Swings in the housing market can translate to windfall profits — or devastating losses. And it’s difficult to predict which way the wind will blow. If you do find yourself underwater on your house, here’s what it means and what your options are. What does it mean to be underwater?...
Will I lose my house if I file for bankruptcy?
It’s a common fear around filing for bankruptcy — that it means you’ll lose your house. While it’s true that can happen, it’s by no means a foregone conclusion. Here’s what you need to know about the impact of bankruptcy on your house. Whether you can keep your house or...
Visa vs. Mastercard: What’s the difference and how do I choose?
Crack open your wallet and pull out your credit cards. We bet there’s a very good chance at least one of them is a Visa or Mastercard. Here's the difference between them and how to choose the right credit card for you. Visa and Mastercard: What they have in common Of...
Why is Google banning ads from some debt services providers?
When the news broke in October that Google had announced its crackdown on scam ads from debt settlement, debt management and credit repair services, I took notice. These services have long had a bad reputation in the financial services business — sometimes deservedly and sometimes not — and the fact...
How to negotiate directly with your credit card company
If your credit card bills are coming in fast and furious, and you’re having a hard time keeping up, you’re probably hoping for some relief. And in some cases, you might be able to get it by negotiating directly with your credit card company. Many credit card issuers offer hardship...
Here’s the average credit card debt in every state
Credit card debt in the United States is on the rise: It hit $830 billion in the second quarter of 2019, according to Experian. Credit cards are also becoming an increasingly popular form of payment — 60.5% of U.S. adults own a credit card, up 11% from the same time...
Here’s how one family paid off $109,000 in credit card debt
For Brian Brandow, carrying credit card debt was normal. He thought it was simply what people did. After all, everyone he knew had some credit card debt, so how could it be so bad? But this mentality led to chronic overspending — for years. Here’s the story of the Brandows...