Checking Accounts

"Tricking" Yourself To Save Money

Dear Christine, I have the worst time saving money. My “rainy day” fund is used up every other paycheck. From a new set of tires here…to a new set of brake pads there -- I cannot keep up. Someone said that you need 5-8 months savings. I can’t even save up 5-8 days! Why is it so hard? “No Savings in Salt Lake” Dear “No Savings,” Life gets expensive and things come up all of the time; I know. There is a big trick to savings when you have a lot of expenses – saving small amounts and then … [Read more...]

The Overdraft Fee Nightmare

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, new to the scene of consumer reporting, is challenging the banking institution’s practice of charging overdraft protection penalty fees on checking accounts. They are testing sample text that will disclose these fees on checking account statements. Overdraft fees have the capacity of inflicting serious financial damage on those people who can least afford it. The bureau wants to learn how consumers are affected, and how they are able to anticipate and … [Read more...]

The Truth About High Risk Loan Companies

What Is A High Risk Loan? A high risk loan also known as a Payday Loan, is a short-term loan meant to carry the borrower for only a couple weeks or maybe a month. Regulation and legislation of these types of loans varies from community to community. To prevent usury (unreasonable and excessive rates of interest), some communities limit the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) that any lender, including payday lenders, can charge. Some communities outlaw payday lending entirely, and some have very few … [Read more...]

If An Account Goes Into Collections, What Are Your Rights Under The FDCPA (Fair Debt Collections Practices Act)

Given the current economic turmoil occurring in America lately, unemployment is at an all time high, jobs are scarce, and people are more stressed about finances than any other time in recent memory. To add fuel to this already growing financial inferno, while the times were good, we did what Americans do best: spend money! And when Americans spend money, we’re talking credit, and lots of it! The Honeymoon Is Over So now that you may be out of a job, bills are stacking up, and your phone is … [Read more...]

How to Protect Your Identity For Free

Key Statistics 11.1 million adults were victims of identity theft in 2009 The total fraud amount was $54 billion The average victim spent 21 hours and $373 out of pocket resolving the crime 4.8% of the population was a victim of identity fraud in 2009 13% of identity fraud crimes were committed by someone the victim knew The Most Common Types of Identity Theft While working as a credit repair expert, I encountered many clients who were victims of identity theft of some kind. The … [Read more...]