Filed under: Banking, Failed Products
A billion dollars in unwanted American dollar coins sits in specially-made vaults the size of soccer fields in Texas and Baltimore and other undisclosed locations. They’re heavily guarded — according to NPR’s Planet Money team, even journalists must be watched carefully as they check out the “clear plastic bags piled high on sturdy metal pallets that looked like baby cribs,” 1,000 coins per bag, about 35 pounds a piece.
But why are they just sitting there? A recent example from my own life illustrates the problem.
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Filed under: Debt, Bankruptcy
Filing for bankruptcy can be a complicated and stressful process, and if you make certain bankruptcy blunders, you have a high chance of having your case rejected by the court. So it’s usually in your best interest to work with an experienced bankruptcy attorney who can explain to you the basics about Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Good bankruptcy attorneys can advise you about all the necessary documentation and paperwork you need to support your case, they know local court rules and procedures, and they can answer any critical questions you may have about the process along the way.
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Filed under: Debt, Bankruptcy
Whether you’ve lost your job, are carrying an excessive amount of credit card debt, or have big medical bills and are dealing with mounting debt, you may have considered filing for bankruptcy to get a fresh start with your finances.
A recent FindLaw.com survey revealed that one in eight Americans, or 13% of us, have considered filing for bankruptcy protection. And in 2010 alone, 1.5 million U.S. consumers declared bankruptcy, according to the American Bankruptcy Institute.
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Filed under: Credit, Debt
If your credit reports are riddled with numerous late payments or major black marks – like a recent foreclosure or a fresh bankruptcy filing – it probably comes as no surprise that you’ll have a tougher time getting a loan than someone with perfect credit.
But what about those of you who have decent credit ratings, or maybe even good credit? A solid FICO score alone frequently isn’t enough to get a loan application approved, especially if other items on your application are sending up warning signs to a lender.
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Filed under: Debt, Family Money
Breaking up is always hard to do. But just because your life has been upended by a divorce or separation, it doesn’t mean your finances have to suffer, too.
That’s exactly what can happen, however, if you make any number of wrong moves when you’re unwinding a relationship.
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Filed under: Credit, Debt, Credit Reports
We all know that making late payments or having credit card accounts in collections can hurt your credit scores. But you might be shocked to learn that a lot of other seemingly innocent actions can also negatively impact your credit rating.
Here’s a list of five surprising things that can lower your credit scores — and keep you from having a stellar credit report. (Continue the story…)
Filed under: Debt
Rebuilding your life after bankruptcy – including your credit rating, finances and your emotional well-being – can sometimes seem like an overwhelming task.
But if you’ve recently filed for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection, it’s important to realize that there is life after bankruptcy. And it doesn’t have to be a life where you’re treated like a financial outcast and banished to years of credit exile.
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