Taking a title loan on a motor vehicle will give you some quick cash, but you also will be taking the chance that the lender can repossess the vehicle if you get behind on payments. In fact, when you get your money, you will have to provide the lender an extra set of car keys in case you default on the loan, to make it easy for the lender to repossess the vehicle if necessary. Depending on the situation, there are options that may be better than taking a title… CONTINUE READING
Married people filing for bankruptcy in Ohio have the option of filing with or without their spouse. There are advantages and disadvantages of both options, so deciding whether you should file for bankruptcy alone or together depends on your individual situation and needs. If you do file individually, it must be done in good faith. The bankruptcy court will examine your circumstances, and if it determines that filing on your own was not done in good faith, it may dismiss the case without discharging your debts. If you don’t file… CONTINUE READING
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects debtors from overreaching debt collection practices, such as abuse, deception and late-night phone calls. Still, many creditors and collectors blatantly violate its provisions and find loopholes and new ways to harass debtors. Anyone harassed by collectors should know their rights and what they can do to stop harassment. The skilled and seasoned Ohio bankruptcy attorneys at Fesenmyer Cousino Weinzimmer understand that even the most well-intentioned people can find themselves overwhelmed with debt. We offer a free consultation to evaluate your financial situation and… CONTINUE READING
There are lots of causes of stress out there, but for millennials, financial issues create more stress than politics, work or health. A new study by Wealthsimple, an online investment management firm, found that money problems are twice as stressful as work and several times more stressful than politics. The study showed that nearly half of millennial women find money the most stressful thing in their lives, compared with 34% of millennial men. This stress can be so overwhelming that another study conducted by Payoff showed that the symptoms for… CONTINUE READING
Contrary to what many people think, filing for bankruptcy may be good for you and improve your financial situation. Chances are that if you are considering bankruptcy, your credit is already suffering, and you are probably sick of being harassed by bill collectors and creditors, and faced with possible wage garnishments, evictions, lawsuits, and foreclosures. Not only does all that activity stop with bankruptcy, but bankruptcy can help your credit. Many of your debts will be eliminated, and although there will be an initial setback in your credit rating, after bankruptcy… CONTINUE READING
If you are living on a tight budget, you are probably struggling just to meet your expenses each month and may not even be thinking of putting aside money for savings. You need to change this mindset, as many experts feel that if you wish to retire and still maintain your lifestyle, you should have enough savings to cover 70% of your pre-retirement income each year. Saving enough to retire may seem like an unattainable goal, and if you are not on track to save for retirement, you are not… CONTINUE READING
Having multiple credit cards has become an American way of life, and it’s not necessarily bad – if you can pay off the balance each month. Unfortunately, too many of us use credit cards to keep pace with increased living costs, and since credit cards are one of the most expensive ways to borrow, we wind up unable to pay off our debts. According to the American Bankers Association, 43 percent of card holders carry a balance each month, and the Federal Reserve reports that outstanding card debt hit a record… CONTINUE READING
Your cell phone is a great convenience, but it also provides a dangerous privacy threat that can have a devastating impact on your finances. By setting up a phony cell-phone account in your name, criminals are able to access your bank account, sign up for credit cards and run up huge bills you will be responsible for, or sell the phone number to other criminals. Unfortunately, cell phone fraud is hard to detect, and there are few consumer protections to help. By the time you realize there is a problem, criminals can… CONTINUE READING
When you are feeling financially strapped, it may be tempting to use your credit card to pay your rent or mortgage. Credit cards allow you to postpone coming up with the money for payments, and you can get rewards like cash back or miles for using them. Unfortunately, there are also costs and consequences for credit card use that can get you deeper into financial trouble. People who don’t pay what they owe in a timely fashion or only pay the minimum balance on credit cards wind up in situations… CONTINUE READING
Many credit card users don’t bother to read the fine print of their agreements with credit card providers. Unfortunately, the language in that fine print might result in increased payments for individuals who carry balances on their accounts. In March, the Federal Reserve announced it would increase the fed funds rate from 1.5 percent to 1.75 percent. These rate hikes can make it more expensive to pay off your account balances since, for many credit cards, there is a link between the fed funds rate and the interest rates charged.… CONTINUE READING
Student loan debt is an ever-increasing problem in the United States and has become the second highest consumer debt category, right behind mortgages. Money owed on student loans has reached $1.5 trillion, and the average…
Credit cards are one of the easiest, but most expensive, ways to borrow. People who don’t pay them off in a timely fashion or only pay the minimum balance often wind up in situations with…
Chapter 7 is the most common form of bankruptcy and has certain advantages, but that doesn’t mean it is the best solution for you. Depending on your situation, Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which allows you to…
