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A Homebuyer's Guide to Federal Policy on Mortgage Lending 12/09/2015 07:00pm • Buying a home can get intense, and you can easily feel intimidated by the lending process and closing requirements. Federal policies affecting mortgage lending has seen many changes in the wake of the subprime mortgage crisis that began in 2007, putting a stronger focus on eliminating predatory le What will cost you more in 2016? 12/09/2015 07:00am • Planning to buy a new car or kitchen appliance in 2016? Be prepared to open your wallet a little wider, as these are just two of the items that are expected to cost more next year. However, it's not all bad news. The Consumer Price Index showed modest increases overall for 2015 and even decreasing p Why Payment Protection Insurance Is a Growing Necessity for Investors 12/08/2015 07:00pm • Nobody questions the need for health or auto insurance, where the chances of a costly mishap can be relatively high. Few question the need for homeowners insurance. Life and mortgage insurance have significant utility for anyone with a family or a mortgage. Virtually every carrier presents these p Pursue a Federal Student Loan Discharge as a Victim of College Fraud 12/08/2015 07:00pm • Last week, the Department of Education announced significant progress in its evaluation of claims that some federal student loan borrowers have made against the now - closed Corinthian College. The journey for former Corinthian students has been a long one, and one that still has a long way to go 7 Questions Families Should Discuss When Choosing Colleges 12/08/2015 07:00pm • The college admissions cycle is a long process with a lot of moving parts. In the midst of all of the upcoming deadlines, parents and students may overlook some of the ways that college will affect the family dynamic. Discussing expectations beforehand can help students choose the best school for t 50 Ways to Improve Your Finances in 2016 12/08/2015 07:00pm • New year, new youAre you ready to make some big changes in 2016? We pulled together our top stories from 2015 to help you get on the right financial track as you ring in the new year. From smarter saving to savvier spending, these tips will help you prioritize your money management tasks and reach y 7 Things to Consider Before Getting a Balance Transfer Credit Card 12/08/2015 07:00pm • Credit cards allowing balance transfers can often save you a great deal of money in interest. However, if you're not careful, they can also end up costing you a great deal of money. If you are debating whether or not you should transfer a balance from another credit card or loan, it's important to c 6 Things to Consider Before Paying Off a Mortgage Early 12/02/2015 07:00pm • Living debt-free sounds great, and depending on where you are in life it may actually be attainable. But even if you can pay off your mortgage early, should you? Although it may be tempting, first consider the opportunity cost of paying off your mortgage early at the expense of other goals or inve The Perils of Skipping Loan Payments This Holiday Season 12/02/2015 07:00pm • The holidays are fast approaching and that means there are presents to buy, trees to trim and merriment to be made, all of which will cost you money. Fortunately, your credit union, bank or credit card issuer may be willing to let you skip your monthly payment in December or January. "Skip-a-pay a How to Stay the Course When Others are Panicking 12/01/2015 07:00pm • Not a day goes by without someone suggesting that I sell my investments because of a potential doomsday scenario. Yet, I always respond that the best move I could make is to just stay the course. Standing by and doing nothing is perhaps one of the most crucial concepts for good long-term returns. What to Do If You're a Delinquent Student Loan Borrower 12/01/2015 07:00pm • Last week, the New York Federal Reserve issued its Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit and the news was not what the Student Loan Ranger had hoped. Despite an increase in the use and awareness of options such as the income-driven repayment plans, 11.6 percent of student loan borrowers h Does It Make Sense to Buy a Home If You Have Significant Student Loan Debt? 11/30/2015 07:00pm • Everything is going according to plan. You went to college. You landed a good job. You met someone and are planning a marriage. You're thinking a house is in the near future. But it's probably around now that you're starting to wonder if you're crazy, or if you're taking on too much debt. After al How to Buy a Retirement Home With a Reverse Mortgage 11/29/2015 07:00pm • Many older people know about using a reverse mortgage to tap their home equity and use the money to stay in a longtime home. But it's also possible to use a reverse mortgage to buy a home. This can be helpful to people who want to relocate and can't afford mortgage payments in retirement or are una 10 Ways to Repair Your Retirement Finances 11/29/2015 07:00pm • Fast fixesIf you're approaching the year you want to retire but don't have enough money in the bank to live the lifestyle you want, it's not too late to improve your retirement prospects. Here's how you can fix your retirement finances at the last minute.DownsizeYour family home is likely more space Understand the Many Facets of the Student Loan Process 11/24/2015 07:00pm • With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many of us will soon have large get-togethers with family and friends to celebrate. These gatherings have the Student Loan Ranger picturing the "extended family" of a student loan. You'd need a big table to seat them all. It's always awkward to make small