The Latest Debt & Finance Blog

HELOC on laptop screen

HELOCs on the Rise: Why You Should Be Careful

By Bill Fay | October 18, 2018

Across America, home values are on the rise again, surging with the economy. With that surge, homeowners eager to scratch a pent-up-demand itch once again are taking out HELOCs, or home…

People sitting at computers and tablets looking up personal loans to submit an application

Personal Loans on the Rise

By Bill Fay | October 17, 2018

The loan business is getting personal. We’re talking personal loans, and they are exactly what they sound like. You borrow money from a lending institution and pay it back. The…

loan agreement image

How Payday Loans Work and Lower Cost Alternatives

By Mike Capuzzo | August 8, 2018

You’re a hard-working single mom, and your refrigerator breaks. You don’t have the money to fix it and the Tooth Fairy didn’t leave $1,000 under the pillow for one of…

Women with bad credit going to nonbank to borrow money

Nonbanks Fill Demand from Borrowers with Poor Credit

By Bill Fay | April 25, 2018

The era when almost anyone with a pulse could get a loan or mortgage from a commercial bank ended with the financial meltdown of 2008. Today, tightened regulations and a…

Caution on Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

Confusion Clouds Future of Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

By Bill Fay | April 17, 2018

Here’s a warning for anyone who must borrow money for college. There’s an assault under way on the most cost-effective and popular student-loan repayment programs. Lines are being drawn and…

is it time to refinance your mortgage

Considering Refinancing? Do It NOW!

By Bill Fay | March 15, 2018

Interest rates are going up, so it’s time to seriously consider refinancing your home loan. Or if you want to buy a house, it would be wise to seriously consider doing…

Teacher in Classroom with Students

The Future of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

By Max Fay | March 8, 2018

President Trump’s latest budget proposal to Congress calls, once again, for the elimination of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This is the second time Trump has recommended eliminating…

Woman paying off holiday bills in the living room with a Christmas tree

5 Ways to Pay Off Holiday Debt Faster

By Sarah Brady | February 8, 2018

Long after the holiday season ends, you might be left with more than just happy memories. If you’re like roughly a third of U.S. adults, you go over budget during…

Warning Card Interest Rates Up

Interest Rates Increasing on Credit Cards

By Bill Fay | January 22, 2018

American consumers owe a record $1.023-trillion in revolving credit – mostly through credit-card debt – and with interest rates expected to rise in 2018, financial experts predict the problem will…

Bag of Payday Loan Money Exchanging Hands

Payday Loan Alternative a Good (Or Risky) Thing?

By Bill Fay | January 15, 2018

If you’re one of the millions of Americans for whom payday can’t come soon enough, technology is catching up with your dreams. Uber, McDonald’s and Outback Steakhouse are among a…

Sources:

  1. Trapasso, C. (2018, June 14) Homeowners Are Rushing to Get HELOCs — Should You Do It, Too? Retrieved from https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/homeowners-rushing-get-helocs-might-need-hurry/
  2. Ojha, R. (2018, July 9), HELOC Equity Withdrawals Hit a Low. Retrieved from https://dsnews.com/daily-dose/07-09-2018/heloc-equity-withdrawals-hit-low
  3. Fontinelle, A. (2017, Nov. 14) How a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can hurt you. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/11/helocs-can-hurt-you.asp
  4. Rae, D. (2018, March 16) How Do I Know If My Home Equity Loan Is Tax Deductible? Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrae/2018/03/16/heloc-tax-deduction/#7f9148a94f99
  5. Fontinelle, A. (2018, June 7) 4 smart moves for using home equity. Retrieved from http://www.interest.com/home-equity/news/4-smart-moves-for-using-home-equity/
  6. NA (2018, July 23) HELOC: Understanding Home Equity Lines of Credit. Retrieved from https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/heloc-home-equity-line-of-credit
  7. Hannon, K. (2016, April 13) Cautionary Advice On Getting A Home Equity Line. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2016/04/13/cautionary-advice-on-getting-a-home-equity-line/#2ac4f59166c