Help The Middle ClassNews and Information For The Heart Of America
YOUR THE BOSS: Six Ways to Deal With Small-Business Stress – You’re the Boss Blog
Even though there are signs that the economy may be starting to turn around, this has been and continues to be a stressful year for most business owners. I often think stress should be spelled $tre$$. I cannot think of many jobs that pay a good amount of money that don’t also offer a good [...]
Democrats Want Credit Card Reform Effective Sooner
Credit card issuers’ recent actions prove that lawmakers should move up the effective date of new restrictions on card interest rates and fees, U.S. Representative Barney Frank said on Thursday.
Financial companies have taken advantage of a delayed implementation of credit card reforms by raising customers’ rates, Frank said.
“This is not the type of protection that [...]
Bank Of America Pledges Halt On Credit Card Rate Hikes For Most Cardholders
Bank of America Corp. on Tuesday pledged not to hike credit card interest rates or fees before a new law intended to reform industry practices takes effect in February.
Since most Bank of America customers have variable rate cards, however, they could still see their interest rates go up. The interest on variable-rate cards is tied [...]
Credit Card Companies Race To Sign Up Students Before Laws Change
As college students across the country headed back to campus last month for the new school year, so did the credit card companies. And they’re pounding the pavement.
The companies are scrambling to sign up young people for credit cards in a last-minute effort to beat the new credit card law that takes effect in February. [...]
Take Advantage of the New Credit Card Rewards – Yahoo! News
Credit card rewards programs have traditionally featured airline miles, gift certificates, and cash back for customers who spend enough on their cards to rack up points. But recently, credit card companies have started offering a different kind of gift: They’re handing out lower interest rates, refunding interest payments, and using other strategies to provide incentives [...]
Don’t Cancel That Create Card! Closing Accounts Can Damage Your Credit Rating
Unless your idea of “streamlined” finances is having eight credit cards in your wallet (that’s about how many the average card-carrying U.S. citizen hauls around), you’ve probably considered canceling some of credit cards you don’t use often.
Before you dash off “Dear John” letters to your lenders, first make sure you’re not doing more harm than [...]
FIGHTING YOUR WAY OUT OF DEBT: How One Family Did It
Meet the Hildebrandts; their frugal ways lost debt, won an award
Five years ago, the Hildebrandt family of New Richmond, Wis., was juggling more than $100,000 in credit card and personal debt. Through frugality, determination and hard work, they are now — other than a mortgage — debt-free.
At the time, Russell and Kandy Hildebrandts’ credit card [...]
Clean Up Your Credit and Save $100,000
What if I told you there’s a potential $100,000 smackaroos in it for you for just sticking with me for another three minutes?
Here’s how: Clean up your credit score.
Seriously, I’m not going to harp on about how stellar credit means paying less interest on loans, qualifying for lower insurance premiums, and sailing through things like [...]
Gov’t Helps Keep Loans Cheap — If You Can Get One
It’s a good time to borrow money for a home, car or small business.
A year after a global freeze in the credit markets prompted massive government intervention to prevent the financial system from collapsing, interest rates remain at historic lows. But banks are demanding more collateral, bigger down payments and detailed financial histories from borrowers.
And [...]
Consumers Cut Back on Plastic, As Banks Increase Rates And Penalties
Consumers have embraced the virtue of living within their means, but not always by choice. Banks have tightened credit, raised interest rates and fees on credit cards and increased bank fees to record levels.
The changes have angered millions of consumers, who have responded by paring back their use of credit. In the past week, for [...]
