Credit

Credit.com: Debt Diet Challenge, Week #8

With each passing week, my Credit.com Debt Diet participants get savvier and savvier about paying off their debt. This week, one learned the psychological benefits of paying off bills as they come, rather than in one chunk at the end of the month. Another learned to break her goals into smaller steps so it’s easier to see the progress. For more on what they’re learning and how they’re doing, see what the Debt Diet participants are blogging about this week.

New York Daily News: The rise of debit card fees

Thanks to a recent amendment, banks might start charging you more to use your debit card. In my newest  New York Daily News column, I tell you what this change means for your wallet.

Money 911: Investing tips for young workers

Is it ever too early to start contributing to a 401(k)? I say no way — the sooner, the better! This morning on Today‘s Money 911, we took questions from a few young workers who wanted to know all about investing in the stock market and beginning 401(k) contributions. To see what we told them, check out the video clip below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Credit.com: Debt Diet Challenge, Week #7

As my Debt Diet Challenge participants are learning, the fable of the tortoise and the hare has never been more true: slow and steady wins the race. When you’re staring at a mountain of debt, it can be difficult to think that there will ever be an end in sight. But small, steady progress will get you to where you need to be. To hear more about the ups and downs of the Debt Diet process, see what the participants are blogging about this week!

New York Daily News: Credit companies required to reveal scores

New regulations from the Federal Reserve and Federal Trade commission require lenders to reveal the reasons behind a decision to deny an extension of credit or an interest rate — including the credit score used to make that decision. What exactly does this mean for consumers? Check out my latest  New York Daily News column, where I tell you how to understand and take advantage of this new rule.

Today’s Money: How to take advantage of low interest rates

Interest rates are as low as they’ve ever been, and Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, has said they’ll remain that way until mid-2013.  This morning on Today, I talked about what this means for car loans, HELOCs, and CDs — and how you can benefit from these low rates. To see these tips and more, check out the video clip below.

 

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

New York Daily News: Credit Card Benefits

Are you a part of the 55% of Americans who aren’t familiar with the benefits their credit cards offer? Check out my latest  New York Daily News column, where I tell you all about extended warranties, purchase protection, and other benefits you should know about.

Money 911: Is rent-to-own too good to be true?

This morning on the Today show, we talked about the pros and cons of renting to own, as well as what to do when your credit card company closes your credit card. For these tips and more, check out the video clip below.

 

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Money 911: Tips for first-time investors

This morning on Today‘s Money 911, we talked about you can start investing — as well as what to do when there has been fraudulent activity on your credit card. For these tips and more, check out the video clip below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Credit.com: Debt Diet Challenge Week #3

My Credit.com Debt Diet participants are still going strong, despite some unexpected obstacles. Chris’ sidewalk needed fixing, and Penny’s truck looked like it needed around $1,000 in repairs. Neither let this get them down, and both used the experiences as a reminder that you always need to have that emergency savings cushion. To read more about their progress, check out my post here. Or, if you’d prefer to hear about in their own words, see what the participants are blogging about this week!

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