Consolidated Credit Finance Articles by Meghan Alard

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Borrowers with a total and permanent disability qualify for permanent disability student loan forgiveness

Veterans to Qualify Automatically for Permanent Disability Student Loan Forgiveness

Posted on August 23, 2019 by | Meghan Alard (5-minute read)

Veterans will now qualify automatically for permanent disability student loan forgiveness, as well as tax exemption on the discharged debt. Learn more here.

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Federal reserve lowers interest rates in recent announcement

What Happens When the Fed Lowers Interest Rates?

Posted on August 2, 2019 by | Meghan Alard (5-minute read)

When the Fed lower interest rates, it affects your ability to save and pay off debt. Learn what to do following the latest Federal Reserve announcement.

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Budgeting for Christmas in July

Posted on July 15, 2019 by | Meghan Alard (5-minute read)

You might think it’s too early to start thing about budgeting for the winter holidays, but there are just 10-12 paychecks left before the holidays start.

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Consumer Credit Card Debt Breaks Records… Again.

Posted on March 19, 2019 by | Meghan Alard (6-minute read)

It’s official. Consumers ended 2018 with a record $870 billion in credit card debt. If you have high balances to pay, Consolidated Credit has some advice.

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Call your credit card company regularly to negotiate rates and fees

5 Good Reasons to Call Your Credit Card Company

Posted on December 19, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (5-minute read)

A credit card company wants your business, so they’re usually willing to give you certain money-saving perks for sticking with them. Learn how you can turn customer loyalty into more credit card rewards, cut annual fees and lower interest rates.

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Millions may encounter unexpected emergency room bills in January 2019

What to Do If You Receive an Unexpected Emergency Room Bill

Posted on December 10, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (5-minute read)

If you go to an in-network ER, but you get treated by an out-of-network ER doctor, it can lead to major unexpected emergency room bills for you to cover.

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Make sure to check your statements carefully to take note of changes in credit card limits

Two Major Creditors Scale Back on Customer Credit Card Limits

Posted on November 12, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (8-minute read)

Credit card companies set credit card limits based on your score, but your credit limit may also change for other reasons. Here’s what you need to know.

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Learn how to repair your credit, which can improve your score

New UltraFICO™ Score Could Make Rebuilding Your Credit Easier

Posted on October 29, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (5-minute read)

Challenges with credit card debt can often lead to credit score damage, but the new UltraFICO™ score could help you rebuild faster after debt repayment.

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Americans are Already Strapped for Cash Ahead the Holidays

Posted on October 22, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (5-minute read)

Holiday spending often turns into credit card debt. These tips can help you minimize debt if you’re already strapped for cash ahead of the holidays.

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Debt relief programs make it easier to pay off your debt

Will Universal Savings Accounts Really Be the Best Way to Save for Emergencies?

Posted on October 15, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (6-minute read)

Congress wants to create Universal Savings Accounts to give Americans an easier way to generate emergency savings, but will they help average families?

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The cost of education piles up with higher student loan interest rates

How to Avoid Having an Application for Student Loan Forgiveness Denied

Posted on September 28, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (5-minute read)

99% of borrowers that applied for Public Service Loan Forgiveness have had their loan forgiveness denied. We explain how to ensure your PSLF is approved.

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Credit freezes can help increase security against identity theft

Should You Freeze Your Credit?

Posted on September 24, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (6-minute read)

As of September 21, 2018, credit report freezes with all three bureaus are now free, but should you freeze your credit and what are the downsides?

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Credit card debt continues to pile up for millions of Americans,

Are You on a Yo-Yo Diet of Debt Repayment?

Posted on September 14, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (3-minute read)

Americans paid off $40.6 billion of debt in the first quarter but added $30 billion back in the next. Are you on a yo-yo diet of credit card debt repayment?

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Past due debt payment have hit an all-time high

Understanding the Effects of Missed Payments

Posted on September 7, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (7-minute read)

If you have credit cards, the impact of missed payments can be massive. Here’s what you can expect for budget and credit if you miss a credit card payment.

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Personal saving rate: How much do you put into savings?

What’s Your Personal Saving Rate?

Posted on August 24, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (5-minute read)

The personal saving rate hit 6.8% in June, but are Americans saving equally? We look at personal savings and offer tips on improving your saving strategy.

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Reducing the High Cost of Credit Card Debt

Posted on August 6, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (6-minute read)

Consumers pay over $100 billion every year on credit card interest charges and fees. We explain how to minimize the high cost of credit card debt.

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This map ranks states by highest student loan debt burden

Which State Has the Highest Student Loan Debt?

Posted on August 3, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (4-minute read)

A new study from WalletHub explores which state has the highest student loan debt and which borrowers have the biggest student debt burden.

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Find freedom from domestic and economic abuse

Dealing with Debt Caused by Domestic and Economic Abuse

Posted on July 23, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (7-minute read)

Domestic abuse survivors often amass debt getting out of a relationship or from economic abuse. Consolidated Credit helps victims pay off their debt.

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High annual interest rates on credit cards can turn into big costs for cardholders

Do You Know Your Annual Interest Rates?

Posted on July 6, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (4-minute read)

Half of credit card users that carry at least one credit card balance don’t know their annual interest rates, which means they’re probably overpaying.

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Higher gas prices mean putting more money into your tank at the pump if you use gas cards

Are Gas Cards Still a Good Value in 2018?

Posted on July 2, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (5-minute read)

As gas prices increase and interest rates on gas cards rise, is it still wise to use a co-branded gas credit card to fill up? Some experts say no.

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3 out of 4 couples take on credit card debt to put a ring on it

74% of Americans are Getting Married with Debt

Posted on June 15, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (3-minute read)

Three out of four couples will use credit to finance their wedding, with an average price tag of $33,391. We explore why getting married with debt is a fast way to ruin your relationship and offer tips on how to enjoy a debt-free wedding.

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Better debit card rewards may be another reason to cut up your credit card

One More Good Reason You Don’t Need Credit

Posted on June 4, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (4-minute read)

For more than two decades, attractive rewards programs have been a big reason that many consumers turn to credit cards at checkout. But as banks scale back credit card rewards and increase debit card rewards, this trend may be changing.

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A summer budget can help your family enjoy a summer vacation without debt

10 Money-Saving Summer Budget Tips

Posted on May 28, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (7-minute read)

It’s the official start of summer 2018, which makes it the perfect time to set a summer budget so you can avoid credit card debt and achieve your goals. Consolidated Credit offers 10 money-saving tips.

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Teen contemplates credit card bill on a tablet

Half of Teens Don’t See Becoming Financially Independent as a Key Life Goal

Posted on May 25, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (5-minute read)

A new survey finds that only half of teens see achieving financial independence from parents as a key financial goal for the future.

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