Don’t be the next victim of a debt-collection scam! Here’s all you need to know about these scams: HOW THE SCAMS PLAY OUT In a debt-collection scam, a caller claiming to represent a debt-collection agency demands immediate payment for an alleged outstanding debt. The caller insists on specific means of payment and may threaten to
When trying to trim a monthly budget, most people don’t even consider their fixed expenses; however, with just a bit of effort and research, most of these costs can be reduced. 1. Consider a refinanceTrim your mortgage payments by refinancing at a lower interest rate. It will cost a bit, but you can roll closing
It’s no secret that the IRS excels at making things complicated. And when you’re busy learning the ropes of a new job, trying to fill out a 4-page W-4 form can be a huge hassle. It’s not a good idea to rush through it, though, because a small mistake now can mean withholding too much
Credit scores can affect you more than you know. Employers look at credit scores. Landlords look at credit scores. Bill providers look at credit scores, and they might decide to charge you if yours gets too low. With all this pressure, you’ve no doubt started working on some good habits for improving your credit score.
Using credit cards responsibly is a great way to boost credit score and financial wellness. Unfortunately, though, credit-card issuers make it challenging to stay ahead of monthly payments and easy to fall into debt with credit-card purchases. No worries, though; DoverPhila Federal Credit Union is here to help! Here is what you need to know
Using emergency funds to survive prolonged unemployment, an unexpected large expense, or a medical emergency is the best way to make it through financial hardship. If your savings are depleted, though, it’s best to start rebuilding as soon as possible. Here’s how: SET A GOAL Before getting started on saving up money, establish a tangible
Most would agree – home ownership is part of the American Dream. According to Bankrate, a recent “Consumer Mortgage Understanding Study” conducted by Fannie Mae showed that 91% of more than 3,600 respondents prefer owning a home to renting, but are still largely unaware when it comes to home-buying basics. Securing a mortgage is often
Getting rid of debt isn’t easy, but if you’re ready to do what it takes, you can shake off any amount of debt. Let’s take a look at two popular approaches for paying down debt and explore the pros and cons of each. The debt snowball methodThis approach involves focusing on paying off the smallest
Your credit score is an indicator of your financial wellness and responsibility. We have outlined how credit scores are calculated, why it matters, and steps to take to improve your score. How is my credit score calculated?The three major credit bureaus in the U.S. collect and share information on a person’s credit usage with potential
The COVID-19 crisis has caused income loss, uncertainties, and an increase in fraudulent attacks throughout Ohio and nationwide. Smart money management is more important than ever, but studies show that Americans are falling behind in financial literacy. While the U.S. is the world’s largest economy, Investment News reported it as ranking only 14th for financial
As a financially responsible individual, you should be checking your credit on a regular basis. If all goes well, your credit card statements and report hold no surprises. Sometimes, though, you may find a mistake. When this happens, you’ll need to officially dispute the error to fix your score. Credit Report Mistakes Most credit report
It’s easy to go overboard for Christmas. Giving extravagant gifts to your family members seems like a great idea … until you’re facing a huge credit card bill in January. However, it happened, approach this problem rationally. Blaming yourself is pointless; the important thing now is to right yourself financially. Fortunately, you’re not facing this
Q: I’m trying to increase my credit score ahead of applying for a large loan, so I’m considering signing up for Credit Karma to track my score. How accurate are the credit scores it shares? Is there anything I need to be aware of before signing up for this service? A: Credit Karma is a legitimate company;
Money is one of the most sensitive topics couples face. Disagreement over spending and saving habits is one of the most frequent causes of friction in a relationship. Truthful, frank discussion and mutual financial planning can go a long way to resolve the tension. BUDGET: A DIRTY WORD?Does the mere mention of a budget start
It feels like you just packed away the holiday decorations yesterday, but believe it or not, 2019 is already half over. As we sail into the season of barbecues and beaches, take a few minutes to give yourself a mid-year financial checkup. A small investment of time can spur important changes that can affect your
If you’re like most Americans, you owe money toward a large loan. Whether that means carrying thousands of dollars in credit card debt, having a hefty mortgage in your name, or making car loan payments each month – loan debt is part of your life. It can all get kind of depressing—but it doesn’t have
You’ve heard it from a million places: Budget your money! Make a firm plan and stick with it. It’s the pathway to prosperity! For many people, though, that advice just doesn’t resonate. They feel constricted by a budget. Keeping cash in separate envelopes makes them feel like they can’t have a life. It takes too much planning and
Ohioans, like most Americans, entered 2019 hoping to better their finances, but many have likely already fallen off track. In an Ohio Credit Union League 2019 consumer survey, 69 percent said their New Year’s resolution was to get on a budget. That statistic isn’t surprising; many Americans looked critically at their financial situations as they
If you want to be the master of your credit card debt load, follow these key rules: 1. Take inventory. How many credit cards do you have? What’s the balance and minimum monthly payment on each? What’s the total balance? If it is more than you thought or can afford, then it is time to
