How can you balance saving with the asset limits on federal and state benefits?
“How can you help people who are going to get bumped off their subsidized food and housing because they have assets? Then the federal and state agencies say ‘Hey, all is well now.” They may be making more, but not enough yet to sustain themselves, landing them right back in poverty. I’ve seen this happen…
Read MoreMyRA savings accounts are being discontinued. What should I do?
“I enrolled and contributed to myRA (Roth IRA) since August 2016. The myRA.gov program is now being shut down. What should I do with my only Roth IRA/ Retirement investment?” Submitted by Brian H. Admittedly, my heart was broken when the announcement about shutting down myRA® retirement program hit the news. It wasn’t perfect, but…
Read MoreWhat can I do when there is an ongoing medical emergency?
What happens when an emergency is ongoing? My husband had a stroke, and a) can no longer work; and b) now has high medical bills. We’re drowning financially, and it is going to be an ongoing issue. Submitted by Amy A. First, we are so sorry your family is going through this difficult time. The…
Read MoreIs there anyone who will work with you one-on-one to get out of debt?
Is there anyone that works one on one to get the person to get out of debt and credit collections? Submitted by Amanda B. Credit “repair” is a hot topic and you are wise to seek out someone reputable to help you sort out the best solution for your situation. The CFPB (Consumer Finance Protection…
Read MoreAre there any legit organizations that help with credit repair?
Are there any legit organizations that help with credit repair?? I’m fearful of paying my money to a company that’s not accredited. Submitted by anonymous. The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) is my trusted source for this topic because they offer tips on selecting a reputable organization as well as some important questions to ask.…
Read MoreWhat apps do you recommend to track your spending habits?
This is the interface of You Need a Budget, one of the budgeting apps I’m trying out currently. What free or low-cost software/apps do you recommend to track your spending habits? There are so many out there to choose from and some are overly complicated and others require too much work. Submitted by Brittany.…
Read MoreWhat is trailing interest and how do I avoid it?
What is “trailing interest”? I just got a credit card bill with interest charged after I paid it off! Submitted by Sasha. When you are using credit cards, timing is everything. The difference between the date you make a credit purchase and the date you pay can have a huge impact on the “cost of…
Read MoreWhy Do Different Companies Show Different Credit Scores?
Why do different companies show different credit scores? Credit Karma showed my score 70 points higher than the banks! Submitted by StillLearning. Ah, the mysteries of credit scores. Let’s get the nuts and bolts down, then we can talk about the best approach to getting the information you need. There are several credit reporting companies…
Read MoreShould I save for my child in a custodial account or a 529 account?
Should I save for my child in a custodial account so he can use that money for whatever he chooses or should I save in a 529 account? Submitted by anonymous. Think about the goal YOU have for your child. What is the point of the savings? A 529 is a good choice for children’s…
Read MoreWhat’s holding me back from getting approved for a credit card?
What’s holding me back from getting approved for a credit card? Submitted by anonymous. There are many reasons that credit card companies deny an application for a credit card. They review your application and your credit history to assess if you have stable income and how likely you are to pay them back (on time).…
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