Browsing Category

Debt

How To Combat Common Financial Aid Pitfalls

A college education is something that anyone who wants it should be able to have access to. Yet, with the cost of tuition continuing to rise and the latest reports stating that most graduates, on average, have a debt of around $27,000 following graduation, it’s no wonder that financial aid is such a hot topic.

If you or someone who you know is preparing to go to school, financial aid is needed and you’d like some information on how to avoid some of the common pitfalls that come with it, we have enclosed five things for you to know below:

Don’t overlook other options. Although many students apply for some form of financial aid each semester, remember that this shouldn’t just include taking out a government loan. There are many scholarships and grants that are available as well. CollegeGrant.net and CollegeScholarships.com are two websites that can provide you with a list of ones to apply for.

Talk to the school about payment plans. Some people feel that they can’t attend the college of their dreams due to how much it costs to go, but there are actually many schools that provide payment plans so that you can pay monthly for your tuition rather than providing the entire amount in one lump sum. Also, most college websites have what is known as a Net Price Calculator which helps you to figure out what the net price of attending their school would be. The reason why this is beneficial is because you may discover that your net price is lower than you initially estimated and so even if you did need some financial assistance, it might not be as much as you thought (which means, you won’t incur as much debt as you assumed).

April 22, 2013

Debt

Can You Borrow Money From Your Life Insurance Policy?

If you’re in a current situation where you need a significant amount of cash, but you don’t want to rely on your credit cards or take out a home equity or payday loan in order to get it, another option that you might want to consider is borrowing money from your life insurance policy. If you weren’t aware of the fact that this is something that you can do, it is, although we definitely recommend that you explore some of the pros and cons with taking out this particular kind of loan before making the decision to do so.

The Pros of a Life Insurance Loan

First, let’s explore some of the benefits that come with taking out a loan on your life insurance policy. One thing that people like most about this particular choice is that most life insurance loans tend of have a lower interest rate than a loan that you would take out with a bank. Plus, there is no pressure to pay the loan back. You will simply receive a statement at the end of the year letting you know how much is owed, including the interest (which tends to be between 5-9 percent). So, as you can see, there are some good things that come with taking out this kind of loan.

April 20, 2013

Debt

Dispelling Credit Myths: The Truth About Credit For Married Couples

While it is true that you will be sharing a name, a house, a bed, a kitchen, and probably the popcorn as you watch Friday night movies, it is not true that you and your spouse will be sharing a credit report. Neither is it true that marriage makes taxes higher. In fact, quite a few credit myths could affect how you handle your finances, especially when you get married. Here, we outline a few.

MYTH #1: Marriage makes you pay more taxes. While not everyone gets to pay less tax when they get married, not everyone has to pay more tax either. To make the picture more concrete, let’s take a look at the cold, hard facts from the Business Insider:

-Couples with disparate income enjoyed an average tax break of $1,300

-51% of married couples paid less in taxes jointly than they would have if they were single

-42% of married couples paid more taxes jointly

Thus, when it comes to taxes and marriage, your mileage may vary. Just hope that you’ll belong to the 51% of couples who paid LESS tax when they got married.

April 12, 2013

Debt

5 Tips For Avoiding An Upside Down Auto Loan

If you are searching or want to apply for a loan to purchase or make payments on a vehicle, the last thing you want is to be upside down on your debt. Being upside down, or “underwater,” simply means that you owe more money to your lender than your car is actually worth. Sometimes if the window to pay back your loan is extended and your car has rapidly depreciated in value, you can find yourself in this situation. In order to avoid being upside down on an outstanding debt to a lender, it is important that you consider a few things and weigh your options even before you apply for the loan.

Here are 5 tips for avoiding an upside down auto loan:

Consider Depreciation Before You Buy

One of the best ways to avoid negative equity or being upside down on an auto loan is to purchase a car model that won’t depreciate to a certain point where it becomes more expensive than it is really worth. Many luxury cars will put you upside down on your auto loan almost immediately after purchasing it. You want to find a dependable car that will last and that you can sell in the worst-case scenario that you can’t pay back your loan.

March 27, 2013

Debt

Top Ways To Save Money On Your Mortgage

Homeowners all share one thing in common – their largest monthly payments go towards their mortgage. Without the shadow of a doubt, the majority of these homeowners would love to be able shorten the lifespan of their loan and cut the huge monthly premiums. Take a look at some of the most helpful and effective ways to save money on your mortgage.

Make An Extra Payment Each Year

This is one of the easiest ways to cut back on the cost of your mortgage – making an extra payment towards your mortgage every year. The great thing is that these payments are taken from your principal and not the interest. So as well as lowering the remaining balances on your mortgage, you also avoid having to pay interest every month.

March 25, 2013

Older Posts

Newer Posts