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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 Credit freezes are now free. Here's why you might want one 09/20/2018 10:18am • By Katie Lobosco, CNN (CNN) — Many experts agree that freezing your credit report is the strongest way to protect against identity theft. Starting Friday, you'll be able to do it free of charge. In the wake of a massive data breach last year at Equifax that exposed personal information for abo PHOTOS: For Puerto Rico's poor, hurricane was heavy blow 09/20/2018 12:02am • NARANJITO, Puerto Rico (AP) — After Hurricane Maria hit on Sept. 20, 2017, thousands of Puerto Ricans living below the poverty line were pushed to the brink of despair — struggling for food and housing, diapers and medicine. Gilberto Cosme Rodriguez, 73, gets a $320 monthly pension and spends What Is a Credit-Builder Loan (and Should You Get One)? 09/19/2018 08:00pm • It's an age-old dilemma for would-be borrowers: Creditors want evidence you can handle a loan or unsecured credit card before they give you one, but there's risk in offering credit products to borrowers without a good credit history. That's where credit-builder loans come in. These atypical loans, Don't cut up your credit cards yet -- or sell MasterCard, Visa and AmEx 09/19/2018 10:09am • Paul R. La Monica, CNN (CNN Money) — The demise of the credit card is greatly exaggerated. Yes, companies like Square and PayPal, which owns Venmo, are red hot -- especially with millennials. But the stocks of American Express, Visa and MasterCard have all hit record highs in the past wee 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 What the Proposed Borrower Defense Rules Mean for Student Loans 09/18/2018 08:00pm • The U.S. Department of Education's proposed borrower defense rules may make it tougher for some students to discharge their student loans. If implemented, the new rules will affect student loan borrowers who claim they were defrauded by a college or university. The Obama administration first introd Md. doctor facing bank fraud charges to enter guilty plea 09/18/2018 02:10pm • WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — A Maryland doctor charged with conspiring to commit bank fraud and making false statements on loan applications has agreed to enter a guilty plea. A federal judge on Tuesday scheduled an Oct. 25 change of plea hearing for 46-year-old Zahid Aslam of Elkton, Maryland. A 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 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 4 Ways Automation Can Help Improve Your Finances for Free 09/16/2018 08:00pm • People often think tending to their finances is hard work. But today, a myriad of online tools are here to help. "Automating your finances today is easier than it's ever been," says Peter Lazaroff, co-chief investment officer of investment advisor Plancorp. "Technology has made a huge impact, and I Prepared for storm damage? An insurance expert gives advice on responding to storms 09/16/2018 02:42pm • WASHINGTON — While the D.C. region was spared the brunt of Florence, the storm should serve as a reminder to home and business owners to check their insurance policies to ensure they are properly covered and familiar with how to respond if there is damage. “That notion that 'it won’t happen