Monthly Archives: May 2010

We have all heard the warnings about the future of Social Security. People worry that the program is going to run out of money and that future generations are putting aside money today for a program that they will never get to benefit from. To an extent these worries are well-founded, although the panic that […]

One of the most important decisions for parents and grandparents to make if they hope to fund a college education for their children and grandchildren is to determine the best type of college savings plan to use. In recent years, 529 plans have grown in popularity and become the most common college saving vehicle. There […]

In a rush to refinance or complete an original mortgage application and lock in low interest rates, many homeowners are less sensitive to mortgage fees and costs than they used to be. There are always going to be fees for a mortgage product but every lender discloses those fees differently. It’s important as you’re preparing […]

The housing market has been a buyers market over the past year or two, with buyers holding most of the power in the negotiating arena. First time homebuyers have had an even greater advantage as they have been given an $8000 tax credit for purchasing a home this year and they don’t have to worry […]

According to numbers released at the end of July, the number of homeowners in trouble that are actually receiving help in the form of a modified mortgage payment is staggeringly low. Only 9% of homeowners with a home in some stage of foreclosure have received much needed assistance. Banks and loan service providers have pledged […]

A favorite element of using credit cards for many people has been the enticement that they were earning points to rewards. Customers who spent more using their credit cards and built up debt balances were rewarded with airline tickets, hotel stays, cash, or catalogs filled with almost anything else a person could desire. Some companies, […]

If you’re in the market to buy a home, welcome to one of the best buyer’s markets in history! Home prices across the country are sharply lower than they were a couple of years ago and sellers are desperate to get out from under mortgages that have become difficult to pay for many homeowners. Over […]

Recently, a Bank of America customer opened her credit card statement only to find that her APR had increased from 12.99% to 29.99%. The customer was so upset that she turned to the Internet and posted a 5 minute video attacking Bank of America and the entire credit card industry. In the scathing video, the […]

Financial magazines, reports and blogs are abuzz with the resurgence of gold loans possibly replacing personal loans. Gold loans are similar to secure loans in all but three ways: • Gold translates into money very easily. • Gold does not depreciate; in fact it appreciates every year. • Gold is accepted around the world without […]

On Thursday, May 13, 2010 Richard (RJ) Eskow, a blogger for the Huffington Post, responded to critics after RJ blasted payday and personal loans. Essentially, RJ called the system “evil”, and even admitted such in his defense, and he objects to being called a “Doofus Major du Jour” and a “pig.” Still, you have to […]