You probably know that having a good credit score is important for your financial stability. What you may not realize is just how good a score you need these days to be considered top-notch by lenders. Banks are aggressively …
Borrowing
What Would a U.S. Government Default Feel Like For the Average American?
A compromise between the budget proposals being batted around by President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner will, hopefully, be reached before the federal government defaults on any debt.
But what if the August 2 deadline to …
60 Money Tips: Cheap Dates She’ll Love, Spending Sins, Smart Tips for Saving at the Mall
One suggestion that may make financial sense, but that’ll probably make for a seriously uncomfortable conversation around the dinner table, will begin with you asking: “Hey dad, I was thinking of taking a life insurance policy on …
Finally, Money Advice That Will Make You Skinnier
One more reason to opt for paper over plastic as often as possible: your health (physical and financial).
Should Medical Debt Hurt Your Credit?
Of all the annoying things about your credit score, the one that turns people’s crank the most is how medical debt can tarnish it. That’s understandable. Nobody plans to get sick, healthcare costs are skyrocketing and a lot of …
The 24 Most and Least Affordable Public Colleges
Last week, the U.S. Department of Education released a new web tool that lets users calculate the costs of getting a college degree. While much has been made of the highest and lowest tuition rates, you can also use the tool to …
One Really Bad Way to Overhaul the Student Loan Market
Jonathan Glater, a visiting assistant professor of law at the University of California, Irvine, and a former reporter at the New York Times, has published a paper called The Other Big Test: Why Congress Should Allow College …
Man Throws Molotov Cocktail Through Window Over $5 Unpaid Debt
When I first saw the headline that a man had burned down someone’s house over a $5 debt, I assumed that it was a press release from Capital One honoring its employee of the month in the collections division. Nope.
Credit Scores: Is 750 the New 680?
Buried in the housing data of the past few days (housing volume is down over the last month while prices are slightly up) was the most interesting release: the performance report of the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Serious Cash Back: Chase Freedom Card Ups Ante with $200 Cash Back Intro Offer
Chase’s Freedom credit card first became popular when it began offering a $100 bonus for new customers who spent a certain amount of money in three months. Now there’s an additional $100 bonus tempting consumers to sign up.
139 Money Tips: Father’s Day Freebies, Designer Clothing on the Cheap, Most Annoying Bank Fees
This week’s link roundup also includes simple rules of thumb for buying everything from coffee to a home, and insights as to why personal finance can be as tricky—and messy—as potty training.
Some Say Pay Off ‘Bad Debt’ First. But Why?
There’s a lot of personal finance advice in the blogosphere that I wish didn’t exist. And one of the most annoying pieces of advice is the constant yammering about “good debt” and “bad debt” and how that bad debt must be paid off first.