Maintaining a good credit score can be a challenge, especially in America – the land where plastic fuels the retail industry. Yes, we all know the temptation to buy that unattainable item. And most of the time, we create our own debt. But what happens when an ex-spouse takes control of your identity and places red marks on your credit report?
According to recent statistics, this is an all too common scenario, and in many cases, an ex steals a spouse’s identity as a way to get revenge. If an ex knows your Social Security Number, he can easily get hold of your identity and obtain credit cards in your name. If your ex-spouse was the secondary card holder on your credit card, it makes theft that much easier. He can buy whatever he wants. And when the bill is due, the credit card company will come after you – the primary card holder.
As a result, your credit score can take a hit. While
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John Garcia October - 24 - 2010
Welcome to Canadian Finance Blog and the Halloween edition of the Carnival of Money Stories! Lots of great personal stories about money this week. There were quite I few good posts submitted that unfortunately were not a money story so I couldn’t include them in the carnival.
Editor’s Picks
PT presents Meeting with a Fee-Only Certified Financial Planner, Part 2: Planning Session and Retirement Recommendations posted at PT Money.
Madison DuPaix presents My Evolving Credit Card Arbitrage Strategies posted at My Dollar Plan.
Crystal presents Our Costs with a Propane Grill posted at Budgeting In the Fun Stuff.
Donna Freedman presents The true and simple rules for house-sitting. pos
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Greg Fowler October - 23 - 2010
It really doesn’t matter if you are ahead or behind in your savings plans, it’s always a good idea to try to save a little more. I know I feel better about myself and my life when I look at my bank account or my credit cards and know that I am winning the battle to save and get rid of my debt. Here are a few easy tips to help you start saving money today.
Examine your priorities and ask yourself if you really need the items you are thinking of buying. Especially those big ticket items. Do you want them because somebody else has them or because you are trying to fill a void or are you just bored? Prioritize and spend your money on things you need and seriously think about things that you want.
Set spending limits and stick to them the best that you can. You have to realize that you can’t always meet your goals but try to come as close as possible.
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Gerald Conrad October - 22 - 2010
Malaysia is on an plan after a new budget was revealed. Is the plan enough to bring this country and its exchange traded fund (ETF) into economic prosperity?
Presenting the budget, the prime minister outlined the challenges the country is facing in terms of attracting foreign direct investment. So the 2011 agenda has a lot to do with expanding the economy, to boost appeal to investors. Jijo Jacob for International Business Times reports that Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also the finance minister, plans to accelerate spending by 2.8% while the deficit is projected to shrink just 0.2% to 5.4% of gross domestic product, down from the current 5.6%. []
It is apparent that focus is that the economic upswing continues and showed once again that the top priority was the implementation of new measures to improve the operating environment for business and lift private sector investment.
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Gerald Conrad October - 21 - 2010
Fixed-income investors are betting on rapidly expanding emerging markets, more notably BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries and their related exchange traded funds (ETFs), over more developed economies that are still struggling with budget deficits and slow growth.
The average cost of contracts protecting debt of BRICs decreased 41.4 basis points more than price of swaps for G7 countries, with swaps trading at a record low last week, report Abigail Moses and Shannon D. Harrington for Bloomberg. A record $40.5 billion, or more than four times the full-year high of $9.7 billion in 2005, has found its way into emerging-market sovereign debt this year.
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Greg Fowler October - 21 - 2010
Although, day trading attracts many beginners due to its lucrative trading period and the amount that one can gain, once he/she understands the details of this trading. Yet one cannot overlook the disadvantages too that a trader is unable to overcome. While carrying on with many deals within a single day or limited period, a trader or especially a beginner forgets where to stop. Since it is not possible for any trader to gain profit on the very first day of trading, except, if you are exceptionally lucky, traders generally end up damaging their risk capital largely.
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Marie Conklin October - 19 - 2010
How 529 plans can help you face those dreaded college bills
The economy is weak. Unemployment is high. And with universities projecting price increases of 10 percent or more per year, just the thought of your child’s future college bills is enough to make your head spin. According to recent articles, the average state college bill is now approaching $40,000 for a four- to five-year degree. And that same $40,000 is about the average for just one year at the top private universities. Ouch!
But don’t send those kids off to bartending school just yet. 529 plans, if you haven’t heard of them, offer some great tax incentives and even ways to collect ‘free money’ to save for your children’s higher education.
What are 529 plans?
A 529 is a state-managed college savings account with benefits – really great benefits. Congress origin
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