Debt
How I Ditched My Debt for Good
If you're in debt, you may have experienced this before: the moment when you get yourself together and finally sit down to tackle your debt you're thinking, “Yes, this is it, I got this!” But then it happens--you're suddenly surrounded by... ➡
"How I Paid Off $16,000 in Student Loans"
When Gina Nykerk paid off her student loans, credit card, and car, it was a major Financial Turning Point for her—and and an inspiration for several friends. When I was 23 years old, I paid off all $16,000 of my student loan debt. I can't tell... ➡
What a Super High Score Gets You
You've got a great credit score. Solid 750-something. Is it worth the effort to push it a little higher?Would we waste your time telling you no?“The difference is a much better rate on everything,” says Linda Ferrari, author of The Big Score:... ➡
Is Your Debt Ratio Healthy?
How do you know if your debt ratio is healthy?Let’s say you’re making a good salary, but you’ve got a big mortgage and car loan. Is there a point at which you’re tipping the scales and being weighed down with too much debt?One way to gauge is by... ➡
When Debt Can Make You Richer
What do the very rich know that the rest of us don’t? That the D-word—that would be debt—can actually be a tool for building wealth.After the financial disasters of the last five years, that may seem counterintuitive, to say the least. But... ➡
Co-Sign at Your Own Risk
Should you co-sign a loan or credit card for a friend or relative? I get this question a lot, especially since the economic downturn has made it harder for people to obtain loans. There are certainly situations where you might be inclined to... ➡
He Has Debt. You Don't. How to Protect Your Marriage
You know that money fights are a leading source of breakups. And these days, many of those clashes are likely to be about debt. So what do you do if your partner has massive law school loans, say, or other outstanding debts—and you don’t?Here's... ➡
My Fiance and I Crunch Our Numbers
Armed with detailed spreadsheets and statements—I recently had the “let’s combine our finances” talk with my new fiancé. Gulp. Despite past conversations about our income levels—I earn more—and some other issues, we’d never really bared our... ➡
