Friday’s need-to-know money news

imagesToday’s top story: Why couples should consider keeping some of their finances separate. Also in the news: Ten ways to give your credit score a boost, six ways to save $1000 by the end of the year, and what the financial world could look like in 2019.

Why Couples Shouldn’t Merge All Their Finances
The benefits of financial autonomy.

10Best: Ways to improve your credit score
Easy steps that could give your score a boost.

The 2019 Forecast: Way More Millionaires, Way More Inequality
What will the financial world look like five years from now?

6 ways to save $1,000 by the end of the year
It can be done!

How much should you tip housekeeping? A travel tipping guide
Unraveling the mysteries of tipping while traveling.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

download (1)Today’s top story: How to boost your credit score by rearranging your debt. Also in the news: Why borrowing from your 401(k) is a bad idea, how long you need to keep your tax records, and you still have time to cut this year’s tax bill.

Can Rearranging My Debt Boost My Credit Score?
Playing the credit card shuffle.

Borrowing from 401(k) can cost more than you think
Your monthly retirement income could be reduced by hundreds.

How Long Should I Keep My Tax Records?
This time, being a pack rat can pay off.

You may still be able to cut last year’s tax bill
But you better act fast.

What Twenty-Somethings Need To Know About Retirement And Social Security
The sooner you start saving, the better off you’ll be.

Q&A: Will having no debt affect our FICO score?

Dear Liz: My wife and I have paid off our mortgage, we have no car loans, and we pay our credit card balances completely each month, which means that we basically pay no interest. We have four credit cards that are active and a couple more that are rarely used. My FICO score is currently just above 800. At some point we will need to replace our cars and will need car loans, so our FICO scores will be important. Since we currently have no mortgage, no car loans or any other loans, will our FICO score slowly drop, and will that affect our car loans?

Answer: Paid-off loans typically don’t disappear from your credit reports, at least not immediately. Many lenders continue to report these closed accounts for years, which contributes positively to your scores.

Even if none of these paid obligations show up on your reports, though, your responsible use of credit cards should support your high scores. Just continue to use your cards lightly but regularly and pay off all balances in full.

Since you have time before you plan to replace your cars, consider paying cash for them, or at least making a substantial down payment. It’s typically best to use loans only for assets that appreciate — and cars certainly don’t do that.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How paying your credit cards early and often can protect your credit score. Also in the news: How to save your kids from spending their 20’s in debt, six home renovation mistakes to avoid, and tips on getting the best car loan.

Charge a Lot? Pay Early and Often to Avoid Score Damage
Your score will thank you for it.

5 Ways My Parents Saved Me from Spending My 20s in Debt
How to do the same for your kids.

6 Home Renovation Mistakes That Could Cost You
DIY isn’t always the cheaper route.

5 tips to get the best deal on a car loan
Don’t be afraid to shop around.

Can You Raise Your Credit Score 100 Points in a Month?
That’s a tough one.

Q&A: Repairing your credit score

Dear Liz: After a divorce, I had to start my life over at 62. I got three credit cards. Somehow, I failed to see the online bills for one of them and neglected to pay it. The company didn’t contact me until three months had passed. I got a letter saying the small balance ($130) was forgiven and the card had been canceled. I was shocked. I made several calls but was told nothing could be done. Now one of the credit bureaus has my score at 640. I’m a reliable person and always pay my bills on time. This was a great oversight. Is there anything else I can do?

Answer: Even seemingly small missteps can have outsized effects on your credit scores. Missing even one payment can knock more than 100 points off good scores.

And as you’ve learned, creditors tend not to be sympathetic to the idea that you didn’t pay because you didn’t see the bills. You’re expected to know when your bills are due and pay them. A quick phone call or visit to the credit issuer’s website would have told you what you owed.
Fortunately, you still have the other two cards. Those should help you rehabilitate your credit scores as long as you use them properly and you don’t cause any further damage.

Before another day passes, set up automatic payments for both accounts. You typically can choose to have one of three amounts taken every month from your checking account: the minimum payment, the full balance or a dollar amount that you specify. Ideally, you would choose to pay off the full balance each month, since carrying a balance won’t help your scores and will cause you to pay unnecessary interest.

Mark the dates of the automatic payments on your calendar and set up alerts to make sure that there’s enough money in your checking account on that day.

Use both of your cards lightly but regularly, charging small amounts each month. Don’t use more than about 30% of your available credit — less is better. To rehabilitate your credit scores even faster, consider adding an installment loan to your credit mix, if you don’t already have one. Mortgages, car loans and personal loans are examples of installment loans.

Finally, make sure you don’t fall behind on any other bills or let any account, such as a medical bill, fall into collections. Another black mark would just extend the time it takes to rebuild your scores.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

retirement-savings3Today’s top story: The easy solution to our retirement savings crisis. Also in the news: How to supercharge your retirement savings, how long credit flaws will stay on your report, and why it’s time to start saving for the holidays.

Our Retirement Savings Crisis—and the Easy Solution
A slight bump in savings rates could be a game changer.

6 Tools to Supercharge Retirement Savings
Where to find the aforementioned bump.

How Long Different Credit Flaws Stay on Your Report
Find out how long that late payment will linger.

You Need to Start Saving for Your Holiday Budget Now
The holidays are right around the corner.

Three Money Disruptors Making Your Financial Nightmares Less Scary
Tech disruptors are making our financial lives a bit easier.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: What you should be teaching your kids about retirement. Also in the news: Why there’s more to your credit than just paying your cards, tips on how to prevent financial insomnia, and the long term damage of identity theft.

4 Things to Teach Your Kids About Retirement
Getting on the right path for the future.

You Can Pay Your Credit Cards & Still Wreck Your Credit
Why timing is important.

6 Financial Moves to Prevent Sleepless Nights
You need your rest.

Identity Theft Causes Years Of Financial Damage
How to prevent it.

Personal-Finance Hack Courtesy of Harvard
Without the price of an Ivy League education!

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Introducing the new FICO score. Also in the news: What you need to know before car shopping, the best credit cards for earning rewards, and tips on how to supercharge your savings.

The New FICO Score: Better for Debtors?
Medical collection debt will no longer count against your score.

3 Tricks Car Salesmen Use that Everyone Should Know How to Handle
Don’t be caught off guard while car shopping.

The Best Credit Cards for Earning Rewards
Getting the most bang for your buck.

10 Tips To Supercharge Your Savings
Giving your savings a much needed boost.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

imagesToday’s top story: Why it’s so important to talk to your kids about money. Also in the news: Credit scores versus credit reports when buying a home, scary facts about delinquent debt, and a single parent’s guide to budgeting.

Dear Parents: You Need to Teach Your Kids About Money
One of the most valuable things you’ll ever teach your kids.

Credit Scores vs. Credit Reports
Which is more important when buying a home?

3 Scary Facts About Delinquent Debt and What You Should Do
Ignoring it is a huge mistake.

A Single Parent’s Guide to Budgeting
Making things work for your family.

What it Costs to Retire in 12 Great Places
Where would you like to end up?

Q&A: Bankruptcy and credit reports

Dear Liz: In February 2015, it will be seven years since my bankruptcy. I have worked hard to rebuild my credit, and my credit score is 735. What do I need to do to make sure my bankruptcy drops off at the seven-year mark?

Answer: By federal law, most negative marks must be removed from credit reports after seven years — but bankruptcy is one of the exceptions. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which is the most common, can stay on your reports for up to 10 years from the date you filed. Chapter 13 bankruptcies are typically dropped after seven years. In either case, you shouldn’t need to do anything. Credit bureaus should delete the information automatically. If they don’t, contact the bureaus and request the deletion, but that usually isn’t necessary.

If you have to live with bankruptcy on your reports for a few more years, you shouldn’t be discouraged. It seems you’ve done a good job rebuilding your credit, and your scores should continue to rise as long as you handle credit responsibly.