In today’s environment, taking out a loan can be a cumbersome event. Some people may not be eligible for the type of loan they are seeking or they fail to meet the requirements of the loan application, which could lead to filing bankruptcy.
For those of us who want to stay away from using our plastic [...]

Prom night has started to become serious financial liability for many American families, leading many of them into unwanted debt, according to a sobering report from Fox Business.
Sources say that prom night will cost the average American family with a teenager bound for the big event more than $1,000 this year, and many families will [...]

As tensions in the Middle East between Western states and Iran continue to grow, and oil supply chains grow more perilous, gas prices have begun to grow at an alarming rate in the United States.
And some experts believe that gas could top the $5 per gallon mark by this summer. This comes as disturbing news [...]

Many consumers have been tempted to borrow from their 401(k) savings to gain a quick infusion of cash, especially to start a small business, but this tactic may not be the wisest course of action, according to an article in USA Today.
While it may be enticing to borrow funds from 401(k) plans with relatively low [...]

It’s easy to make mistakes when you’re filing taxes, especially since the tax code is now longer than any novel by Tolstoy. But these mistakes can be costly.
In fact, learning that you have inadvertently failed to pay taxes can place a serious burden on individuals who are already struggling with consumer debt.
So, in order to [...]

A columnist from USA Today recently answered a concerned investor’s question: should retirees move all their investments into low-risk bonds immediately upon retiring?
The answer, perhaps not surprisingly, is complicated, and depends on whether retirees have a 401(k) account, how much they plan to take out, and whether they have other assets to help them meet [...]

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 [...]

In a disturbing new celebrity trend, famous Americans have begun marketing their own prepaid debit cards, which promise people with low credit access to instant cash.
The prepaid debit cards range from the flashy (the Kardashian sisters developed a famously awful line of prepaid cards) to the more respectable (financial advisor Suze Orman has built her [...]

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 [...]

These days, with pension funds taking record hits and savings lost in stock market shuffles, retirees are having to scramble to find extra funds. And the conventional workforce is often a fruitless place for senior citizens to look for a new job.
In addition, retirees are facing record levels of debt, and many older consumers have [...]

The holidays offer the promise of great food, good cheer, and blissful time away from work, but they also provide a golden opportunity to fall into debt.
To avoid having to search for debt relief, there are several steps you might take to help avoid a holiday-induced financial hangover.
Preventing Debt Over the Holidays
To help consumers over [...]

The past few years have been challenging for banks. Recently, major banks and brokerage firms have found themselves filing for bankruptcy at a record pace.
These financial troubles have led many banks to seek new sources of revenue from their customers. For example, one extremely unpopular fee that was recently announced by several U.S. banks was [...]

Online banking has rapidly gained popularity, as consumers turn to the Internet for a wide range of activities, including shopping, paying bills, and even filing for bankruptcy.
Banking on the Internet, however, does come with some disadvantages, including security concerns and the potential to unknowingly accrue large amounts of debt.
Listed below are some of the pros [...]

Most of the time, when consumers rack up tens of thousands of dollars in debt, they may see their only option being to simply file personal bankruptcy, which is designed to wipe out unmanageable debt.
On occasion, however, debt miracles can happen. The story of two Michigan residents who paid off $92,000 in credit card debt [...]

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 [...]

A piece of legislation designed to keep consumer information private in online transactions was proposed in the Senate this week by John McCain (R-Ariz.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.). Unveiled Tuesday, the Commercial Privacy Bill of Rights addresses many issues of consumer privacy that the Obama administration has pushed for.
In its current form, the proposed legislation [...]

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 [...]

Most of us want what’s best for our children, but when it comes to money and personal finance, knowing how to give them the information they need can be a challenge. After all, many American adults are struggling to make mortgage payments, find full-time work or recover from financial hardship like a bankruptcy filing.
Luckily, there [...]

If you’re not up to date on your Internet theology, it’s time to learn about the so-called “Seven Deadly Sins” of online behavior that could make you and your finances susceptible to identity theft. So before you accept the next offer for some fantastic, limited-time offer, make sure you’re not giving your sensitive information to [...]

The Federal Trade Commission took steps last week to halt another group carrying out a debt relief scam on unsuspecting consumers. The settlement involves a $500,000 fine and prohibition of the defendant’s future in the debt relief industry.
Here’s a look at the specifics of the case and how to avoid similar scams in the future.
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