Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

images (1)Today’s top story: What you need to know when negotiating with a debt collector. Also in the news: Quick ways to get your finances in order, how you may be unintentionally damaging your credit score, and what you need to know about funeral costs.

3 Things You Need When Negotiating With a Debt Collector
Know your numbers.

4 Quick Ways to Get Your Finances in Order
Start doing your homework.

Are You Unintentionally Damaging Your Credit Score?
Time for some mythbusting.

The Only 2 Things You Need to Remember About Funeral Costs
Don’t be caught off guard during a difficult time.

Is Your Student Loan Servicer Ruining Your Credit?
Know where your loans are.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Four things prospective homebuyers should never say. Also in the the news: Why cable a la cart could end up costing you more, five ways to save on gas this summer, and financially savvy gifts to get the grad in your life off to a good start.

Will unbundling cable save you money
Paying for only the channels you watch could turn out to be more expensive

4 Things Homebuyers Should Never Say
You never want to tip your hand.

5 Ways to Save Money on Gas This Summer
More money for the good stuff.

How to Take Tax Deductions for Bad Debts
Making bad debt slightly more tolerable

Financially Savvy Gifts For New Graduates
Giving a gift for the future.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Could your bad credit score leave you homeless? Also in the news: How your wedding could boost your credit score, the pros and cons of debt consolidation, and how living small could save you big money.

Could a Bad Credit Score Make You Homeless?
Landlords are taking a closer look at potential renters credit scores.

How Smart Wedding Spending can Lift Your Credit
Not going overboard could boost your credit score.

Debt Consolidation: When It Helps, When It Doesn’t
The advantages and disadvantages of consolidating your debt.

Live Small, Save Big: What You Can Learn from Minimalists
How living with less could save you more.

Checkout 51 Saves You Grocery Money Without Clipping Coupons
A new app lets you upload your grocery receipts for instant rebates.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

imagesToday’s top story: Four ways to help teach you kids about finances. Also in the news: The best jobs for the future, how to not let debt collectors ruin your life, and how to save money on the summer’s big music festivals.

4 Analogies That Help Teach Children About Finance
Making a complicated subject easier to understand.

Best jobs for the future
Time for a career change?

Don’t Let Debt Collectors Ruin Your Life
Being in debt is stressful enough.

5 Ways to Attend Summer Music Festivals on the Cheap
More money for t-shirts!

Maximize Your Grocery Budget With the Inverted Pyramid Method
It’s not as complicated as it sounds.

Match.com Babies Can Win a College Scholarship
Yes, you read that correctly.

Q&A: Helping retired parents refinance

Dear Liz: I am trying to help my retired parents refinance their home. Currently they are paying over 8% interest. (This loan should be illegal.) The problem is their credit score, which is around 536. They had a tax lien in 2004 (it has been paid off for over four years) and some minor credit card issues. The total card debt is less than $1,000. I see several bad footnotes on these cards. Some of the cards have a balance of less than $100. What is the best and fastest way to help them get the mortgage they deserve?

Answer: Your parents don’t have a single credit score. They each have their own scores. Mortgage lenders typically get FICO scores for each borrower from all three credit bureaus, for a total of six scores. Lenders look at the middle score for each person and typically base rates and terms on the lower of those two middle scores.

If that number is indeed 536, your parents have serious, recent credit problems. You may not think an unpaid credit card is a big deal, but it is to credit scoring formulas, which are designed to help lenders gauge a borrower’s risk of default. People with unpaid bills are far more likely to default on a new loan than people who pay their bills on time, and their respective credit scores reflect that reality. What people “deserve” isn’t a factor. How they handle their credit accounts is.

What you’re calling “bad footnotes” are likely records of late payments and perhaps charge-offs and collections activity. Those typically can’t be erased, but your parents can stop the ongoing damage to their credit by paying their bills on time and paying off any overdue bills to their credit card companies.

If the accounts have been sold to collectors, the process gets trickier. Paying off collections typically won’t help credit scores, but lenders usually want these accounts paid off before they will make a new loan. Your parents can try negotiating to have the collection accounts deleted in return for payment, but they won’t be able to erase the late payments and other negative marks reported by the original creditor.

Once they start handling their credit accounts responsibly, their credit scores will start to improve. The improvements will happen slowly, though, and they may well miss the opportunity to refinance at today’s low levels.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Identity theft’s youngest targets. Also in the news: Tips to increase your savings and investments, how to cut your summer energy bill this spring, and who inherits your debts after you die.

When Should You Check Your Child’s Credit Report?
Kids aren’t immune to identity theft.

Six Steps To Financial Spring Cleaning For Divorce
Airing out your home and your marriage.

7 tips to increase savings, investments
Advice from the experts.

Do My Debts Pass On to My Kids After Death?
A different type of inheritance.

How to Reduce Your Energy Costs This Summer
Acting now could cut your bill later.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

IRS 1040 Tax Form Being Filled OutToday’s top story: How to choose between increasing your savings or paying down debt. Also in the news: What financial risks Boomers need to consider, how to file your taxes for free, and what recourse you have if a credit report error has hurt your score.

Should You Increase Savings First Or Pay Down Debt?
Making the smart decision.

Financial Risks Boomers Should Consider in Retirement
How to avoid retirement landmines.

Here’s How to File Your Taxes for Free
Save your filing fees.

Can I Sue If a Credit Report Error Hurt My Score?
Examining your options.

Can I Take Advantage of the Student Loan Interest Tax Deduction?
How your loan payments could actually save you money.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

IRS 1040 Tax Form Being Filled OutToday’s top story: Choosing between the standard or itemized tax deduction. Also in the news: Taking steps to a better financial future, money mistakes to avoid during your 20s, and the four letter word that can ruin your credit.

Should You Take the Standard or Itemized Tax Deduction?
While one might be easier, the other could save you more money.

7 Steps To A Better Financial Future
Begin with the end in mind.

Money Mistakes to Avoid in Your 20s
Don’t makes mistakes in your 20s that you’ll be paying for in your 40s and 50s.

The 4-Letter Word That Can Ruin Your Credit
Take a guess.

3 Ill-Advised Reasons Not to Buy Life Insurance
You’re not getting any younger.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s big story: What you can get removed from your credit report. Also in the news: How to tell if your partner is a sound financial match, which Olympic medal would your savings plan win, and why online dating can be hazardous to your wallet.

What Can I Get Removed From My Credit Reports?
Patience is key.

Want To Know If Your Partner Is A Financial Match? Take These 8 Steps
Financial compatibility is crucial in a relationship.

Which Olympic Medal Would Your Savings Habits Win?
Go for the gold!

The Financial Risks of Online Dating
That dreamboat on the screen could actually be a nightmare.

How I went from $50,000 in debt to $50,000 in savings
It can be done!