7 million people in the US are late with car payments. That is a record number of people who are 90 days behind or more on their auto loans. Most people having trouble with car payments have low credit scores and are under age 30. This indicates that many people are having trouble paying bills  … Read More

Scams targeting grandparents steal an average of $9,000.00 in cash from people age 70 and older. Avoid these scams by never acting right away even if you are told a dramatic story. Call the family member or friend even if the voice on the phone warns not to. Use a phone number that you know  … Read More

Divorces are emotional and many times the emotions can overshadow the financial implications of a divorce. Both parties can be at risk when deciding to divorce. Be prepared for how the divorce will affect your most basic finances. Some financial changes you may need to prepare for are as simple as the cost of cell  … Read More

There are many “DIY” options available online and in office supply stores for those that want to draft a will without seeking the assistance of an attorney. However, it is important to know that using that option also comes with the risk of commonly made mistakes that can affect how your final wishes are carried  … Read More

Social media has made it easier for everyone to know what you are doing on a daily basis, including spouses during a divorce.  Be mindful of your posts and consider how it could affect your outcome, especially in matters that involve children and custody.  Reconsider the “check-in” option with many sites and apps if you  … Read More

There are essential money numbers everyone should know, to give you a great picture of your financial health, and help you understand your finances. Net worth: Add up the value of everything you own and subtract everything you owe. Assets minus liabilities. Home equity: The current value of your home minus the balance on your  … Read More

Get a free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. You can get one free credit report from each of the three major credit reports, once a year. You do not have to pay for a credit report. Make sure to check all three credit reports for any mistakes. The three reports may contain different information. When disputing  … Read More

Thieves are increasingly stealing children’s Social Security numbers and using them to create phony identities under which they take out loans or credit cards. In 2017 the Federal Trade Commission received 14,000 complaints of identity theft targeting people age 19 and younger. The fraud can go unnoticed for years unless parents check their children’s credit  … Read More

Always read the fine print. Low-interest rates may not be as low as advertised when the ad says “as low as”. The consumer may be charged the higher rate. Cards labeled as gold or platinum are designed to make the consumer believe they have more value. That is not always true- don’t choose a card  … Read More

The government has begun mailing to participants new Medicare cards with individual identifying numbers and without Social Security numbers. These cards are free. Beware of scammers posing as Medicare representatives who have been calling and emailing seniors to try to get them to pay a processing fee for the cards. Other scammers are saying beneficiaries  … Read More