Blogs - Page 1

First responders dedicate their lives to protecting our communities, always putting others first. There comes a time when they need our attention and support, though, as first responders can face financial and money challenges while serving others.

From long shifts to emotional stress, these dedicated professionals – including police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics – deserve specialized support in managing their financial well-being. Their hectic days, emotional stress and difficult work conditions can often challenge their finances and how they respond to their financial obligations.

Life happens, and you may be looking to fund a major life event, handle existing debt, or even invest in your future. Thankfully, there are many financial tools available when you need money for something unexpected or to repay your existing debts. If you don’t have money available right now, you can apply for a personal loan or think about getting a debt consolidation loan.

While both these loans have similarities, they aim for different outcomes. Borrowing money in today's economy requires more than simply comparing current interest rates. It requires you to understand how each loan type works, what it's designed to accomplish, and how it fits your financial goals. For example, some borrowers may be looking to fund a dream wedding or a home equity loan renovation, while others may need debt relief from the stress of managing multiple high-interest debts.

Your financial situation, credit history, and financial objectives will dictate which type of loan best fits your needs.

A debt validation letter is a formal document sent by a debt collector — a professional licensed to collect debt — presenting where your debt stands.

This letter is required to be sent under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and serves as proof that the debt collector will assume the legal right to collect a debt and that the amount they are claiming is accurate.

Based on this validation letter, you have the right to dispute the debt if it is wrong or look for debt relief solutions. If the debt collector may try to collect the debt without sufficient proof, attempts to collect the debt can be disputed. If you don’t dispute it, the letter then becomes the starting point for you to assess your financial situation and find ways to deal with debt.

Life can easily get out of hand. Unemployment, an unexpected medical problem, a sudden increase in your cost of living, or family issues can seriously affect your finances. When things get tough, you may not be able to afford to pay all your monthly obligations. When loan installments or bills go unpaid, that is when they go to collections.

Getting in debt is something that many people face because hardships and unexpected life events can happen to anyone — after all, we’re all humans! The goal for people in debt is to stabilize their personal finance and live a debt-free life. When you feel overwhelmed by debt and simply can’t repay it with your existing income, then you can either seek debt relief or file for bankruptcy.

Being on a tight budget does not mean that you have to learn to live with debt. Find out what you can do to reduce and eliminate debt on a tight budget.

The 2020 global pandemic locked up economies and limited the use of cash. As the circumstances forced more people to use plastic, fraudsters found more opportunities to steal identities and commit credit card fraud.

Missing a credit card payment is not the end of the world if you act fast. Learn how to minimize the damage of a missed payment to protect your credit score.

As summer ends, it’s time for back-to-school shopping. Start by defining a budget, and involve your kids in the budgeting and shopping process.

Regardless of your lifestyle, as you go from childhood to adulthood and then grow older, you encounter several milestones that define your life. You may get married, start a family, buy a home, buy a car, start a business, etc. These major life events have one thing in common: they all cost money.