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Preapproved vs. Prequalified: Which Is Best When You're House Hunting? 09/18/2018 08:00pm • Before you can buy a house, you have to know how you'll pay for it. For 88 percent of homebuyers, that means financing the purchase with a loan, according to the National Association of Realtors' 2018 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report. A major part of finding the right lender and know How Do Charge Cards Work? 09/18/2018 08:00pm • Charge cards, like other types of credit cards, can be used to make purchases and may earn rewards. However, unlike other credit cards, they're typically designed to be paid off in full each month, and some don't have a preset spending limit. Cardholders usually don't pay interest charges, since th Do's and Don'ts of Using Store Credit Cards for Holiday Shopping 09/17/2018 08:00pm • With the winter holidays fast approaching, you may be wondering how to maximize savings on gifts with store credit cards. And you may be considering applying for a store-brand credit card to take advantage of generous discounts, exclusive savings and other perks and loyalty rewards as you stock up How to Remove Yourself as a Co-Signer on a Loan 09/17/2018 08:00pm • When a family member or friend asks you to co-sign on a debt, that person isn't requesting a small favor. If you accommodate the request, you'll be putting your cash, credit score and perhaps future access to credit on the line. Even if your friend is responsible when repaying the loan, an unexpect Should You Save or Pay Down Credit Card Debt? 09/17/2018 08:00pm • A recent report from the U.S. Department of Labor showed that employment in some sectors, such as in professional and business services and the health care industry, rose in August 2018. In other good news, it also showed that hourly wages had increased. If you find yourself with a higher-paying jo 18 Schools That Meet Full Financial Need With No Loans 09/17/2018 08:00pm • A few colleges and universities help students avoid crippling debt by offering generous financial aid packages. When it comes to debt, last year's college grads who borrowed student loans took on nearly $30,000 in loans to pay for their education, according to data reported to U.S. News in an annua What Law School Applicants Should Know About LSAT/GPA Calculators 09/16/2018 08:00pm • Welcome to the latest installment of Law Admissions Q&A, a feature that provides law school admissions advice to readers who send in questions and admissions profiles. If you have a question, email us for a chance to be featured next month. This week, I will discuss the reliability of online too How Your Grace Period Can Save You from Credit Card Debt 09/16/2018 08:00pm • Grace periods are one of the most appealing attributes of credit cards. They allow you to buy what you need now and pay it off later , interest free. But if you don't know the specific terms of your card's grace period, you could get stuck with interest charges. What Is a Grace Period? A grace perio How to Bring More Black Men Into Medicine 09/13/2018 08:00pm • Health care in America is not exactly an egalitarian endeavor. Racially-based disparities in health outcomes and access to quality care endure, and in some cases, appear to be worsening. In 2015, the Association of American Medical Colleges released Altering the Course: Black Males in Medicine, a re Can You Get a Credit Card Without a Credit Check? 09/13/2018 08:00pm • If you have bad credit, you may have noticed that it's not easy to get a loan or credit card. Almost every time you apply for credit, the lender runs a hard check on your credit report. A hard credit inquiry can reveal bad credit, which may prevent you from getting approved. To avoid the potential Can You Refinance a Personal Loan? 09/13/2018 08:00pm • Refinancing a personal loan can help you save interest or lower your monthly payment, but it's not always a smart financial move. Before seeking personal loan refinancing, you should consider whether it's a good idea, find out how you can qualify and understand the refinancing process. When It Makes 5 Signs Your Financial Future Is Dire 09/13/2018 08:00pm • If you have a history of making poor spending decisions and repeating common money mistakes, such as racking up debt or neglecting to save for retirement, there's still time to improve your future financial situation. By taking stock of long-term financial goals and saving, earning and budgeting mor Debtor Beware: How to Avoid Shady Credit Counseling Services 09/13/2018 08:00pm • Americans have a debt problem. In fact, total household debt reached a record $13.29 trillion during the second quarter of 2018, according to Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Center for Microeconomic Data. What's more, nearly 10 percent have a debt in collection. Those who are overwhelmed by deb How to Get the Most Generous Financial Aid Package From Your College 09/12/2018 08:00pm • One big consideration in choosing a college, at least for most people, is how brutal a blow the bills will deal to the family finances. By following a smart strategy in applying for financial aid, you may encounter some pleasant surprises -- like an offer from that pricey private college at the top Global Debt Leaves World 'Vulnerable' to Upheaval 09/12/2018 08:00pm • Standing before an auditorium at the University of Hong Kong earlier this year, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde praised what she saw as a "strong upswing that holds the promise of higher incomes and living standards" around the world. But she also warned that the goo