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Know Your Consumer Protection Rights When it Comes to Student Loans 10/30/2018 08:00pm • While many new college undergraduates borrow money to pay for college, not all of their debt comes from federal student loans. In fact, borrowers owed a combined total of $118.17 billion in private student loans in the first quarter of this year, according to a report released by MeasureOne. Th e s In Frederick Co. exec race, an end to 'good ol' boys era' but what comes next? 10/30/2018 04:52pm • The changing demographics of Frederick County are at the heart of the race to lead county government there. In the last two decades, the county has grown more populous, more diverse and more Democratic, setting up a 2018 race for county executive that could be tight between incumbent Democrat Jan Tax tricks and treats: Are you ready for the grim tax reaper? 10/30/2018 06:18am • WASHINGTON — It’s Halloween and the Grim Tax Reaper lurks in the shadows patiently waiting to collect his due! Beware of the 2018 tax rule changes from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) that may bring unexpected tricks to the unprepared. There’s still time before year-end to utilize a f How to Handle Financial Conversations at the Thanksgiving Table 10/29/2018 08:00pm • For Americans, Thanksgiving is coming up very soon, and that often means a day spent with cousins, uncles, aunts, sisters, brothers and in-laws. With such a large mix of people, conversations can sometimes go in uncomfortable directions. One awkward topic that often comes up at family events is mone Everything You Need to Know About Payday Loans 10/29/2018 08:00pm • If you're a little short on cash and need to meet an important expense, a payday loan may seem like a viable option. Be cautious, though. The fees and interest typical of payday loans make them expensive in the best of circumstances. If you're unable to repay the debt quickly, the costs can escalate Can You Buy a Money Order With a Credit Card? 10/29/2018 08:00pm • If you need to make a payment or send money, a money order could be a safer alternative to a personal check or cash. You can typically buy one with cash, a transfer from your bank account or a debit card, and some money order merchants will also accept credit cards as a form of payment. While using Why You Haven't Saved Enough for Retirement: 5 Excuses Financial Planners Hear 10/29/2018 08:00pm • While everyone knows it's important to save for retirement, not everyone heeds that well-worn advice. Data suggests that many Americans have saved little or nothing for their golden years. In fact, Northwestern Mutual's 2018 Planning & Progress Study, which surveyed 2,003 adults, found that 21 p How Piggybacking Credit Can Boost Your Score 10/28/2018 08:00pm • If you're new to credit or want to put credit missteps behind you, there are credit cards available for people with less-than-perfect credit. But they aren't a good choice for all borrowers, as they may have higher interest rates, lower credit limits and fewer perks than cards designed for those wit Don't Get Spooked by Spending in Retirement 10/28/2018 08:00pm • Of all the spooky things haunting retirees, running out of money seems to top the list. In fact, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) fear running out of money in retirement more than death, according to the Generations Ahead Study by Allianz Life. This fear of overspending might be one of the primary dri How Does Checking My Credit Affect My Credit Score? 10/25/2018 08:00pm • Credit and credit scores rely on multiple factors, and it's easy to get confused about which actions do and do not impact your credit. You may feel hesitant to check your credit under the misconception that it can hurt your credit score. But checking your credit does not have a negative impact on yo Tax-Filing Tips for College Students 10/25/2018 08:00pm • Filing taxes as a college student comes with a unique set of challenges. And determining whether and how to file taxes requires taking note of your previous year's employment, wages, tax withholding and parents' tax strategies. You may want to use the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday or winter break f How to Recover From Financial Mistakes Made in Your 20s 10/24/2018 08:00pm • So you made a few financial mistakes right out of college that you're still trying to correct. You finally understand the long-term implications of not paying attention to your credit score and not paying your credit card in full each month. Luckily, it's never too late to fix financial mistakes an How Do Peer-to-Peer Loans Work? The Complete Guide 10/24/2018 08:00pm • When you're looking to borrow money, your first thought may be to head straight to the bank. But you could be overlooking another option -- a peer-to-peer loan. This innovative lending alternative has grown increasingly popular over the last decade. And it may offer you advantages over traditional l 6 Tips to Make Extra Student Loan Payments Correctly 10/23/2018 08:00pm • Students need to figure out how to repay their loans the moment that they choose to borrow money to pay for their education. But that is too often not the case. A Citizens Bank survey found that 74 percent of Americans with student loan debt wish they had done more to minimize the burden of those l 7 Retirement Investments for Stable Returns 10/23/2018 08:00pm • As you transition from a career to full-time retirement, your investments should shift away from volatile growth toward more stable returns. However, investors should not entirely abandon investing for growth in retirement. Those who retire in their 50s or 60s may have decades to live. Stocks shoul