Debt Management

Understanding Credit & Strategies for Improving Your Credit Score

Understanding Credit & Strategies for Improving Your Credit Score

You can think of a credit score as your report card for how effectively you manage your finances, specifically your loans. The myth is that a credit score is a measure of how much debt you have, and that racking up more debt will result in a higher credit score. The truth, however, is . . . .

IRS Opens Door to Student Loan Repayment Employee Benefit

IRS Opens Door to Student Loan Repayment Employee Benefit

While it currently only applies to one company, the IRS has opened the door for companies to being offering an employee benefit whereby workers have an opportunity to both pay down student loan debt and save for retirement with the same dollars.

Debt Payoff: Why Math Trumps The Common Sense Approach of Rapidly Paying Off Debt

Debt Payoff: Why Math Trumps The Common Sense Approach of Rapidly Paying Off Debt

Focusing on debt payoff can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. Debt payoff strategies abound on the internet, and many mainstream financial gurus have built an empire on the common-sense approach to focus your financial efforts first on paying off your debt. The math, however, doesn’t work out in their favor.

The Dangers of 0% Balance Transfer Offers

The Dangers of 0% Balance Transfer Offers

A reader asked about using 0% balance transfers offers to manage their credit card debt. While these can be beneficial, they can also pose additional risks. Many people who use this strategy find themselves further behind than when they started. Here are some of the common pitfalls to avoid.

Why Have a Net Worth Statement

Why Have a Net Worth Statement

The human brain is an amazing thing, capable of dreaming up whimsical fantasies about our personal finances and how we are doing with our wealth and our debts. Creating a net worth statement is one of the greatest tools we can wield in stripping away our fantasies and waking ourselves to the realities of our personal finances.

Eight additional uses of your net worth statement

Eight additional uses of your net worth statement

You're probably familiar with the net worth statement as a tool for getting a quick snapshot of all you own and all you owe. But the net worth statement is the Swiss army knife of your financial documents, allowing you to use it for a surprising number of purposes. Keep your net worth statement handy for helping with all aspects of your financial plan including your insurance needs, estate planning....