Nobody enjoys being in debt, but in everyday life, it’s unavoidable.  We need houses and cars, and sometimes we have no choice but to use our credit cards in emergencies.  It can seem as though you’ll never get out, but it really is possible to become debt-free.  The starting question is which debt to pay [...]

Your mortgage payment stares you in the face every month, and you wonder about the fastest way to eliminate it.  Then you start daydreaming about all the things you could do if you didn’t have to hand that nice chunk of change over to anyone else—but it will be 30 years until you reach that [...]

The great money debate comes down to whether it’s better to pay for things with cash or credit.  Some people strongly argue that cash is better, while others see the advantages of credit.  As with many debates, it really comes down your personal situation and preferences.  Which one are you better at managing responsibly?
Cash certainly [...]

Does your credit card company offer a rewards program?  If not, you might want to consider a different credit card if you really want to get something more for your money.  Many companies offer some sort of rewards program, and customers that take advantage of them report feeling more satisfied with their creditor.
American Express can [...]

Both reverse mortgages and home equity lines of credit allow homeowners to tap into the equity of their homes in exchange for cash. However, these two loans work in very different ways, with different end results for the borrower.
Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit
These types of loans allow homeowners to borrow money using their [...]

If you are lucky enough to find yourself with extra money these days, the first question is whether to invest it or pay off your debt. Ultimately, the decision depends on how much extra money you actually have, as well as your current personal situation.
If investing sounds like a good idea, you’ll want to [...]

Sometimes it seems like things would be so much easier if you could just suspend paying for some of your bills for a few months…and without consequences.  Unfortunately, in most cases, you have to be facing some serious financial trouble in order to qualify.  If you are, one of the first payments you might look [...]

Do you have good debt or bad debt?  Yes, there is such a thing as good debt, just like there’s good and bad cholesterol.  And you want to make sure you have the good kind.
Good debt is anything that you’ve invested in that will build value over time.  Do you own a home?  That’s good [...]

When funds are low and you need to cut back, you’re forced to take a new look at your priorities.  If you’ve reached the point where you’re truly struggling, you might be unable to pay your credit cards.  So what do you do?
Don’t Stop Making Credit Card Payments
If you simply stop making payments, you’re putting [...]

If you have been having problems making your monthly payments recently, you can blame it on the economy or you can take a long, hard look at the way you are managing your personal finances. If it is getting harder to meet your personal financial obligations, you should be looking at how you are spending [...]