Onions have been around for 5,000 years, originating in the Middle East. For 4,000 years, the Egyptians used onions to relieve and cure more than 8,000 ailments. Today’s herbalists use raw onions for many conditions, incl...
For the many people who experience seasonal allergies and sinus problems as the seasons change, any type of symptom relief is welcome – whether it’s from a nasal spray, warm compresses, oral medications or dietary c...
Gluten intake in gluten-sensitive individuals is linked with a variety of mental health issues, ranging from brain fog to anxiety and depression. If you usually avoid gluten but accidentally ingest some, you may experience brai...
You go back and forth between cleaning up for your teen and nagging her to pick up after herself, and yet neither method seems to encourage her to clean up by herself. Though it can take quite a bit of time and effort to establ...
The phrase "clean up" in softball is the same as in baseball and it refers to the fourth spot in the batting order. The idea is that if the first three batters in the lineup all get on base, the fourth batter can get a big hit ...
Your arteries are critical for the health of your body because they supply blood to all of your organs and tissues. The health of the small arteries that supply blood to your heart and brain is particularly important and these ...
Pushups are a common exercise performed in school gym class, military, law enforcement and different methods of combat training. Pushups add functional strength to your upper body, and you don't need any special equipment or mu...
Your arteries may become clogged due to an elevated amount of cholesterol in your system. When this happens, cholesterol lines the sides of your blood vessels, making it difficult for oxygen to flow. Reduced oxygen flow can lea...
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated in a 2010 report that emergency rooms see more than 200,000 playground-related injuries occur each year. It is for this reason that organizations such as the CPSC provide gu...
"Washington Post" columnist Michael Wilbon credited Iverson --- who, as of November 2010 had signed with a Turkish professional team --- with a reputation for thrilling fans and giving all of himself to the game. Through the 20...
David Strettle's rugby career in England began at the age of 5. The wing from Warrington is credited with quick feet and an electric pace that have drawn comparisons to England great David Duckham. The Rugby Football Union repo...
Basketball is a team sport that also requires individual skills. Teams must work together but rely on the skills of each player to score and defend against other teams. Improving your skills as a basketball player will increase...
There can be some significant advantages to consolidating, such as a greater access to credit and interest rates. But the potential advantages can be easily erased by some of the pitfalls of consolidation. For this reason, it's...
Financial responsibility means making enough money to pay for your expenses and pay off accrued debt. When you have a family, you have more to consider than just your own financial obligations. You need to set aside extra money...
If you and your family are facing financial problems, you understand how easy it can be to fall behind on your finances. In many cases a financial issue is just temporary caused by an unforeseen bill or temporary lay-off, but ...
When you have congestion, you may find it difficult to breathe as mucus blocks your nasal passages. Common causes of congestion include colds, flu viruses and sinus infections. If symptoms do not improve within a week, you shou...
Whether you racked up debt before you got married or after you tied the knot, hidden debt can cause your relationship and your credit report to fall apart, says Washington D.C.-based therapist and money coach Olivia Mellan in "...
Red, splotchy shaving bumps, technically known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, are caused by infected hair follicles that have picked up bacteria from your skin and razor. Depilatories, waxing and electrolysis may harm sensitive ...
Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection caused by microrganisms on your skin that create a mold-like fungus. Ringworm appears as a round, circular rash, often scaly and itchy. Ringworm develops on the scalp and skin. Jock-itc...
An unexpected emergency or even routine medical care can leave you owing thousands of dollars in medical bills. For many individuals, a single trip to the hospital can result in financial ruin. A 2009 CNN Health report notes t...
For bodybuilders, bulking up is an essential component of the off-season. While bodybuilders are not losing fat for competitions, they will substantially raise their calories in an effort to gain muscle before the next fat-loss...
Marriage comes with tasks that need to be completed in the first few months, including figuring out the bills and the credit cards now part of both of your lives. You may be considering adding your spouse to your credit card, s...
Acne pimples don't just affect teenagers. Adults can continue to get occasional blemishes. Most people know the distress of waking up with a fresh pimple the day of an important event, whether it's class pictures, a date with y...
Cards are one way that people express their feelings on holidays, birthdays and during other important events. Your children are special to many people, and handmade cards can convey their love. Cards also provide your children...
Dark spots can appear on the skin for a variety of reasons. They may be age spots that develop from too much sun exposure. Or they may be hyperpigmentation spots that appear in areas where inflammation occurred from a cut, acne...
Leupold & Stevens manufactures and assembles optical products in the United States. Its tactical lines stand up to the toughest battlefields the planet has to offer. Several of its products are regulated by the State Depart...
Many of these schools provide advanced placement options for licensed EMT-paramedics, providing them credit for knowledge obtained through their paramedic training. Paramedics can transition to registered nursing careers in les...
Anyone who has ever paid a bill, taken out a loan or been late on a payment has a credit report. These reports detail your history as a credit using consumer, and contain information about you and your behavior as a credit cons...
Whether you want to help your college-age son pay for books, cover your sister's trip to the spa as a birthday gift or help your aging mom with medical expenses, sending money online to a family member is a viable alternative t...
Chores instill a sense of responsibility in children at a young age. Keeping the tasks age-appropriate makes your child more likely to succeed with the cleaning chores you introduce. Tracking cleaning tasks on a weekly chore ch...
Bowflex is a sports manufacturing company that creates equipment for the home that is used to exercise and build up the body. The company sells directly to the consumer primarily through the Internet or phone orders.
In fact the Federal Trade Commission reports that approximately 400,000 children fell victim to identity theft every year. Fortunately, there are many ways you can protect your child from this credit debilitating crime.
Organizing your paperwork can help you get a better grasp of your expenses and financial health. However, that doesn't mean you need to keep every last receipt and statement. In fact, you can discard many of them quicker than y...
Settling credit card debt, especially large amounts of debt through several creditors, can be a difficult process, especially when you or your spouse brings debt into a new marriage, or accrues debt during a marriage. If you ar...
Before you send any money to a friend, take some time to think about it. According to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), you should treat any loan you make to a friend as a business transaction. This means yo...
It was published in May 2007 by Equity Press. The book offers suggestions for reducing or eliminating debt and tips on how to increase income. It delves into the banking and credit card industries, and reveals practices and sec...
When an individual dies unexpectedly, he often leaves behind unpaid debts. According to CreditCards.com, credit card companies cannot legally hold family members liable for credit card debt a deceased loved one owed--even if th...
Up to 9 million people have their identities stolen each year, according to the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC. Most are adults, but criminals target anyone, regardless of age, if they can get a Social Security number or othe...
Convincing your child to clean his room can be frustrating and overwhelming. If your child refuses to clean his bedroom, you can implement a few discipline strategies that will encourage him to take control over his own actions...
The Vogelzang Highlander wood burning stove is certified by the EPA and qualifies for government tax credits of up to $1,500. Vogelzang was originally established in Holland in 1907 and since then has grown to provide customers...
Your job resume represents your first opportunity to make a good impression on a potential employer. Because many busy employers receive hundreds of resumes, you must ensure that employers do not have to hunt to find your skill...
While most rashes on the face are not serious medical problems, they can be embarrassing and uncomfortable for many people. Luckily, there are some natural treatments that can help you clear up a rash on your face. These remedi...
Spousal debt can be a major problem in your marriage. In some states, no matter whose name the debt is in, you may be responsible for the debt and it can even affect your credit score and your ability to borrow in the future. I...
Most people understand that credit is an important topic, but not everyone understands how it really works. Paying your bills on time is important, not just to avoid late fees, but to protect negative information from appearing...
For most parents, dealing with the occasional temper tantrum or "meltdown" is an expected, if undesirable, part of the job description. However, when kids fail to outgrow these explosive outbursts or if they happen too frequent...
The unwanted solicitation of credit card and loan offers can be both an annoyance and a serious risk. While you may just want to reduce your junk mail, credit card solicitations present a far more serious problem. A credit card...
Not everybody thinks of barbell weights as things that need cleaning, but weights in a public space pass through dozens of hands every day--and not all of those hands are as sanitary as one might hope. Knowing how to clean and ...
The move out of your parents' home to your own place is an exciting step. The move also takes lots of planning for a smooth transition. The logistical plan for moving to your own place is only one aspect of the process. The emo...
Stableford golf is officially sanctioned by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Rules for scoring Stableford golf are stated in the USGA rules, Rule 32. You earn points in Stableford golf based on your performance on eac...
Going through a divorce can be hard, but the difficulty can last longer than the divorce process if you don't ensure you separate you and your spouse's credit histories. Every consumer has a credit report that details his histo...
A history of good debt management skills can help you steer clear of overwhelming credit card debt and debt from personal loans. Even the most financially responsible individuals, however, are often unprepared to pay high medic...
A urinary tract infection often does not require hospitalization and can be cleared up and treated at home. However, speaking or visiting with a medical professional is still encouraged. The infection commonly sits in the ureth...
A divorce can have a long-lasting impact on your personal life, and also on your financial well being. When you and your spouse got married, you likely opened credit accounts and entered into consumer credit transactions as a c...
An alternative is the adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM. The ARM has a rate that fluctuates, rising and falling according to the direction of the credit markets. If you take out an ARM, it's important to know what goes into the ...
Delinquent medical accounts can be reported to credit bureau and appear on your credit report. Although standard medical bills are often not reported to credit bureaus, outstanding bills deemed noncollectable by your doctor...
A credit check allows you or others to obtain a record of your credit related activities, which include borrowing and repayment. Employers may use a credit check when hiring, and banks and credit card companies will not agree t...
According to the Bankrate website, nearly 70 percent of consumers have serious errors, including bankruptcy entries, on their credit reports. These errors can make it difficult to obtain financing for an automobile, buy a house...
Beyond the division of two families, ending a marriage involves countless repercussions. A major aspect of every divorce settlement is the management of finances and debt. The type of credit accounts acquired during the marriag...
When splitting up your household, however, don't overlook your credit card debts. Although a judge can order either you or your spouse to assume responsibility for repaying your credit card debts, allowing the court to divvy up...
Medical care in America is costly, even for those with insurance. Leaving medical bills unpaid can have an adverse effect on your credit, leaving you paying higher interest rates on future credit for which you apply. You even f...
Removal of information from a credit report is regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Dispute incorrect names on your credit report by contacting the three major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion....
Perioral dermatitis is a rash that typically appears around the mouth, although it also may surface around the eyes, nose or forehead. Composed of small, red, bubbly bumps, the rash's exact cause is unknown, according to the Am...
In the early days of merchant credit card banking, only a select few businesses could offer their customers the ability to pay by credit card. Individual banks handled the processing, businesses had to buy expensive credit card...
Bankruptcies can damage your credit score, prevent you from obtaining loans and may increase your rates for insurance and financial products. The Fair Credit Reporting Act limits the time bankruptcy information can be included ...
One of the most common mistakes in retirement planning is to allocate the bulk of retirement savings to a retirement account while making minimum payments on outstanding credit card debt. The better strategy is to minimize cont...
Credit card offers can be an unwelcome distraction at work. Offers sent through the mail or directed to your office phone are unprofessional and take time away from your work obligations. Stopping credit card offers requires mi...
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, or NCPG, problems associated with gambling can create psychological, physical, social and vocational trouble in your life. These are major areas, that when disrupted, can l...
The Fair Credit Reporting Act, FCRA, gives you two legal reasons to delete items from a credit report. You have the right to challenge mistaken items, which must be deleted if the lenders cannot prove their accuracy. Most items...
Your credit report is a written record of your past use of the credit which has been extended to you, such as credit cards, mortgages or car loans. If you are late on your payments, have a judgment entered against you, file ban...
Lenders often sell credit accounts, such as mortgages, leases and even credit cards to other companies. Once an account is sold, the account holder owes the same contractual payment obligations to the new debt owner as he did t...
Refinancing a mortgage requires following a similar financing process as an original loan. You agree to accept a finance package that covers the cost of your outstanding loan at a specified interest rate that is used to establi...
Credit card transfers migrate funds from one card to a bank account or another credit card. These transfers can occur to help distribute debt obligations, pay for purchases, obtain a better rate on outstanding credit card debt ...
A corporate credit rating is an evaluation by an outside agency as to the financial strength of a company. As individual investors generally have neither the time, the inclination, nor the ability to thoroughly evaluate a compa...
Your credit report is a record of how well or poorly you have used credit extended to you. If you have missed a payment, filed bankruptcy or otherwise been delinquent in making your payments, you will have a negative mark on yo...
If you lose a lawsuit and owe money to a plaintiff, the legal enforcement action against you is known as a judgment. The three credit reporting agencies, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, are required to report valid informati...
A credit report is a history of your credit usage, listed by account. If you are late with a payment, file bankruptcy or have any other type of delinquency on your report, your credit score will go down as a result of the negat...
A negative account on your credit report can be anything from a late payment to a filed bankruptcy. Generally speaking, negative accounts are extremely difficult to remove from your report, as the three credit reporting agencie...
A credit report contains all of the information from your credit history, including both positive and negative items. The credit reporting agencies--Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian--must report accurate information in the rep...
This is in contrast to the discharge that signifies the successful conclusion of a bankruptcy filing. Even if bankruptcy relief is not granted, credit agencies are required to report a filed and dismissed bankruptcy case for 10...
A judgement will appear on your credit report if you lose a lawsuit that seeks repayment of a debt. If the judgement is valid and you actually owe the money, then you cannot do anything to remove it from your credit report. How...
A judgment is entered against you on your credit report if you are sued for monetary damages and lose. If a judgment was fairly made and represents a valid debt, only time can remove it from your credit report. However, as cour...
Generally, a judgment specifies that you must make regular payments to satisfy an outstanding debt. If you legally owe the debt specified in the judgment, then you cannot remove the judgment from your credit report. However, if...
A judgment is a serious mark on your credit report that indicates you lost a lawsuit and owe money to a plaintiff. Normally, judgments remain on your credit report for at least seven years, and if they are validly obtained, the...
If someone sues you and cannot be shown to have an invalid claim, the court will support her efforts to collect any money or damages owed to her. Judgments are often filed over unpaid credit card debt or rent. Judgments are typ...
Your financial history is detailed in the credit reports maintained by the credit bureaus Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. These details are combined through advanced calculations established by FICO, formally the Fair Isaac C...
Both interest rates and tax rates affect the overall performance of the economy, and they can be manipulated to bring about either an acceleration or a deceleration in the growth rate of the economy. In the United States, the l...
Establishing a strong credit file that accurately reflects your financial stability and obligations is essential to expanding your future financing opportunities. Your credit history can play a role in employment offers and ins...
A credit report is a collection of information related to your financial history that lenders use to determine whether you're a good or bad credit risk. A credit score, meanwhile, is a numerical value calculated using the infor...
The marital agreement and temporary order are types of documents related to the divorce process. Though they can address the same sorts of issues, they are very different and have different effects. The marital settlement agree...
Loans are often required for people purchasing a new home or automobile. Your credit worthiness, as identified in your credit report, plays a large part in deciding the amount of interest you will pay on that loan. Don't allow ...
For cases of true financial hardship, there are a number of options you can utilize to help reduce your debt. However, all of them involve damaging your credit report.
Open-ended credit cards and charge cards are both ways that you can pay in the future for a purchase you make today. Beyond this ability, credit cards and charge cards are very different in terms of their payment and credit pol...
If you are overwhelmed by credit card debt, you may hope that negotiation with your creditors or the use of a debt management program can eliminate your debt. While these actions may help you reduce your debt, in order to actua...
Your financial information is provided to the credit bureaus by various sources. Banks, lenders and credit card companies share your account numbers, balances, credit limits, payments and other data with Equifax, Experian and T...
Secured credit cards, or prepaid credit cards, often require a deposit or security collateral before purchases can be made. These cards are designed to provide credit card services for individuals with credit problems, no estab...
If you loan someone money or lease them property, you can report the loan or lease, as well as the person's payment history, to each of the three major credit bureaus---Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Reporting a newly issued...
Over the course of repaying the loan, changing market conditions can result in lower consumer interest rates or your personal situation may change, leading to the original loan becoming less desirable. In situations such as the...
Insurance companies, owners of rental properties and utility providers typically do not report your credit history and since credit reporting is voluntary, it is not enforced by law. To improve your credit scores, you can repor...
Outside of a highly unlikely forgiveness of your debt by the issuer, generally the only way to truly erase your debt is to pay it off or file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Negotiating your debt with your creditors may get you a reducti...
Your credit history is compiled by reporting agencies Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. They provide it on request to various entities for different reasons. It is usually used by lenders to evaluate your creditworthiness when ...
The prime rate of interest in the United states is calculated using the federal funds rate. The federal funds rate is the amount of interest charged between banks for overnight loans, lending undertaken to ensure that individua...
You have a credit score and credit reports at the Equifax, Experian and TransUnion consumer credit agencies if you've ever gotten a loan or credit card, opened a bank account or conducted other financial business. You may not ...
Bankruptcy is often triggered by life events such as unemployment or medical expenses. Unless you're using your credit cards fraudulently, you probably intend to pay the accounts in full, so considering not paying them can be e...
According to Finweb.com, interests rates are "the amount received in relation to an amount loaned." These rates are expressed as a percentage, or "a ratio of dollars received per hundred dollars." Interest rates change often, b...
Negative credit information can lower your credit score and affect your ability to be approved for new lines of credit and loans. Negative items may include defaulted loans, late payments made on accounts or credit cards that h...
Alternatively, saving money usually results in accumulating more than you originally deposit. The additional amount, or interest, is a percentage of the original loan or deposit. Lenders determine the percentage, or interest ra...
If you have too many credit inquiries, it may adversely affect your credit score by giving the impression you are desperate for credit and possibly in financial trouble. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit inquir...
In exchange for the money, the issuer of the debt promises to repay investors with interest. In order to help investors gauge the risk involved in loaning money to a particular entity, outside ratings agencies evaluate the fina...
Misinformation and incorrect reports can clutter your credit file and impact your ability to obtain new financing. Some listings on your file may be placed in error due to misreporting by your creditors, and some can result fro...
If you have negative items on your credit report, you probably want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Negative information can make it difficult for you to obtain new loans or lines of credit. Before you attempt to fix...
Credit card debt is essentially an unsecured loan made by financial services companies. Although there may be situations in which you can negotiate better payment terms, or even a lower overall balance, the only way to complete...
The information contained in your credit report can potentially determine whether you're able to borrow money for a home loan or new car, get utility or cell phone services or even land a job and it's your right to know what's ...
If you underpay estimated income taxes or don't remit taxes due by April 15, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) charges you interest on the unpaid balance. Companies are also charged interest on late taxes. At the same time, th...
Your credit score is used by lenders to determine whether you qualify as a good or bad risk when it comes to borrowing money. Lenders may use several types of credit scores, including FICO scores, which were developed by the Fa...
Intelligence quotient, or IQ, is a numerical measure of your knowledge and intelligence base. Some schools require IQ testing for their students and use it as a way to gauge how students are doing and apply for financial aid. T...
Very few people who open a bank account check that bank's credit history. When you decide to open an account, you can ensure the safety of your money by making sure the bank has a history of good credit. The FDIC does not relea...
Every year, you are eligible for a free credit report through the Federal Trade Commission sponsored Annual Credit Report website. While reviewing your credit reports, you may find items that are inaccurate or incomplete. Becau...
A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is a type of revolving credit line that is secured using your home as collateral and the amount of credit you qualify for will be based on the amount of equity you have. A home equity lin...
If you have a lot of debt spread over many credit cards and loans, you should consider debt consolidation. Do not jump in head first, however. Seventy percent of Americans who consolidate their debt into one loan end up with th...
Think twice, however, before committing to any agency and proceed with caution. While some have your best interests at heart, just as many are trying to lure you into a credit balance write-off scam.
A trade line is simply an entry on your credit report that contains the details of your credit history with a single lender. In essence, the trade line is the building block from which your credit rating is constructed. If you ...
When you need to borrow money as an individual or as a businessperson, the interest cost is a major consideration. Equity lines of credit are popular options for a couple of reasons. By securing the loan with equity, you get lo...
The invention of the Internet marked a substantial change in the way society operates. As the Internet continued to evolve, many businesses began to take advantage of websites to promote and sell their products, including gambl...
In order to reduce the risk of default, some bonds are insured by outside companies, which promise to make payments in the event of an issuer default. Bonds with outside insurance are given the highest rating of AAA by ratings ...
As this promise of repayment is only as good as the financial strength of the borrower, outside agencies often assign ratings which help investors understand the credit quality of various bond issuers. Some issuers, especially ...
You are best served by undertaking other alternatives before you resort to filing a bankruptcy. For example, you may have obtained a credit card consolidation loan as a means of attempting to control and better manage your debt...
When paying with cash is either inconvenient or not an option and you do not want to use a long-term form of revolving credit, a charge card may be just what you need. A charge card can be a source of short-term financing and a...
Getting funds from a credit card is usually not recommended by financial experts. When you use a credit card to access cash, in most cases you are subjecting yourself to extra fees and higher interest rates. Due to the amount o...
Your creditworthiness is an essential measurement required by banks, lenders, insurance companies and other institutions to determine the risk they face when financing a mortgage, offering car insurance or funding an investment...
Inaccurate or false listings on your credit report can hurt your ability to obtain financing for cars, a home or a new credit card. Credit reports are distributed and maintained by three primary credit bureaus in the United Sta...
Getting a copy of your credit report for free is easy--in fact, the government mandates that you have access to a free copy at least once a year. However, getting a credit score for free is not nearly as easy. The scores are p...
The trade line is the basic building block of the credit histories that play such a big role in your financial life. The data contained in trade lines is the main source used for calculating your credit rating/credit score. Eac...
A credit report contains private information collected and maintained by credit reporting agencies. According to fair credit reporting laws, only people or organizations you authorize can legally access your credit report. Desp...
Banks consider this information carefully when evaluating any application you submit for a loan or line of credit. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, analyzing consumer credit reports and scores helps banks formu...
Your credit reports are put together by outside parties such as the TransUnion, Equifax and Experian credit reporting agencies. They don't ask you before adding information, and they occasionally make mistakes in what they repo...
If you have a less-than-stellar credit report, you can take action to clear up negative items on it. Late payments, defaulted accounts and credit inquiries can affect your ability to obtain approval for new lines of credit or l...
Credit scores are three-digit numbers assigned by credit reporting agencies to help creditors assess the risk of extending new credit lines or loans. Individuals with a high credit score have a better credit history than indivi...
The process of qualifying for a mortgage or car loan can be difficult if your credit rating is low. Lenders review your credit report and rate it according to the score. Rating is a process that places credit scores in a catego...
If you plan on financing a major purchase within the next few years, your credit score will play a big role in the amount of interest you'll pay. Your credit score is a snapshot of how effectively you have used credit in the pa...
Consumers who don't have a credit history can find it difficult to obtain a credit card, but it's not impossible. It helps if these consumers have resources they can turn to as they work to get an approved credit card. They nee...
If someone has defaulted on a loan or lease made by you or your business, you may choose to report that delinquency to one or more of the three major credit bureaus --- Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. Each bureau has its own r...
Any time you buy now and pay later, you use a form of credit and add another chapter to the story of your credit history. Credit rating agencies like TransUnion, Equifax and Experian collect this credit information, good or bad...
Your credit history determines your ability to borrow money for major purchases, such as a house or a car, and to get credit cards; it also can determine whether you have to pay an additional deposit for things like cell phones...
If you fail to pay a creditor on time, that creditor has the right to turn your debt over to a collection agency. Some collection agencies report to the credit bureaus--causing the debt to appear on your credit report for up to...
The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires TransUnion, Experian and Equifax to provide you with a free copy of your credit report every year. In addition, you get a list of the names of individuals and businesses who requested a co...
History tells a story of things that occurred in the past. You can read about it, learn from it and use it to make tomorrow better. Every person and event, including personal and business credit, has one. The story told in your...
Finding yourself in the position of being unable to pay a credit card bill can be scary and lead to feelings of panic and despair. For some, avoidance is a standard response. This is not a good idea and can only make a bad situ...
Your credit score is a record of your personal debts and how you manage them, and it is the most important factor that mortgage lenders consider when they review your application for a home loan. Your credit score has a direct ...
If you've fallen behind on your American Express bill or are simply tired of throwing away money each month on interest and fees, debt settlement may be one option for eliminating your debt quickly. Debt settlement allows you t...
If you've fallen behind on your credit card debt, one option creditors have to recover what's owed is to obtain a judgment against you so they can initiate a wage garnishment. Under the terms of the judgment, the garnishment wi...
In a Chapter 13 filing, you create a monthly payment plan to restructure and eliminate your debts within a three to five year time frame. Doing so allows you to fulfill your obligations to creditors while retaining control of y...
A preferred stock is a hybrid security issued by a company that shares characteristics with both bonds and stocks. Like bonds, a preferred stock is primarily an income security, paying investors a specified rate which is typica...
Businesses use this technology to provide instant access to information, products and services. A common example of how technology eliminates waiting is the speed in which you can get a credit card. Many retail and online busin...
Your credit history is a compilation of your current and past debts, accounts, personal information and public records. The credit bureaus use your credit history to generate both your credit report and credit score. Thus, your...
If you're carrying around high-interest credit card debt, you may be wondering what your best option is to pay down your debt quickly. One possibility is to use your retirement funds. If you have money in an individual retireme...
Federal law prohibits a debt collector from communicating or threatening to communicate false credit information. This prohibition also includes the failure to communicate information that a debt is disputed. These and other pr...
In referring to personal credit, the term "judgment" means a financial obligation imposed upon you by a court order stemming from some type of unpaid debt or unfavorable decision in a lawsuit. Such judgments are reported to eac...
Moody's Investment Service is a bond rating agency that provides its opinion on the creditworthiness of bonds in the form of a credit rating. As average investors are more likely to purchase a bond that has been rated by a thir...
Money market deposit accounts are FDIC-insured savings accounts that provide interest rate-based earnings. As a conservative investment option, this savings account is often provided by banks as an alternative to standard check...
A credit report is a record of a person's financial responsibility, detailing the amounts owed by that person, his history of repayment and any delinquencies in his servicing of personal debt. If you are thinking about lending ...
A home equity line of credit gives you the ability to borrow against the equity in your property as you need funds to pay expenses such as college tuition or home improvements. Commonly abbreviated HELOC, home equity lines of c...
Whenever you apply for credit cards, loans, housing or insurance, your credit rating plays a role in your approval. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, a positive credit rating benefits you by helping you ac...
Before you sign your name to a credit card application, make sure that you haven't intentionally included any misleading information. Credit applications require your signature as a way to confirm that the information you have ...
The Fed rate and the prime rate are both benchmark interest rates. Neither are generally available to the public. They're benchmarks because they are used as the starting rate, applied to the best-rated borrowers, on which othe...
Property owners should always conduct full background checks, including a credit check, on all perspective tenants. A credit check can provide information such as bankruptcy filings, late pays, collections, charge-offs, evictio...
Your credit score is an important part of your financial health. Lenders use credit scores to make decisions on extending credit, the amount of credit extended and the interest rate on charges. Even one percentage rate differen...
Loans of this type, called second mortgages, carried with them the stigma of financial desperation. In 1999, however, a series of Citicorp advertising campaigns were successful in changing attitudes. As of 2010, home equity loa...
A home foreclosure will stay on your credit report for seven years. This can make it difficult for you to purchase big-ticket items such as a car or a house if you cannot afford to pay cash. However, if your foreclosure was unj...
Financial institutions and businesses get lists of potentially credit-worthy customers from the credit bureaus in order to generate pre-approved business credit offers. The credit bureau lists indicate businesses that are consi...
A foreclosure listing can significantly damage your credit rating and hinder your ability to get approved for low interest rates on new loans and lines of credit. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, foreclosures can app...
As a consumer, it's important to understand how information contained in your credit report can affect your ability to borrow money, secure a place to live or even find a job. The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 USC 1681 ...
There are ways to get rid of credit card debt legally, without spending your lifetime working toward being debt-free. According to CreditCards.com, the average credit card debt per household is $16,007 as of March 2010. With nu...
Credit ratings are used to assess an individual's financial responsibility. They track past loans and other credit situations to see how the consumer handled his debt. When problems arise, such as delinquency or bankruptcy, the...
If you apply for a mortgage loan, credit card or even fill out a rental application, you can expect a subsequent credit check. Through a credit check, a landlord or lender evaluates your past financial history to determine whet...
Each entry on your credit report appears within a tradeline. Tradelines contain basic information about the account or public record such as creditors, dates, the amount you owe and, if applicable, your payment history. Unfortu...
Retail Credit, the first significant United States credit reporting agency, opened for business in 1899 in Atlanta, Georgia. Retail Credit would later change its name to Equifax and become a major player in the credit reporting...
Getting into credit card debt can be easy and happens quickly. Getting out of it is another story. The average household carries three and a half credit cards, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Across those cards...
Having late payments on your credit report can negatively affect your credit score. According to the Federal Trade Commission, you can check your credit report free at www.annualcreditreport.com. Payment punctuality makes up ab...
A foreclosure can drop your credit score by 85 to160 points, CNN Money staff writer Les Christie warns. This can mean the difference between getting credit and being rejected. You might even have trouble renting a home because ...
As more and more Americans find themselves increasingly saddled with debt, many people are searching for new ways to legally erase what they owe to creditors. Contrary to what some online scams would have you believe, the only ...
The good news is there are several ways to contact the credit agencies to have inaccuracies removed and cleared. Having inaccuracies on your credit report can affect your ability to get a mortgage or credit card. United States ...
Such debts are called "secured," because they are backed by underlying collateral. Unsecured debts are the opposite. The creditor is making the loan based on your good word, your credit rating, your income and other factors. Be...
Financial missteps like making late payments or missing them altogether will show up on your credit reports. Lenders will see them and may turn down loan applications. They will also lower your credit score, according to major ...
The Federal Trade Commission advises consumers that having too many inquiries on your credit report can negatively impact your credit score. Lenders tend to think that you are desperate to find someone who will approve you for ...
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the legal right to clean mistakes off your credit reports. This can be a powerful a tool for removing negative credit information. U.S. PIRG, a coalition of state public interest r...
You cannot dictate which items are placed on your credit reports by Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. These credit bureaus collect the information from lenders, court records and other sources. However, you do have the power to...
A credit file is used by sources that need to know how you pay your bills, what kind of history you've racked up over the years and how reliable you are handling money. Potential employers as well as banks and other creditors c...
Moody's Investors Service's credit ratings are so important that Japan's financial markets tumbled when Moody's downgraded the Asian nation's credit rating. Moody's has nine credit ratings for long-term financial instruments. Y...
A negative item on your credit report can lower your credit score, cause you to lose out on a loan opportunity, decrease your chances of getting a credit card or raise your interest rates on credit cards and loans. Thanks to th...
As you work on repairing your credit, the bankruptcy will slip further away and eventually have less of an impact on your financial well-being. The up side of bankruptcy is that it gives you an opportunity to start over free of...
Collection accounts are considered negative aspects of a credit report. The Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), the largest credit score compiler, uses your payment record to calculate 35 percent of your score. Collection accounts a...
Collection agencies may use your credit report as leverage to encourage you to make a payment. Collection accounts on your report hurt your score and cause problems when you apply for new accounts. You may be able to remove the...
Credit reports give detailed information about how you use credit and also contain your credit score. This score is simply how the three credit-reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, rank your creditworthiness. I...
Knowing your credit score is the right of every American. The Federal Trade Commission has made it possible for you to receive a free yearly credit report from all three of the major reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax and Tr...
Credit cards can multiply as you receive tempting introductory offers or open new accounts to accommodate more purchases. Suddenly it seems like you've got bills due every week and the balances never go down. You can regain con...
The financial statistic report, "The Nilson Report," estimates that the average American household credit card debt is around $16,000, notes CreditCards.com. When you use your credit card irresponsibly or don't keep track of yo...
