personal finance

Taxes And Your Credit Score

Virginia Prescott — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:36:24 +0000

Since its introduction in 1861, “Tax Day” has loomed as a day of inevitable fiscal obligation. As the 15th of April approaches, stresses related to tax filings inevitably ramp up. To some, tax burdens may become too much to shoulder, leading to filings for extensions or an uncomfortable loss of funds. However, yearly tax payments can result in an even more uncomfortable reality – damage to your credit. Here to discuss how Uncle Sam affects your credit score is Gerri Detweiler, credit.com’s personal finance expert.

You Should Keep Tax Records — But How, And For How Long?

Bill Chappell — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 08:02:00 +0000

Tax Day 2012 is looming — and after we file our returns, many of us will try to figure out what to do with the seemingly innocuous but possibly crucial documents we use to prepare our returns. Filing electronically can make those records easier to manage.

New Consumer Agency Eyes Bank Overdraft Fees

Yuki Noguchi — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:01:00 +0000

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says it's looking to overhaul rules on overdraft fees. The new agency will be seeking data from banks about how they handle overdrawn accounts, and how they assess fees.

How Dodd-Frank Regulations Affect You (Trust Us, They Will)

Amanda Loder — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:59:35 +0000

One of the key consequences of the economic collapse a few years ago was the passage of a massive piece of legislation called the "Dodd-Frank Act." The bill was co-sponsored by (now-retired) Democratic Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut and (soon-to-be-retired) Democratic Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank.

Freakonomics Radio: Is a 'No-Lose Lottery' the Answer to America's Savings Problem?

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

In their books, Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner use the tools of economics to explore real-world behavior. As boring as that may sound, what they really do is tell stories — about cheating schoolteachers, self-dealing real-estate agents, and crack-selling mama's boys. Those Freakonomics stories — and plenty of new ones — are now coming to the radio, with Dubner as host.

Banking for the 99%...maybe

Virginia Prescott — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:14:32 +0000

Peer to peer lending is making a comeback...and might soon use some surprising measures of credit-worthiness.

"Slow Money"

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

New Hampshire Grads are First in the Nation - in Debt

Brady Carlson and Amanda Loder — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:58:02 +0000

The phrase “first in the nation” is the shorthand we use for talking about the New Hampshire presidential primary coming before any other.

New Hampshire is first among states in other ways, too. Some are good – like having the lowest rate of child poverty among states. Some are not so good – like having the highest student debt load in America.