Despite a decrease in the number of credit card charge-offs, experts predict more credit card woes ahead as the credit card delinquency and unemployment rates continue to rise, according to Fitch Ratings, a credit rating agency. Last month, charge-offs — the amount of credit card debt deemed uncollectable by banks — dropped to 10.75 percent, [...]
Though the credit bureaus must give you free annual reports, their important numbers will cost you. Now 3 sites offer free peeks at those scores, but how helpful are they? If you’re curious about your credit scores, you might have tried one of the plethora of Web sites and services that offer some free credit [...]
Continue reading …Depending on how you use your credit card, it can be your ‘flexible friend’ or your worst enemy. For example, if you spend sensibly and always repay your monthly bill in full, then you can enjoy up to 59 days of interest-free credit, plus a yearly cashback rebate, too. Sadly, spending on credit cards is [...]
Continue reading …Credit card rewards programs have traditionally featured airline miles, gift certificates, and cash back for customers who spend enough on their cards to rack up points. But recently, credit card companies have started offering a different kind of gift: They’re handing out lower interest rates, refunding interest payments, and using other strategies to provide incentives [...]
Continue reading …Loan Modification Hardship Letter 1) What is the cause of the hardship? Have you recently become unemployed or recently found yourself with reduced income? Have you been involved in an accident? This is your chance to tell the bank exactly how your situation has recently changed. Be detailed, by making sure to include the dates [...]
Continue reading …Whether you’re in a financial crunch or just lack a second Ferrari, credit card offers landing in your mailbox might look like an answer to a prayer. Don’t succumb to temptation, says Cate Williams, vice president of financial literacy for Money Management International in Chicago. “The first thing consumers need to do is walk from [...]
Continue reading …Most consumers know that they need to carefully protect their credit and credit ranking, but not many realize the importance of protecting the actual credit card. Buyers must ensure that their credit card and credit card number do not fall into the hands of those who see their personal credit card as potentially free money.
Continue reading …No one wants to ruin their credit, but students who have never handled credit before find it easy to do. Here, according to personal finance experts, are 10 ways students can ruin their credit: 1. Abusing easy credit. Students can easily get approved for one or more credit cards, and then spend themselves into a [...]
Continue reading …One of the most exciting parts of growing up is becoming financially independent, but learning how to do so can be challenging. Building good credit is a must: It will help you qualify for loans, auto insurance, rental applications, cell phone plans, and can even affect whether you get a job. How do you get [...]
Continue reading …Mary Uhazi has more than $60,000 in credit card debt and, by her own account, “nothing to show for it.” “You have some clothes, you have some dinner, you have a handbag, you have whatever, but it’s not $11,000 worth or it’s not $60,000 worth,” Uhazi said. Uhazi is drowning in a sea of debt. [...]
Continue reading …You have lots of options, but you have to get started now It’s the single most common question these days in the Answer Desk Inbox: I’m drowning in debt! What can I do? What should you do if the accounts are already delinquent, past due, charged-off, and not necessarily due to neglect? Paying these accounts [...]
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