Many Millennials, who graduated during a time of job scarcity and enormous student debt, can be forgiven for being a little skittish about financial matters. After all, in addition to their own challenges, many saw their parents’ generation struggle with layoffs, stock market losses, and the housing crisis. Still, there’s a lot that today’s 20-30 somethings (in fact anyone in their early earning years) can do to build a brighter financial future.
Credit cards are a valuable financial tool for both individuals and businesses, but they come at a price. You get purchasing power on the spot, and the creditor only requires you to pay off a small amount of the total every month, i.e., the minimum amount due. However, it’s important to remember that the minimum is calculated in the best interest of the creditor, which puts you at a disadvantage.
It’s a question few want to hear: “Will you co-sign for me?” A request like this coming from relatives or friends, especially with no or low credit scores, can be difficult to respond to. Most people do not want to ignore a family member or friend in need, but co-signing comes with risks that make many nervous – justifiably – to sign on the dotted line. So, should you do it? There are many factors to consider before making a decision.
When you’re at the cash register, it is almost inevitable that a real or virtual salesperson will make a pitch to sign you up for a store credit card. It is easy to be tempted by the one-time discount offered. But, before you get one, it is a good idea to consider the following factors.
The five Cs of credit is a system used by lenders to gauge the creditworthiness of potential borrowers. The system weighs five characteristics of the borrower and conditions of the loan, attempting to estimate the chance of default and, consequently, the risk of a financial loss for the lender.
If overwhelming debt is causing you stress, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from anxiety and depression because of difficulty with their financial obligations.
