This post is by Reyna Gobel at Wise Bread.If you’re a recent college grad, you’re probably dreading when you have to start repaying your federal student loans as much as if you were going to the dentist to get your wisdom teeth pulled. But student loan repayment is a lot less painful and doesn't … [Read more...] about 5 easier ways to repay federal student loans
Money
The 4 scariest things on your credit report
Think you’re safe from creepy credit? Think again. There may be things lurking on your credit report that you least expected. That’s why it’s so important to check on it at least once a year (it’s free, via annualcreditreport.com), so that you won’t get a spooky surprise. Even better, because there … [Read more...] about The 4 scariest things on your credit report
How to deal with debt collectors
Debt collectors have a way of tracking people down, and sometimes, they track down the wrong people. That's why it's important to know how debt collectors work. No matter what your credit rating, you may get a call one day. When that happens, you need to figure out how to deal with the collector and … [Read more...] about How to deal with debt collectors
Teaching kids about money with allowances
A lot of people are surprised that I run Chicago on the Cheap, because it seems like such a deviation for someone who wrote Hedge Funds For Dummies. However, you can't enter the world of high finance if you don't have money to invest. Here's something interesting I've learned over the years: Just … [Read more...] about Teaching kids about money with allowances
When medical bills go bad: Fixing costly insurance errors
Each year, the American Medical Association issues its health insurer report card, which reports on the costs and efficiency of health care billing. In 2013, they found that commercial health insurers made mistakes on 7.1% of submitted claims and denied coverage on another 1.8%. The numbers have … [Read more...] about When medical bills go bad: Fixing costly insurance errors
In over your head with debt? How to find real help
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Nathan Rabin is a great writer who has published several books about pop culture. Among other things, he is the co-author of Weird Al Yankovic's biography, Weird Al: The Book. He also got himself in a mess of financial trouble that only got worse when he signed up with a … [Read more...] about In over your head with debt? How to find real help
10 ways to wipe out your student loan debt
Beginning July 1, new federal student loans will carry an interest rate of 6.8%, twice the 3.4% rate on loans issued last year. Given that student loans cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, the rate should be close to zero, as the lender has very little risk. But no one is listening to me!Student … [Read more...] about 10 ways to wipe out your student loan debt
What you need to know before buying a home
With interest rates still at an all-time low, many first-time homebuyers are looking to make the leap into home ownership. Choosing a home is the easy part of the process – you’ll also need to deal with contract offers, inspection, securing a mortgage and insurance, and the closing, all of which … [Read more...] about What you need to know before buying a home
5 steps to start saving with an IRA
A key savings goal for many people is retirement. To make it easier to reach that goal, the U.S. tax code offers a lot of advantages for saving through an Individual Retirement Account, sometimes called an Individual Retirement Arrangement, but most commonly known as an IRA.The bad news is that … [Read more...] about 5 steps to start saving with an IRA
Where’s the best place to save your money?
You're "saving" money, but what does that mean? If your frugal living is a means to generating money for retirement, a college fund or a down payment, you need to figure out how to get those savings out of your wallet and into some sort of account.It's a strangely mechanical problem, isn't … [Read more...] about Where’s the best place to save your money?
Prom savings tips from a money-savvy teen
If you have a son or daughter in high school, then you know prom season is upon us. I have two daughters going to prom this year, and they have already started prepping.As soon as they each bought dresses, they posted pictures in the Facebook group that the girls in their school created so no … [Read more...] about Prom savings tips from a money-savvy teen
Jean Chatzky’s top tips for living on the cheap
Chances are you know financial expert Jean Chatzky from her regular Today Show appearances. Starting this month, she'd also like to be known as a teacher: Jean Chatzky's Money School, a series of online courses, will tackle everyday topics ranging from budgeting to a debt diet. Chatzky priced the … [Read more...] about Jean Chatzky’s top tips for living on the cheap
How to open a bank account for your kid
Banks can be fun, or at least one of those tolerable errands, when you're a child. There's all that money everywhere, of course. The nice people behind the counter tend to give you a lollipop. Sometimes you might find a welcoming plate of chocolate-chip cookies in the lobby. You might even score … [Read more...] about How to open a bank account for your kid
3 ways to find truly free checking accounts
A few years ago, a bigger bank took over the bank where my husband and I had kept our checking accounts for more than a decade. Suddenly our free checking had a fee. Not surprisingly we took this change — of ownership and fees — as a reason to find ourselves a new bank.At first, I thought it … [Read more...] about 3 ways to find truly free checking accounts
How to make money working from home
When day care costs overtake your take-home pay, it might be time to think about working from home. No commute means saving gas and wear and tear on your vehicle. You can work in your sweats, so no power suits will show up on your credit-card bill. No child care expenses results in a huge … [Read more...] about How to make money working from home
