Whether for free or a fee, numerous websites offer credit scores. However, according to a recent FICO report, the majority of credit score inquirers believe they’re receiving their FICO Score, when, in fact, they’re receiving a non-FICO score. “Because other credit scores look similar to FICO Scores, consumers have no way of determining, through the credit score itself, whether or …
Knowing you want to buy a home is one thing, but do you know how much house you can afford? How do you pinpoint a house where the monthly mortgage payment is financially within your reach, and one that won’t drive you deep into debt? Let’s take a look…
Do you understand how the credit scoring system works? A recent survey shows that people who get their credit score know much more about how the system works than do those who do not. According to a survey released in June by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and VantageScore Solutions, the percentage of consumers who have obtained at least …
Hispanics are feeling positive about their financial situation, according to new research commissioned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), despite the slow growth in wages and still rebounding economy. The study examined the perceptions Hispanics have of their finances today as compared to the past, and how prepared they are for emergencies.
Low- and no-maintenance features top the list when making over outdoor living spaces because less time maintaining means more time enjoying. Low-maintenance landscaping outranks native plantings, water features and food/vegetable gardens according to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) 2014 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends survey. Landscape professionals love to share their secrets and show off their craft when redesigning …
The performance of the mortgage market is not the same anymore, even with the lower rates. Business has not been that good for the banks, and they have started to make their requirements less strict and offer a wider variety of loans. Among these are interest only mortgages, piggyback loans, adjustable rate mortgages and more attractive terms and conditions. What …
Are you planning to refinance your home? When you do this, the clock would also reset. What this means, is that you might actually be turning time as far back as 30 years even when choosing to refinance. What we suggest is that if you are just a couple of years away from paying your debt, refinancing is definitely not …
Nothing is worse than trying to pay off debt, only to fall into a faux debt collection scam, leaving you—and your finances–in worse condition than before. “Unscrupulous scams hurt consumers and unnecessarily impedes legitimate debt collection efforts,” says ACA International CEO Pat Morris. “The recovery of consumer debt is vitally important to our local, state and national economies. Those who …
As more Americans make strides towards responsible spending and debt management, there are still ways to improve the control of family finances. According to a survey recently conducted by Bank of America, which asked respondents about their credit card usage, balance and rewards, less than half of cardholders always pay their entire credit card balance. With more than half of …
