One of the nation’s largest title loan firms was fined $9 million for misleading consumers about their cost of borrowing, federal regulators said Monday. TMX Finance, the parent company of TitleMax, allegedly tricked borrowers into taking out longer-term, more expensive loans, and also used illegal debt collection tactics, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.... Read More

Building good credit can be annoyingly tedious in that it can take years to get right — and it only takes one wrong move to destroy. Other than doing everything you can to avoid a huge blow to your credit, like a late payment or debt collection account, the best way to build a good... Read More

Yes, there’s such a thing as phantom debt collectors. And, yes, you can get contacted about a payday loan debt you simply don’t owe. Just ask intrepid consumer reporter Bob Sullivan, who received his very own debt collection note after simply reaching out to a payday loan company (and alleged phantom debt collector) for a story.... Read More

If you’re ready to make a big commitment to your partner, you may be considering doing so with a shiny ring in hand. While this is exciting, there’s a lot to consider. Ideally, you’ve been thinking about this for a while and have set aside some funds so you can pay for the ring in... Read More

If you’ve ever wanted to make a little extra money on the side by listing your sofa, spare bedroom, guest house or even whole house on a service like Airbnb, you’ve probably wondered just how much money you could make. After all, there are all those stories of people paying their monthly mortgage payments or... Read More

Moving to a new home can be very stressful and also exciting. This may be your first time on your own without financial support. You want to ensure you are financially prepared and ready for the big step, so here are a few money tips to help you get started. 1. Build Your Credit Before... Read More

Federal Housing Administration loans and conventional loans remain the most popular financing types for today’s mortgage borrowers. But which program makes the most financial sense for you? Here’s how to decide. The Nuts & Bolts of FHA Loans FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. The program contains two forms of mortgage insurance;... Read More

For people with a warm spot in their hearts for their pets, it’s easy to see how costs can soar: When your pet needs care or gets sick, there’s nothing you want more than to find a cure. Just when you think your finances are in flawlessly logical order, one look at your sick beloved... Read More

Many of us have been there. Just when debt payments seem to storm down on you in an insurmountable way, you receive an offer for a lower interest loan or credit card. Sometimes the offer comes with 0% interest for a certain period of time. Sometimes, the line of credit extended is enormous. At least... Read More

When you start repaying a student loan, it’s a bit of a buzzkill to see a large chunk of money come out of your bank account. Month after month, you kiss that $350 goodbye (or whatever your regular payment is), trying not to think about everything else you could’ve used it for. Eventually, you get... Read More