Consolidated Credit Finance Articles by Meghan Alard | Page 3 of 16

Home » Financial News » Archives for Meghan Alard

Check to see how much is taken out of your paycheck this month to adjust your withholding

Check Your Paychecks This Month

Posted on February 5, 2018 | by Meghan Alard

The Republican tax bill won’t affect your filing this year, but you may see tax benefits as soon as February 2018. According to the U.S. Treasury, about 90% of people will see more take-home income this month as the reform reduces how much is taken out of your paycheck. Here’s what you need to know…..Read full article

Good debt vs bad debt: Examples of good debt

Good Debt vs Bad Debt

Posted on February 2, 2018 | by Meghan Alard

A new study finds that 2 out of 3 consumers believe they will never be debt free, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing when you consider the difference between good debt vs bad debt. We explain the difference so you can get the right financing for your needs...Read full article

Who is most likely to default on student loans and receive final notices?

Who is Most Likely to Default on Student Loans?

Posted on January 12, 2018 | by Meghan Alard

Student loan debt problems don’t affect all demographics equally. Learn who is most likely to default on student loans and what you can do if you’ve defaulted on student debt yourself...Read full article

Freezing your credit cards can support debt free living in 2018

4 Essential Steps for Debt Free Living in 2018

Posted on January 5, 2018 | by Meghan Alard

If you’ve resolved to live debt free this year, Consolidated Credit has four essential tips for avoiding debt this year. You can also sign up for our Debt Free Living 2018 webinar..Read full article

Living without credit cards can be a conscious decision you make to cut up your cards

Living without Credit Cards

Posted on December 29, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

Whether you’ve been denied credit or you don’t think credit cards are necessary, there are things you should do when you’re living without credit cards...Read full article

This year, people want money under the tree, or even better, cash for student loan payments

Student Loan Payments Might be the Top Gift of 2018

Posted on December 22, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

A new study by LendEDU finds that student loan payments may be the top gift of 2018. Borrowers would prefer help with student loan debt over Bitcoin and the iPhone X!..Read full article

How renters can get ahead of rent price increases

Homebuyer Savings Accounts Can Give You an Edge

Posted on December 18, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

Six states now offer tax-advantaged homebuyer savings accounts to help homebuyers overcome the financial barriers to buying a home, such as closing costs...Read full article

Use emergency savings to stay afloat

Debt Delays Gen X Retirement Savings

Posted on December 8, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

Too much debt, particularly credit card debt, is the driving force behind Gen X retirement savings delays. Consolidated Credit offers advice to get ahead...Read full article

A student loan repayment program could be a top benefit for entry level employees

Student Loan Benefits Programs at Work

Posted on December 4, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

More employers are offering a student loan benefits program as a workplace perk. Are these new match programs even more useful than 401(k) match programs?..Read full article

Household holiday spending is high this year

2017 Holiday Spending Survey

Posted on December 1, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

Consolidated Credit asked indebted Americans about their holiday spending plan for this year. The results reveal a “gift gap” that’s rivals the wage gap...Read full article

Thanksgiving Holiday Statistics: Use these Thanksgiving shopping tips to avoid overspending and food waste

Cutting Costs for Turkey Day

Posted on November 21, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

Thanksgiving isn’t the most expensive holiday, but it can still bust your budget. Watch this video for Thanksgiving shopping tips and frugal meal planning...Read full article

Starbucks may soon offer coffee rewards through a co-branded Visa Chase credit card

Cash Back or Coffee Rewards?

Posted on November 14, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

Coffee giant Starbucks announces a new credit card with coffee rewards for java fanatics, but is this is the right choices for caffeine addicts on a budget?..Read full article

What's the right credit score to buy a house and get mortgage approval

Do You Have the Right Credit Score to Buy a House?

Posted on November 3, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

A new survey reveals how much credit is a barrier to first time homebuyers. But what's the right credit score to buy a house and how do you achieve it?..Read full article

If you conduct financial transactions at out-of-network ATMs, expect double the bank fees

Don’t Let Record Bank Fees Bust Your Budget

Posted on October 27, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

For the 13th year in a row, bank fees have hit new all-time highs. Find out where ATM and overdraft fees are the worst and what you can do to minimize them...Read full article

Shuffling a credit card balance from one card to another is an easy way to get turned around with debt

Don’t Play the Credit Card Balance Shuffle

Posted on October 23, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

Trying to game the credit system to achieve a higher score can seem like a great idea, but one wrong move could land you in a heap of credit card debt...Read full article

Seniors hold on to more unpaid credit card debt for longer

What is Unpaid Credit Card Debt Costing You?

Posted on October 16, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

Nearly half of Americans carry unpaid credit card balances for more than two years. We calculate the cost of credit card interest charges over two years...Read full article

The need for increased security is high after the breach of one of the US's major credit monitors

CFPB: Credit Monitors Need Monitoring

Posted on October 9, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

In the wake of the Equifax breach, CFPB Director Richard Cordray explains why the credit monitors in the U.S. need some monitoring of their own...Read full article

Virtual credit card numbers offer added fraud protection for online transactions

A Virtual Credit Card May Offer Extra Security

Posted on October 2, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

With retail data breaches becoming commonplace, a virtual credit card could give you more ID theft and fraud protection in an unsecure world...Read full article

If you have questions about the new reverse mortgage rules for seniors, talk to a HUD-certified housing counselor

New Reverse Mortgage Rules

Posted on September 25, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

New reverse mortgage rules from HUD on the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) Program could mean higher initial costs and less money available...Read full article

Keep your home in the forefront when you work with a HUD-certified housing counselor

Consolidated Credit Introduces Home BASE

Posted on September 18, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

In an ongoing effort to help homeowners retain their homes and avoid foreclosure, Consolidated Credit announces the launch of Home Base loss mitigation...Read full article

Governments and corporations partner to offer affordable housing to employees who rent property

A Corporate Take on Affordable Housing

Posted on September 18, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

Chipotle steps up as the first corporate entity to offer Denver’s rent buy-down program. Are corporations the new landlords for affordable housing projects?..Read full article

Getting cash from a bank teller is easy, but paying back a direct deposit advance to get the cash you need can be problematic

The Dubious Return of Direct Deposit Advance

Posted on September 11, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

Direct deposit advance could make a comeback, but with interest rates up to 300%, this “solution” could be just as bad for your finances as payday loans...Read full article

As we head into fall, use these four fall financial tips to budget effectively for the end of the year

4 Financial Tips for Fall 2017

Posted on September 4, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

As we head towards the most expensive shopping season of the year, Consolidated Credit offers four financial tips to help you avoid credit card debt...Read full article

A city commuter uses a smartphone ride hailing app, which you may soon be able to connect to a ride haling credit card

Ride Hailing Credit Cards

Posted on August 28, 2017 | by Meghan Alard

Services like Uber and Lyft may soon roll out ride hailing credit cards that offer rewards for charging rides. Will they help you save money or hail debt?..Read full article