What if a financial emergency, crisis, or sudden need requires more cash than you have available in your savings account? It could be a large medical expense not covered by your health insurance plan, a large down payment on a house, or an extended period of unemployment. You may be tempted to simply turn to your credit… Continue reading Tips to deal with financial emergencies
Tag: credit cards
How credit ratings agencies “score” you
A credit report is a document that grades you on your ability to pay your bill. The credit ratings agencies that provide the reports — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax — gather information from the credit card companies, mortgage lenders, department stores, utilities, and other firms that have provided credit to you in the past. The information… Continue reading How credit ratings agencies “score” you
PayPal vs Dwolla
If you use eBay or have paid someone over the Internet, you’re probably familiar with PayPal. The basic PayPal service lets people pay another PayPal account holder almost instantly. It’s an alternative to paying someone by check, or via cash. The setup for PayPal and alternative services such as Dwolla is straightforward: Enter your bank… Continue reading PayPal vs Dwolla
How to limit spending on luxuries
It may sound easy to limit spending on luxuries, especially if you are someone who doesn’t do much shopping in the first place. But if you have a shopping habit, or a family member who likes to buy luxury items such as high-end laptops or expensive clothes, it’s not so easy. Here are some tactics for… Continue reading How to limit spending on luxuries
Jordan’s credit card problem
A sobering experience for me occurred a few years ago, when I happened to see the docket at the local small-claims court. It was filled with a long list of banks that had filed suit against people who had stopped paying their credit card bills altogether. Those defendants who showed up had two options: Negotiate… Continue reading Jordan’s credit card problem