How long does it take to correct your credit report? Unfortunately, the answer may depend on what kinds of corrections may be needed. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires credit agencies to respond to you over complaints of erroneous, incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate information. According to the FTC, “To take advantage of all your rights under this law, contact the credit reporting company … [Read more...]
Homeownership Woes: Ways to Pay For Unexpected Repairs to Your HVAC System
Unexpected repairs to your home… they always seem to come at a bad time, right? You either don’t have the money for them or have the money for them but the money is designated to something else… either way you look at it, unexpected home repairs like when your AC is not blowing cold air are so inconsiderate of your time and money. Before you became a homeowner, you probably paid rent somewhere, whether it was in an apartment or rental … [Read more...]
What Parents Need To Know About Student Loan Debt
What do parents need to know about student loan debt? There are several areas to be mindful of, especially if a parent is contemplating acting as a co-signer on a student loan. These range from preventive measures (starting the application process as early as possible) to future planning (the timing of your financial commitment to a child’s student loans). Student Loan Debt: Planning Counts Schools and government agencies often have a finite … [Read more...]
Don’t Make These Four Credit Mistakes
Are you trying to repair your credit? Are you considering a major credit application such as a car or truck loan? Don’t make these four credit mistakes and you will get much better results from your efforts to get a better FICO score. Some credit fundamentals are fairly obvious: always pay on time to raise your credit scores, don’t carry credit card balances close to the maximum, and check your credit report on a regular basis. But after these … [Read more...]
Should I Refinance My Home Loan?
Should I refinance my home loan? That is a question many homeowners ask. And it's a question that is especially relevant when news headlines at CNN Money and elsewhere reflect a trend toward lower mortgage loan interest rates. When rates go down, the ability to refinance into a lower mortgage interest rate is very attractive, but who should consider making the jump? The United States Federal Reserve Board weighs in on this question on its’ … [Read more...]