Despite our best intentions to be responsible adults with a budget, there is one thing we are never immune to: unexpected expenses. We’ve all been there. You get into a car accident. You get a mysterious illness that puts you in the hospital. A family member passes away unexpectedly. Unexpected expenses can bring a lot…
Some people fear the mention of the word ‘debt.’ It is something that most people have for many years of their lives. The reality is that the real estate market depends upon it because without mortgages the market would be just a small percentage of what it is today. It is clear that there is…
Total U.S. consumer debt was $11.65 trillion at the end of Q1 2014, up 3.7 percent from the previous year, according to the New York Federal Reserve. Let’s put this number in perspective: Just 40 years ago, the total amount of all U.S. debt—including government, business and consumer obligations—was only $2.2 trillion. It has become…
With the cost of college continuing to rise each year, you may be wondering whether the once traditional route of going to one school for all four years is the way to proceed. According to CollegeBoard, the average cost of attending a public four-year school within your state is now just over $8,800. Add in…
A debt validation request is a secret weapon that enables you to verify any debt you owe. This simple tool can help you clarify any outstanding debt, stall the collections process and provide you with all the information you need to determine what debt is actually your responsibility and what is not. Debt collection agencies…
Tracie shares her money saving tips and ideas daily atPenny Pinchin’ Mom. She is featured regularly on her local CBS Affiliate – KCTV5 – helping local families learn how to make the most of their own budget. When not busy saving money and helping others, she is a mom to 3 kids, ages 4 –…
As many things go in life, it is far better to save money than to take out a loan. For instance, if you want a new TV, new furniture, or other items that are not necessities, do not finance them, and certainly do not use a credit card. This is especially true if you do…