Search

How to Manage Old, Unpaid Student Loans 09/25/2018 08:00pm • Older borrowers owe a larger amount of student loan debt than they did a decade ago. In fact, nearly 40 percent of federal student loan borrowers age 65 and older are in default, according to a 2017 report released by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. While a statute of limitations exists fo When Is a Cash-Out Refinance Loan a Good Idea? 09/25/2018 08:00pm • In a cash-out refinance mortgage, you take a loan against your home in excess of what you owe, leaving you with cash available to spend. Adding to the debt against your home could be a smart move if the cash is used for the right purpose. Using it for the wrong purpose, however, could lead to finan How the National Debt Affects You 09/25/2018 08:00pm • The national debt may seem as far removed from your investments as your parents' debt is from your bank account. But, like your parents' debt, if the federal government's budget deficit grows too large, it will impact your daily life and investments in a painful way. "The economy is not going to imp Don't Run Out of Money in Retirement 09/25/2018 08:00pm • Running out of money is one of the biggest fears people have after they retire. But there are lots of ways to prevent outliving your savings and put your mind at ease in the process. Here are seven suggestions to help you finance the rest of your life. Withdraw a modest amount from savings each yea How many people are going out of their way to avoid DC area's tolls? 09/25/2018 04:10pm • WASHINGTON — With more telework, more construction and more people seeking alternatives, the number of drivers using some toll roads in the D.C. area is leveling off or declining. On the Dulles Greenway, the number of average workday trips dropped about 6 percent in the first half of this year, 3 Dividend Stocks to Buy in October 09/24/2018 08:00pm • Many income investors -- perhaps the person in the cubicle or coffee shop booth next to you -- will soon do an unwitting imitation of Linus, the "Peanuts" character who waits in vain for the Great Pumpkin to deliver the goodies come October. But who says you're too old to trick or treat, as in using The Pros and Cons of Online Banking in Retirement 09/24/2018 08:00pm • More Americans are accessing their bank accounts online instead of visiting brick-and-mortar locations. So, it makes sense that consumers are increasingly looking into online-only banks. It's possible to conduct most banking needs entirely online, and some online banks offer better perks than tradit The Pros and Cons of Identity Monitoring Services 09/24/2018 08:00pm • If you're concerned about becoming the victim of identity theft or another form of financial fraud, you may be wondering whether you should invest in an identity monitoring service. By signing up for ID theft protection, you can receive alerts if a hacker makes a credit inquiry, sets up a new accou 10 Universities That Charge Out-of-State Students the Least 09/24/2018 08:00pm • The U.S. News Short List, separate from our overall rankings, is a regular series that magnifies individual data points in hopes of providing students and parents a way to find which undergraduate or graduate programs excel or have room to grow in specific areas. Be sure to explore The Short List: The Difference Between Hard and Soft Credit Inquiries 09/24/2018 08:00pm • When we talk about credit scores, inquiries almost feel like an afterthought. Inquiries, or new credit, only contribute about 10 percent to your FICO score, so it's easy to assume they aren't a big deal. But you know what? Sometimes it's the little things that ding your score just enough to knock y How to Keep Your Child's Credit Safe 09/23/2018 08:00pm • You probably know how important it is to protect your credit from fraud, but as a parent, you might not realize that your child's credit is up for grabs by identity thieves, too. Javelin Strategy & Research estimated that more than 1 million children were the victim of identity fraud in 2017, w How Does a Short Sale Work? 09/23/2018 08:00pm • If a divorce, job transfer, job loss or other major life event leaves you unable to keep up with mortgage payments, you may face foreclosure or short sale. A short sale can offer much-needed financial relief, but negatively affects your credit history and ability to buy another home in the near futu Should You Ever Pay Your Taxes With a Credit Card? 09/20/2018 08:00pm • Whether you save your credit card for emergencies only or consider yourself an expert in racking up rewards, you know that using your credit card responsibly is key to keeping your finances in good shape. So when tax time comes around, the thought of charging your tax bill to a credit card might see 10 unexpected debt traps — and how to avoid them 09/20/2018 08:00pm • In theory, staying out of debt seems like a straightforward process: By not spending more than you can afford, you'll be debt-free. However, as millions of Americans with debt can attest, it can be more complicated than that. Common attitudes toward money-management and spending can make it easy to Everything You Need to Know About Credit Counselors 09/20/2018 08:00pm • If budgeting troubles or financial curveballs such as medical issues, divorce and major home repairs have left you struggling with debt, you may need help getting back in the black. A credit counselor can work with you to set up a budget and payment plan to resolve outstanding debts and plan for a b