Consumers have markedly changed the ways in which they carry debts, and this is particularly true of younger people who may have become adults during or immediately following the recent recession. However, even as many have cut their balances significantly during this time, much of what they still carry is largely composed of student loan balances. Between… Read More

Need a CBC blood test? You might pay $16 at one New York lab – or $117 at another. How about an echocardiogram with Doppler? It may run you $250, or over $2000, depending on where you go. One of the biggest frustrations about our current healthcare system is that there is little transparency. Insurance… Read More

Identity thieves may be living large—watching HBO, running the AC nonstop and taking long showers—all on your dime. Learn about utility fraud and how to protect yourself in this Q&A with Brett Montgomery, a fraud operations manager at IDentity Theft 911′s Resolution Center. What is utility fraud and how does it affect consumers? Utility fraud… Read More

“Living debt free” is a nice slogan, and beyond that it’s something we should all aspire to. Unfortunately, some people couple this concept with living credit free. That is a far different story. For most people credit still represents something that happens to us, rather than something we can build, nurture, manage and protect like… Read More

It’s that time of year when college students pack up their dorm rooms and head home for the summer. With their eyes focused on next September, they put together a resume and pound the pavement to find a summer job — ANY summer job. Many of these jobs will be a less-than-enjoyable means to an… Read More

Property values have come roaring back. Many can now refinance their loans by virtue of having additional home equity. And increased property values can also put homeowners in a better financial position to sell their home without entering short sale territory. But the fact remains: Everyone wants to attain maximum value for their real estate and home… Read More

Many consumers are on the lookout for good deals when they go to buy a new car, but last month they likely saw higher car prices for the models they wanted. The average amount consumers paid for new light vehicles rose 0.6 percent on a monthly basis in May, climbing $174 to an average of… Read More

Gasoline is expensive, and it is unlikely to become more affordable in the future. Thankfully, there are many credit cards that offer increased rewards for purchases at the pump. But with so many competing offers, how can cardholders choose the best gas rewards credit card for their needs? Consider these factors: Discounts per dollar or… Read More

Student loan forbearance or deferment are popular options for those who are finding it hard to pay student loans, but borrowers may be making an expensive mistake when they enroll in one of these programs. First, here’s a brief overview of the four main income-based repayment programs. Keep in mind these apply to federal loans,… Read More

When it comes to data breaches, the damage done to consumers whose sensitive personal information is exposed by them can be appreciable. However, these issues have often been difficult to prove in court, leading some plaintiffs to try a different approach in recent months. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services show that since… Read More