Category Archives: Debt
Is Credit Card Churning Ever A Good Idea?
Almost everyone uses credit cards these days. Those smug folks who claim that they have stayed out of financial trouble ever since they cut up their credit cards years ago are also missing out on Netflix subscriptions, airline tickets, Uber Eats, and all kinds of other fun stuff that it is virtually impossible to… Read More »
When It Comes To Federal Student Loans, Florida Is A Low-Debt State
professional job and the financial security that comes with it. The promises of college as the path to a middle-class lifestyle ring increasingly empty. Many first-generation college students are in a worse financial position than their parents, due to the skyrocketing cost of tuition and the labyrinthine student loan repayment system. Many former students… Read More »
Medical Debt In Florida Is As Bad As You Think It Is
No matter how cautious you are with money, one accidental injury or serious but temporary illness can throw your finances into disarray. Unpaid medical bills represent a substantial portion of Americans’ debt burdens, especially in the income brackets where qualifying for a home mortgage or even most car loans is beyond most people’s reach. … Read More »
Good Riddance To Overdraft Fees
Anyone who has ever lived paycheck to paycheck has probably lamented that, unless you are wealthy enough to carry a hefty bank account balance at all times, banks charge you fees to use your own money. It is just one of the many obstacles to getting out of debt. Overdraft fees have been a… Read More »
What Could Go Wrong With An 84-Month Car Loan With No Minimum Credit Score Requirement?
People who are struggling with debt and living paycheck to paycheck often seek out loans with the lowest possible monthly payments. This only makes sense, because it reduces your chances of defaulting on the loan in any given month. The lower the monthly payment, though, the longer the term of the loan. Choosing the… Read More »
The No Surprises Act Offers Hope To Patients With And Without Health Insurance
“Don’t get sick” is the most cynical piece of personal finance advice but also the wisest. Medical debt has ruined more Americans’ finances than any other kind of debt. Even the most financially cautious people, the ones who would never enroll at a university that cost more than their scholarships and savings would pay… Read More »
Mistakes To Avoid When Dealing With Collection Agencies
Phone conversations with collection agencies are among the most unpleasant types of human interaction. Family law courts sometimes order divorced parents who cannot talk to each other without fighting to communicate through apps like Our Family Wizard instead of talking to each other face to face or by phone. If only there were a… Read More »
How To Stop Debt From Ruining Your Mental Health
The percentage of professional economists who plan to continue working beyond their 70th birthdays is much higher than the total percentage of total workers who do not plan to retire before age 70. Ask these economists why they are delaying indefinitely, and they will tell you that it is because their work is so… Read More »
Going To The Emergency Room Just Got More Expensive For Insured Patients
When you are sick, should you go to the emergency room or wait until Monday morning, when doctors’ offices reopen? On the one hand, some common and non-specific symptoms can be signs of life-threatening conditions where prompt medical treatment is your only hope for survival. Is it just a stomach ache or appendicitis? A… Read More »
The Biggest Source Of Consumer Debt Is Not The Consumers’ Fault
It is tempting to blame people who are struggling with consumer debt to blame the problem on individual borrowers; perhaps it is human nature to be attracted to Schadenfreude. When someone tells you that their divorce ruined their finances, your inner grouch says, “That’s what you get for marrying a gold digger.” When someone… Read More »