‘You can make it work’: How low-income earners can overcome their circumstances and set financial goals
When Kassie McVay made the decision to distance herself from her alcoholic mother, that meant moving her and her son to another state. She had no car, no housing and no money — but she knew it was the best decision for her and her child. For the next seven years, Kassie and her …. Read More
5 expert strategies for paying off graduate school student loans
Tempura/Getty Images Graduate school: It’s one of the biggest investments of your life. Not only does it extend your academic career, but it has the ability to make your student loan debt burden skyrocket. If you go to graduate school, chances are you’re going to need help paying for its costs. Graduate student loan debt …. Read More
7 tips for navigating student loans on your taxes
An estimated 40 million Americans have student loan debt. While many are seeking to pay off their loan burdens as soon as possible, interest continues to accrue. The good news is the government wants to help manage those interest payments. Come tax season, there are a few ways to include your student loans while filing your …. Read More
Billions in private student loans could be wiped away. Do you still have to pay?
Dorann Weber/Getty Images You may have heard that some private student loans are getting wiped away thanks to missing paperwork. Thousands of borrowers who are behind on at least $5 billion in private loans may see that debt disappear, according to the New York Times. National Collegiate Student Loan Trusts, a massive student loan entity …. Read More
Everything you need to know about home improvement loans
Ernest Prim/Getty Images Sprucing up your home by remodeling your kitchen, painting the house exterior or adding a room can be costly. Home improvement projects, however, will extend the life of your home whether you plan to stay in the house, sell it or rent it out. Updates and upgrades may also increase the value …. Read More
Top 10 reasons to think twice before cosigning a loan
Bruce Ayres/Getty Images Ever been asked to be a cosigner for a car? On paper, it sounds like you might be helping someone out. Maybe your spouse needs help with that vehicle purchase or it’s your child’s first car. Unfortunately, there are often more reasons not to cosign than there are exceptions. There’s a lot …. Read More
Taxes on life insurance: Here’s when proceeds are taxable
Cavan Images/Getty Images Life insurance: It isn’t a fun topic to think about, but it’s an important investment that can protect and financially take care of your loved ones after you pass. The magic of life insurance — whether it’s a term or whole life policy — is that most of the time, proceeds for …. Read More
5 ways to spot student loan debt relief scams
Cultura RM Exclusive/Stefano Gilera/Getty Images There is an estimated $1.5 trillion of outstanding student loan debt. The burden is taking a toll on Americans, from preventing homeownership to delaying other major life milestones, like marriage. Still, it’s easy for Americans to want to eliminate that debt as soon as possible — and criminals are capitalizing …. Read More
‘The bottom is here’: Surprise drop in mortgage rates opens homebuying affordability window
Swings in mortgage rates can sometimes make or break your homebuying prospects. When rates rise, it can squeeze your house budget to its limit and force you to re-evaluate your plans. And when rates fall, you’re in a better position to qualify for loan amount that gets you the dream house. An unexpected drop in …. Read More
‘We’re out of the business of penciling in further increases,’ St. Louis Fed President Bullard says
Daniel Roland/Getty Imagse Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard praised the U.S. central bank’s decision to keep borrowing costs unchanged. “It’s time to wait and see how the economy develops, and I appreciated the way the decision came out,” Bullard said today in an interview on CNBC. “I would like to think …. Read More
