Most people dream of the day that they clock in to work for the very last time.In most cases, we imagine that’ll be when we’re a little grayer around the ears, but what if you could take the freedom and independence of retirement and experience it, say, thirty years earlier? That’s the basic principle of … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, How soon after filing Chapter 7 can I start making checking account deposits and withdrawals? As someone self-employed, I need to deposit and withdraw working capital into and out of my checking account. I understand that some banks freeze checking accounts upon learning of bankruptcy. This would be disastrous for me, as … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I was looking at Clear One Advantage and tried clicking on the BBB Accredited Business A+ link featured on the homepage of their website. However, the link doesn’t work. I searched the BBB and found the Clear One Advantage profile, which shows “No Rating.” Here: https://www.bbb.org/us/md/baltimore/profile/debt-relief-services/clearone-advantage-0011-90096368 Any idea why the No Rating? … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, Between my Visa and my line of credit, I owe $25,000, I would like you to tell me if the Litigation Practice Group is a good company to go with, LPG out of San Clemente, California. I live in Utah. Kerin Answer: Dear Kerin, Litigation Practice Group seems to be an interest … Read more
When you start to use credit cards and take out loans, you build a credit score that demonstrates your creditworthiness. Does that number stay static a day, a week, a month? In truth, it’s changing all the time. Most of your accounts probably report information to the credit bureaus every 30 to 45 days. One … Read more
Do you consider yourself an expert in couponing? Are you unwilling to make a purchase unless you’ve scoured the internet for the best possible savings? Couponing can be a fantastic way to save on groceries, services, shopping, and even dining out. But finding savings can often feel like a game of cat and mouse. Once … Read more
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) took action against GreenSky, LLC for enabling contractors and other merchants to take out loans on behalf of thousands of consumers who did not request or authorize them. The CFPB issued a consent order against GreenSky requiring the company to refund or cancel up to $9 million in loans … Read more
Looking for the right place to pay off loans? Unfortunately, there’s no blinking neon sign for borrowers to “Repay Loans Here.” Instead, borrowers may have to go old school, and make a phone call to meet their new best friend—the student loan servicer. It all starts with contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center to … Read more
Yesterday I wrote about a 15-year-old that took out federal student loans and got a chance to learn all about the Claim of Infancy issue. Apparently, while you need to be 18 to enter a legal contract and 21 to buy and consume alcohol, you only need to have a pulse and breath in the … Read more
If you are thinking about enrolling in a pricey Ivy League graduate program, read a recent Wall Street Journal article titled “Financially Hobbled for Life’: The Elite Master’s Degrees That Don’t Pay Off.” Reporters Melissa Korn and Andrea Fuller report on a WSJ analysis of student debt owed by people who graduated from prestigious schools … Read more
Two Florida companies and their CEO will be permanently barred from offering payment-processing services to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that they aided a criminal student debt relief scam that bilked $62 million from thousands of students and their families. According to the FTC’s complaint, Moneta Management, LLC, Moneta Management, Inc., and their CEO Michael … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, In 2015, I was 15/16 years old and went to two community colleges in Florida. Unfortunately, I did not graduate because my grandmother, whom I lived with (who supported me), got sick and died in 2019. At which point, I was homeless. I am currently living in a halfway house. I was … Read more
Sleeping in until noon. Spoiling the grandkids with gifts and freshly baked cookies. Traveling around Western Europe to sip wine and eat croissants. Many people dream about how their retirement years will play out. These goals are 100% attainable—as long as retirees have saved enough during their working years. Unfortunately, not all Americans know what … Read more
One of those companies that says they help people to get out from their timeshare has ended a suit against them on the verge of a jury trial. Reed Hein & Associates does business as Time Share Exit Team. Court documents filed by Westgate Resorts, Westgate Vacation Villas, Westgate Lakes, Westgate GV at the Woods, … Read more
Managing personal finances. It can be a challenge for various reasons. Regarding personal finance management, your goal might be to make positive changes to your financial circumstance and live more comfortably. The question is, how can you begin to manage your personal finances more simply? And which steps can you take to stay on top … Read more