In the wake of celebrity financial advisor Suze Orman’s new prepaid debit card, consumers may be able to build credit through the practice of responsible spending habits.
The Associate Press reports that Orman’s card is the first of its kind in assessing the millions of Americans who fall outside of the traditional financial system currently in [...]

The price of gas has leapt by 45 cents on average since the beginning of 2012 and has reached an all-time record for this time of year, so economists and other pundits have begun expressing concerns about the effect of high fuel prices on the economy.
Many economists, however, say that the high price of gas [...]

Retirement presents numerous financial traps for retirees, particularly in the wake of the recent stock market collapse that destroyed the retirement nest eggs for millions of Americans.
Of course, for seniors in serious debt, learning more about what bankruptcy is could provide information about seeking debt relief through the bankruptcy system.
Beyond bankruptcy, though, there are seven [...]

As the twin specters of unemployment and rising debt continue to haunt Americans, many consumers are looking for safe ways to invest their remaining few dollars.
But the investment landscape is uncertain, to say the least. Money market accounts are weak, the stock market is volatile, and housing prices seem to be sinking every day.
A recent [...]

The end of the year is a time to visit family, spend time with friends, and prepare for the next 12 months. Perhaps the most important end-of-the-year task is organizing one’s finances to avoid having to seek debt relief in the coming year.
The experts at Market Watch recently offered four important end-of-year financial planning tips [...]

Consumers who have recently applied for a new home mortgage may have noticed something a bit bizarre about their credit report information: it contains a lot more information than it once did.
This trend is a result of a new type of credit file introduced by a company called CoreLogic, which already has comprehensive credit information [...]

A recent poll by Consumer Reports discovered some contradictory trends related to American consumers’ holiday spending plans.
More consumers claim that they will spend less on gifts this year than they did last year, but the majority of consumers also reported that they will spend more hours shopping in 2011 than they did in 2010.
Of course, [...]

Do-it-yourself financial planners have become increasingly common, especially as the costs of personal finance services continue to rise.
In a difficult financial environment, though, people who prefer to do their finances themselves should watch out for potential pitfalls, lest they end up needing to file bankruptcy to escape from debt.
To help the DIY financial planner who [...]

A common concern for married couples struggling with debt is whether one spouse’s bankruptcy filing will hurt the other’s credit.
In many cases, the other spouse’s credit will not be affected by a bankruptcy, as long as the filing spouse’s lines of credit belong solely to him or her. This scenario is described in more detail [...]

In the past, debit cards have provided consumers with a safe, cost-free alternative to credit cards. The use of debit cards has likely saved many consumers from turning to credit cards and racking up debt, which is a major reason for bankruptcy filings.
Alas, the blissful days of free debit cards may soon be behind us, [...]

Since it’s passed down from generation to generation, financial wisdom is very slow to change. Usually, the conservative nature of financial advice allows for people to make stable, healthy money decisions.
Different times, however, often call for different measures. As the U.S. economy continues to struggle back to life, and more and more people are facing [...]

The death of a loved one can be traumatic enough without the financial concerns that often accompany dying. Nevertheless, those financial realities exist and cause unnecessary stress for many survivors. Here’s a look at what laws govern debts for those who have passed away.
Beyond the Probate Process
A few decades ago, the standard process for collecting [...]

In recent months, bankruptcy filing numbers have shown that individuals and small businesses are filing for bankruptcy less often than they did in 2010 – despite the fact that unemployment is still around nine percent and the economy is barely out of official recession territory.
The numbers and general lack of impressive economic progress nationwide (the [...]

It’s fairly common these days for adults to have their name on accounts that belong to minor children or aging parents – but what happens to those joint or custodial accounts in personal bankruptcy may be confusing.
After all, bankruptcy court requires filers to repay creditors to the best of their ability, and cash reserves, if [...]

With more than a few American cities and towns considering and filing for bankruptcy these days, many people are wondering what might happen to these municipalities in the months and years following their declarations. Turns out, life after bankruptcy may not be that bad for cities and towns.
Here’s a look at what bankruptcy insiders suggest [...]

As any recent college graduate can tell you, it can cost serious money to attend college in the U.S. these days. And despite the recession and tightened lending standards in many markets, institutions offering student loans have shown little sign of slackening the pace at which they offer money to young scholars.
One reason for this [...]

Whether you’re trying to rebuild your credit after a personal bankruptcy filing, shore it up to qualify for a mortgage or car loan, or just aiming to make sure your credit is the best it can be, it’s important to take stock regularly of your credit practices and make sure you aren’t making any potentially [...]

Whether you’re recovering from a personal bankruptcy filing or simply trying to prepare your finances for buying a home, you may have wondered what kind of financial preparation you should do in order to maximize your chances of getting an affordable mortgage. And, with many mortgage lenders wary right now, it’s wise to plan ahead [...]

If you filed for personal bankruptcy and/or had your house foreclosed on in 2010, you may be wondering how those actions will affect your taxes (due April 18th). Here’s an overview of what you might be able to expect, depending on what specifically happened in your finances during the last 12 months.
Surrendered Property & Canceled [...]

Filing for personal bankruptcy is a major financial decision, as you already know if you’re in the middle of a bankruptcy case or have recently received a discharge. And, as you may be realizing in your life after bankruptcy, it is only the first step down the path to financial stability and health.
So what kinds [...]