Consolidated Credit Finance Articles by Meghan Alard

Are Long Term Auto Loans the Best Commitment?

Posted on April 20, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (3-minute read)

A new report finds long term auto loans are getting longer and longer, leading to more time in debt and higher costs due to added interest charges. Do borrowers really benefit from that commitment?

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What States Can Revoke Professional Licenses for Defaulted Student Loans?

Posted on April 16, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (4-minute read)

A Texas teacher lost his dream job as a teacher after he defaulted, and Texas isn’t the only state that does this. We detail what states can revoke professional licenses for defaulted student loans.

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Can You Afford the Cost of Debt?

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

Another interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve means that the cost of debt for consumers just got higher again. WalletHub has revised their map of cities with the most and least sustainable credit card balances. Can you still afford to pay off your debt in a cost-effective way or do you need debt relief?

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Don’t Loan Credit Cards!

Posted on March 30, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (3-minute read)

If you thought lending money to family was a bad idea, consider that 36 million Americans admit they’ve run into trouble when they decided to loan credit cards to friends and family. Learn why it’s a bad idea and what you can do instead to help someone out.

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Dealing with Medical Debt Collections and Accident Liens

Posted on March 26, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (3-minute read)

If you took a trip to the emergency room after an accident, you might be surprised to learn you have a lien that gives the hospital a right to part of any claim you receive. It’s one way hospitals ensure they collect on your medical bills. We explain how to get out of medical debt collections.

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Is Mobile Banking Better?

Posted on March 23, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (3-minute read)

Millennials are the first to jump on new technology that makes their lives easier, but a new survey finds they also may be the first to dump tech that doesn’t perform like they expect. This survey shows the problems with our current mobile banking experience.

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Are Student Loan Debt Problems Holding You Back?

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

The new Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell admits that student loan debt problems hold Americans back and could slow down economic growth. Learn how outstanding student loans can hurt your credit and what solutions you can use to fix your financial situation.

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Past Due Debt Payments at an All-Time High

Posted on March 2, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (3-minute read)

A new report finds that American consumers are breaking records with past due debt payments, while businesses are managing to keep up. If the economy is strong, then why are some many families facing collection accounts and credit damage?

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Credit Card Skimmers Hidden in Plain Sight at Aldi Supermarkets

Posted on February 12, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (3-minute read)

Discount grocer Aldi is the latest company to be targeted by identity thieves. Credit card skimmers were camouflaged on top of payment terminals, storing card numbers and PINs for Aldi customers. We offer tips on how to protect your identity in a technology-driven world.

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Check Your Paychecks This Month

Posted on February 5, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (4-minute read)

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…

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Good Debt vs Bad Debt

Posted on February 2, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (4-minute read)

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.

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Who is Most Likely to Default on Student Loans?

Posted on January 12, 2018 by | Meghan Alard (1-minute read)

Get important insights into student loan default trends and discover strategies to protect yourself from defaulting on your loans.

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Cash Back or Coffee Rewards?

Posted on November 14, 2017 by | Meghan Alard (4-minute read)

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?

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

Posted on November 3, 2017 by | Meghan Alard (3-minute read)

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?

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Don’t Play the Credit Card Balance Shuffle

Posted on October 23, 2017 by | Meghan Alard (4-minute read)

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.

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What is Unpaid Credit Card Debt Costing You?

Posted on October 16, 2017 by | Meghan Alard (3-minute read)

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.

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CFPB: Credit Monitors Need Monitoring

Posted on October 9, 2017 by | Meghan Alard (4-minute read)

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.

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A Virtual Credit Card May Offer Extra Security

Posted on October 2, 2017 by | Meghan Alard (3-minute read)

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

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New Reverse Mortgage Rules

Posted on September 25, 2017 by | Meghan Alard (4-minute read)

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

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Consolidated Credit Introduces Home BASE

Posted on September 18, 2017 by | Meghan Alard (5-minute read)

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

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The Dubious Return of Direct Deposit Advance

Posted on September 11, 2017 by | Meghan Alard (4-minute read)

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.

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Ride Hailing Credit Cards

Posted on August 28, 2017 by | Meghan Alard (3-minute read)

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?

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How Many Credit Cards Do You Have?

Posted on August 18, 2017 by | Meghan Alard (3-minute read)

In answering the question, “How many credit cards do you have?” the real question should be, “Do you have one card too many?” Find the answer here!

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The Future of the Fiduciary Rule

Posted on August 7, 2017 by | Meghan Alard (4-minute read)

The fiduciary rule is meant to protect consumers from biased investment advice, but many in D.C. believe it’s doing more harm than good. Here’s why.

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