Over Fifty and Overloaded With Debt?
In a recent article for AARP, Lucretia Marmon says older Americans are going deeper in debt!Did you know that 450,000 of them filed for bankruptcy in 2003? This makes older Americans the fastest growing age group in bankruptcy. It seems that a down-turn in economic times and todays easy credit ... more...

Unintended Consequences
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 26, 2003My sister is celebrating her tenth anniversary this summer, and I'm concerned she is letting her relationship go. Her husband refuses to acknowledge any problems and doesn't believe in counseling.At the time my sister married, she was a ... more...

Debt Management Systems
What is a debt management system, and when do you need it? Like any kind of management system, debt help systems can be good or bad. We will take a look at what you can do to manage your debt better. One element is paying off debt, but thats not the only one. It is much more than paying off ... more...

Credit Scoring: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
You've probably heard the term credit scoring. You may have some idea that your credit score can have an effect on your life. For example, you may understand that when you apply for a mortgage, the mortgage company will check out your credit score.But did you know that the interest rate you can get ... more...

How To Stop Junk Faxes From Wasting Your Paper and Toner
Junk faxes waste the resources of every business. It is estimated that they cost businesses tens of millions of dollars a year in wasted paper, toner and fax machine maintenance. There is nothing more aggravating then coming into the office each morning to find a pile of junk faxes promotion ... more...

Why Your Credit Score Matters
Among the many innovations that emerged after World War II, credit use has become a major factor in our entire economic profile. As a result, your credit rating is the most important factor in determining your credit APR when you apply for any type of credit: credit cards, 0% APR transfer offers as ... more...

How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser
Learning how to become a real estate appraiser starts with an introduction to the work itself. Real Estate Appraisers will either work for themselves or are part of a larger company. Many work for lending institutions, including banks and mortgage companies. Appraising property is necessary before ... more...

What is Credit Scoring?
Have you ever wondered what is credit scoring? Credit scoring is a system creditors use to help determine whether or not to give you credit.How does a creditor decide whether or not to grant you credit? Creditors use credit scoring systems to determine if you'd be a good risk for credit cards and ... more...

Assess Your Financial Attitude and Eliminate Your Debt Forever
Want to know if your attitude towards your finances is helping you or damaging your future? Take this Quiz and find out...I consider myself out of debt when:1.I don't owe anyone anything 2.I don't owe anyone, except for a mortgage and a car loan 3.I could pay off my credit card debts at any time ... more...

Can Your Business Survive?
But when you're starting your own business, there's no guarantee that your "mousetrap" is going to survive, especially in today's fast-paced business world.Nearly half of all small businesses fail within the first two years of operation. The number one reason for business failure is inadequate ... more...

Was That House A Good Investment? The Answer May Not Be So Obvious
I am surprised how many people dont know the difference between enterprise value, which is the sales price of a home (debt plus equity), and equity value, which is what is left at the end of the day when you sell your home and pay off the mortgage. In determining whether this was a good investment ... more...

9 Deadly Trading Mistakes!
The following are a list of nine things you want to avoid at all costs. Anyone of them can literally destroy your financial dreams and goals!1. Trading with money you cant afford to lose.One of the greatest obstacles to successful trading is using money that you really cant afford to lose. ... more...

The Business Failed, But Did You?
Q: After years of dreaming about starting my own business, I finally took the plunge a little over a year ago. To say the least, my dream quickly became a nightmare. The business didn't do nearly as well as I had hoped. I ran out of money within six months and had to take out a second mortgage on ... more...

Personal Finance Why You Should Compare, not Despair
Sorting out your personal finances can be a tricky and exasperating time. Whether you are looking to obtain money through a loan, protect your finances with life insurance, medical, travel or car insurance, save some money through an individual savings account (ISA), apply for a credit card or a ... more...

A New Way to Profit From Your Content-Based Website
Its a labor of love. Thats how Ive always described my content-based website. Until the last year or so, what I meant is that my website paid me in love more frequently than it paid in money. And if visitor compliments and good karma paid the mortgage, that would have been fine.I knew I enjoyed ... more...