Credit & Loans

The average home size is now 2,500 square feet - how big should you go?

Is the U.S. Congress' failure to rein in these mortgage giants to blame for the financial fallout?

There is no simple answer to this question as it depends on a number of key factors, namely the aspects or criteria of your mortgage and investments. By illustrating these factors you'll be better armed to make this choice. The question boils down to: Which of these - the investment or the mortgage repayment ...

Don't be overwhelmed when filling out these forms. Find out what you need to do here.

A couple's finances may not always be a match made in heaven. Find out when to say "I Do".

Unfortunately, the conditions under which hardship withdrawals can be made from a qualified plan, including a 401(k) plan, are determined by the provisions in the plan document (as elected by the employer). Some plans will allow hardship withdrawals of all plan assets, while others will limit hardship ...

Don't get scorched by ATM thieves who want to burn a hole in your wallet.

Are old debts coming back to haunt you? We'll show you how to keep these zombies from eating you alive.

The purchase of a home is a very expensive undertaking and usually requires some form of financing to make the purchase possible. In most cases, the potential buyer goes to the bank and takes out a mortgage for the purchase. The assumable mortgage is an alternative to this traditional technique.

Find out how small investments can add up over time and how to avoid the fees that can eat tiny returns.

Paying your bills early or giving an extra donation now can help you come tax time.

One person often deals with the finances in a relationship, but being ignorant has a cost.

Increasing your savings will provide tax benefits - and peace of mind.

Avoid punishing late fees and keep your credit score intact with these 10 tips.

When you make a mortgage payment, the amount paid is a combination of an interest charge and principal repayment. Over the life of the mortgage, the portions of interest to principal will change.At first, your payment will be primarily interest, with a small amount of principal included.

These simple tips will help you raise financially savvy kids.

Learn how to ditch the rat race with voluntary simple living.

The credit score, commonly referred to as a FICO score, is a proprietary tool created by the Fair Isaac Corporation. This is not the only way to get a credit score, but the FICO score is the measure that is most commonly used by lenders to determine the risk involved in a particular loan.

Carrying this debt can have benefits if done correctly, but is it worth the risk?

Both collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and collateralized bond obligations (CBOs) are similar in that investors receive payments from a pool of underlying assets. The difference between these securities lies in the type of assets that provide cash flow to investors.

For the purposes of a qualified plan loan, the reasonable rate of interest that the Department of Labor provides is one consistent with rates charged by commercial lenders. To apply a reasonable rate to your qualified plan loan, a plan administrator will typically survey a few financial institutions ...

This is just another more convenient way to borrow from your plan. But at what cost?

Would a similar crisis have occurred if iPhone investors were offered the same loan options as homeowners?

Consumer debt instruments allow people to borrow money at specific interest rates. In recent years, the credit industry has become very imaginative in the creation and marketing of consumer debt instruments and, as a result, there is a lot of overlap between debt and non-debt instruments.

Discover another way to fund your retirement without having to make payments on a loan.

Find out how weighted average life guards against prepayment risk.

An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) is a type of mortgage that has a fixed interest rate for a certain time period at the beginning of the mortgage, which then becomes a floating interest rate according to an index (called a reference rate). This reference rate might be the six-month LIBOR, or the six-month ...

Whether you're moving or have just found a better no-fee plan, find out how to switch banks with ease.

The forex market is where currencies from around the world are traded. In the past, currency trading was limited to certain individuals and institutions. This is because the funds required are significantly higher than any other investment instrument.

Take a look at the factors that caused this market to flare up and burn out.

Investors are now able to invest directly in real property, mortgages and other assets.

Follow Indy's advice to conquer the obstacles blocking your path to financial well-being.

Retired entrepreneurs who have "played it safe" and retirees who want to stretch their dollars are looking to invest here.

Creating and using a budget is a valuable tool for all demographics; it's not just for those who need to closely monitor their cash flows from month to month because "money is tight". For people who earn enough income to cover their bills and have a regular monthly surplus, a budget can help maximize ...

Should you refinance your mortgage to purchase other assets? Learn how to weigh your risk.

Actually, any mortgage-backed security (MBS) guarantee depends on who issued it.To review, an MBS is a security, created through the process of securitization, in which the underlying assets are loans made to individuals and companies who are using the funds to purchase buildings and homes.

Will the plan assets you've worked hard for be safe if you experience a personal financial crisis?

These savings vehicles may be better than college saving funds for some families.

Making this dream come true takes work, but it's well worth the effort.

Even though holidays and special events arrive sporadically throughout the year, you can still fight the costs associated with these events using a little foresight and some digging into past spending patterns - and, this is where your budget comes in to save the day.

Get your debt under control by avoiding these common pitfalls.

A credit rating is an assessment of an individual's creditworthiness. This evaluation is based on an individual's history of borrowing money and repaying debts. A person's income and availability of assets also affects the credit rating or score he or she receives.

Overdraft protection can help when you overestimate your balance, but it will cost you.

In a climate of rising interest rates, having an adjustable-rate mortgage can be risky.

Calculate how much your property will need to appreciate to cover the costs of owning it.

A credit crunch occurs when there is a lack of funds available in the credit market, making it difficult for borrowers to obtain financing. This happens when lenders have limited funds available to lend (or are unwilling to lend additional funds), or have increased the cost of borrowing to a rate that ...

Find out what options are available when it comes to borrowing money.