disability or involuntary unemployment of the insured borrower. It can be taken to protect all types of consumer borrowing, including loans to finance or refinance a home. These products may be sold by credit card companies, auto dealers, finance companies, [...]