Credit & Loans

The typical rule of thumb is that if you can reduce your current interest rate by 0.75-1% or higher then it might make sense to consider a refinancing move. First step is to calculate your monthly savings should you do the refinance, for example:Suppose you have a 30-year fixed rate mortgage loan for ...

It's a tough choice, but some people will be forced to foreclose. Others won't. Find out which factors are likely to make the difference.

The only thing that "joins" the credit of a married couple is the ownership of joint accounts. In other words, if there is a credit card, line of credit, mortgage or loan in both names or one party is an authorized user on one of the other person's account, then the credit report agencies include this ...

Think of yourself as your own little company. To make it run smoothly, you need to take a look at your books.

Foreclosed homes may be financially appealing, but there are many obstacles to consider before buying.

FICO 08 means that certain types of old debt won't affect your credit score, but it's not all good news.

Budgeting your living expenses doesn't have to put you in the poor house. Read on for some tips on efficient money management.

Learn from others and don't fall prey to these financial pitfalls.

If you're looking for a spooky spot this Halloween, these communities boast the most horrifying foreclosure rates in the country

Hidden costs can create what looks like a good deal. Find out how to find the best mortgage possible.

Hold too tightly to this rescue line and you'll soon be drowning in debt.

The recession is a wakeup call for students in post-secondary schools.

If you need to borrow money and your credit is making it tough, this new option may be just what you're looking for.

Buyers with big down payments should get the best mortgage terms. Unfortunately, the equation isn't that simple.

If you hope to enjoy a comfortable retirement, it's time to get real. Here are four cold, hard truths every soon-to-be retiree must face.

When the economy is down, more people file for bankruptcy. Make sure you know about the changes that have been made to this process.

Before you jump on the plane, understand the rules and regulations in place. Then, enjoy your time studying aborad!

Have you weighed the consequences of your choices against their apparent benefits? In many cases, the answer is no.

Is the bond you're buying investment grade, or just junk? Find out how check the score.

Keep saving when mortgages, marriages and debt demand your attention.

There are laws that can protect, to a certain extent, the value of a home from property taxes and creditors following the homeowner's death. A homestead exemption is a legal doctrine preventing the forced sale of a home and protecting the home's value from property taxes and creditors.

If your identity is stolen, it's critical to act fast. Find out what to do if it happens.

Take charge of your finances and make them work for you.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid got an upgrade in 2009. All those applying should be aware of these improvements.

Many mortgage brokers adapted to the post-subprime environment by becoming loan modification specialists.

Add additional debt to your real estate assets to keep the creditors at bay.

Know which credit card rewards program is right for you before signing up.

Financial guru Suze Orman once challenged her fans to go a day without spending any money. Here are the lessons learned from this exercise.

It sounds like a great deal for a house, but you may have to sacrifice some of the items on your wish list to get it.

Credit ratings are an important tool for borrowers to gain access to loans and debt. Good credit ratings allow borrowers to easily borrow money from financial institutions or public debt markets. At the consumer level, banks will usually base the terms of a loan as a function of your credit rating, so ...

We explain the calculation and payment process as well as the amortization schedule of home loans.

Whatever a student needs, there's a discount for it. Most of the time all you have to do is flash a valid student ID card to get a bargain.

Student loans bridge the gap between college savings, scholarships and the part-time work.

The average American family is nearly $11,000 in debt. Here are seven expenses that might be keeping you in the red.

In weaker economic times, banks may be tested by the government to see how safe they are.

You can save money on a date, but there's a right way and a wrong way to do it.

GM's announcement to sell cars online via eBay has many consumers curious - find out how to purchase online successfully.

Credit rating agencies have a long history in this country. Learn about what they do and how were they developed.

For the U.S. median house price, you can live in a mansion or a closet, it all depends on location.

Philanthropic giving is not just about money - millions of volunteers donate their time to worthy causes every year.

While depressed real estate prices have created bargains for buyers, these lower prices come at a cost.

Living with someone can cut your expenses, but in addition to not doing the dishes, your roommate may do serious damage to your credit.

While college freshman may be academically prepared for school they often have a lot to learn when it comes to managing money.

Learning to manage your money is no easy task, but there are plenty of resources designed especially to help.

The traditional idea of a short sale is selling something you don't have so that you can buy it back at a lower price. The easiest example is stocks. Short sale of a stock involves borrowing stocks from a broker in order to sell them, and when prices fall, buying back the stocks to return to the broker ...

If your retirement plan hasn't worked out, at least your children can learn from your mistakes.

Now is the time to lock in your variable rate student loan to optimize your educational investment and save on your repayment.