June 10, 2009
Filed under: College, Extracurriculars, Career
Let it be known that in America, personal liberty is not dead yet.
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Filed under: Banks
A few weeks ago, the manager at my bank disappeared, replaced by a perky young woman who has mastered the concept of customer service. When I sidle up to the counter to deposit a check, she knows my name and seems very concerned that I’m getting the banking service I need.
She may be too good, or perhaps I’ve grown to be too accustomed to being ignored and under-appreciated because I’ve found her cheerfulness almost disconcerting. In any case, I can’t help but wonder if she is part of the trend that The New York Times wrote about Monday, in which they noted that banks’ advertisements are turning warmer and cozier.
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Filed under: Borrowing, Debt, Wealth, Recession, Stimulate US, Celebs & Money, Recession Diaries
Having trouble paying off your debt? So is Hillary Clinton. As of April 2008, the Secretary of State has accumulated more than $2 million in campaign debt. All of it is owed to one creditor: Mark Penn, the former senior Clinton strategist who, his critics say, ran a miserly campaign and lost her the presidential nomination.
June 8, 2009
Filed under: College, Credit, Debt
The new credit card rules signed into law recently herald a great deal of positive changes, but one requirement sticks out as an odd addition. The requirement that individuals under 21 need a parent or guardian to co-sign for a credit card has the capacity to leave many otherwise responsible borrowers without the ability to begin building credit.
In theory, this new rule protects young people from making bad credit decisions, and makes it easier for credit card companies to recoup losses associated with young people who default on their credit cards. But in practice it is odd that legislators believe young individuals can join the armed forces and even gamble but not make responsible credit card decisions.
Filed under: Banks
The California Supreme Court ruled that banks can use cash from Social Security checks to cover overdraft fees incurred by their customers.
It seems perfectly logical: When people overdraw their checking accounts, any overdraft fees are paid out of checks that are deposited into the account. Why should Social Security checks be immune when other checks aren’t?
Filed under: College, Credit, Debt
The new credit card rules signed into law recently herald a great deal of positive changes, but one requirement sticks out as an odd addition. The requirement that individuals under 21 need a parent or guardian to co-sign for a credit card has the capacity to leave many otherwise responsible borrowers without the ability to begin building credit.
In theory, this new rule protects young people from making bad credit decisions, and makes it easier for credit card companies to recoup losses associated with young people who default on their credit cards. But in practice it is odd that legislators believe young individuals can join the armed forces and even gamble but not make responsible credit card decisions.
June 4, 2009
Filed under: Budgets, Debt, Retire, Saving, Investing
Not sure how to plan for the future? WalletPop talks with Bryan Link, CEO and co-founder of free online financial planning and advice website SimpliFi.net, about strategies in today’s tough economy. Among some of his recommendations, build up a liquid emergency fund and pay off debt from credit cards and an auto loan before putting money aside for investment.
Schools out, you’ve stowed away your cap and gown and have spent the last months looking for a job, an internship or anything to validate the last four years worth of high-priced education, but the market is as bare as the walls of your old dorm room. With the novelty of meals prepared by mom wearing off and a tough job market all but guaranteed for the rest of 2009, now might be the best time to take the oft talked about time off to backpack through Europe.
While it may seem irresponsible to leave the country in the middle of your job hunt to backpack your way through Europe, it beats crashing on your parent’s couch and may not cost as much as you think. With numerous deals on travel, a favorable exchange rate and an incredible guide for budget spring break travel in Europe put together by Gadling it may actually be the best time to go.
Filed under: Borrowing, Debt, Consumer Complaints
It’s not an honor I’m proud of, but I’m pretty sure that out of the many writers who contribute to WalletPop, payday loans is my beat.
Filed under: College
My first daughter won’t be going to college for another 11 years, and I’m already feeling ill when I wonder how I’m going to pay for it. Not to mention my second daughter, who will be ready for college in 13 years.
So I’m always interested in learning about different ways to pay for college, and one such way that doesn’t seem to be discussed that often is through college payment plans. These aren’t loans but “pay as you go” plans.