CFPB: It’s Not Too Late to Spring Clean Your Finances
Spring cleaning isn’t just for decluttering your home. You can take advantage of the changing seasons to clean up your finances and make sure you know where you stand. These steps can help you clean up your financial life as you work towards your goals. Here’s a few ways to get started spring cleaning your…
CFPB: How to Understand Special Promotional Financing Offers on Credit Cards
CREDIT CARD TERMS By Gail Hillebrand How do you tell the difference between a zero interest and deferred, or “no” interest credit card offer? Look for the “if.” Zero interest offers use language like “0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months.” Deferred interest offers use language like “No interest if paid in full…
CPFB: IRS Is Using Private Debt Collectors. Here’s What You Should Know…
By Colleen Tressler Do you have a debt with the IRS that’s more than two years old? If so, you might be getting a letter from the IRS about your account being transferred to a private debt collector. This new program only applies to taxpayers who have had an IRS debt for years and who…
CFPB: Take the Quiz to See How Prepared You Are to Make Financial Decisions
When it comes to making financial decisions, do you feel prepared? For example, if you need to buy a new car, are you prepared to make the financial decisions that come with taking out an auto loan? What if you are ready to get a new credit card? How will you decide which one offers…
CFPB: “Your Money, Your Goals” Webpage Has New Look and New Financial Empowerment Tools
We’ve recently updated the Your Money, Your Goals webpages to make it simpler for staff and organizations to access our tools. This suite of financial empowerment materials provides frontline staff and volunteers at organizations across the country with information to use when having conversations about money with the people they serve. The updates include new…
CFPB: Four Tips to Get Back on Track if You’re Behind on Your Auto Loan
Paying your bills on time is critical for maintaining or improving your financial situation. Late payments will show up on your credit report, hurt your credit scores, and limit your ability to get other credit. If you’re having trouble making your car payment, you’re not alone. According to trends in auto loan repayment data ,…
CFPB: Office of Servicemember Affairs Guides Military through Financial Hurdles
We’re releasing our fifth annual servicemember report, The Office of Servicemember Affairs: charting our course through the military lifecycle. Servicemembers matter. We created this report to highlight some of the most common financial struggles servicemembers face during their military careers. These struggles are well documented in the over 74,000 complaints we have handled from the military…
ABA: 6 Financial Traps New College Graduates Should Avoid
WASHINGTON — More than 70 percent of college graduates began their career owing more than $37,000 in student loans in 2016. Considering this debt load and other living expenses that lead young adults to delay major life events like getting married or buying a home, it’s critical for new college graduates to focus on their…
ABA: 5 Ways to Protect Your Small Business from Ransomware Attacks
National Small Business Week is April 30- May 6 WASHINGTON — Ransomware has become one of the fastest growing malware threats to small businesses in recent years. According to the FBI, in 2015, more than $1.6 million was lost due to ransomware attacks. The popular malware is used by cybercriminals to freeze business networks and…
CFPB: Making the Decision to Rent or Buy
Buying a home is exciting. It’s also one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. Choosing a mortgage to pay for your new home is just as important as choosing the right home. You have the right to control the process. Check out our other blogs on homebuying topics, and join the conversation on Facebook…