Man Writes Check on Toilet Paper
Friday March 28, 2008
An unhappy customer recently tried to pay his water bill (and penalties) by writing a check on toilet paper. He went with a floral print TP, but they still ... Read More
Presidential Candidates: Fix Mortgages
Friday March 28, 2008
The three leading presidential candidates have all presented plans for fixing the mortgage mess. Need to decide who you're voting for? See how they're interpreting the subprime debacle ... Read More
Hospitals Check Your Loan History
Monday March 24, 2008
Your borrowing background is always important to lenders. Now hospitals are also looking into your credit reports before they look into your body. They want to know if ... Read More
Avoid Foreclosure Scams - Video
Friday March 21, 2008
As foreclosure rates skyrocket, scammers are making a killing. A common scam is to pose as a foreclosure rescue outfit. They promise to help you avoid foreclosure, but ... Read More
Mortgage Rates Head Down
Thursday March 20, 2008
Good news for borrowers this week: mortgage rates are ending lower than they were last week. Hopefully this is just the beginning.
Freddie Mac's survey for the week ending ... Read More
IRS Stimulus Payment? Use Direct Deposit
Tuesday March 18, 2008
Direct deposit is always fast. Now the IRS says you'll get your stimulus payment faster if you use direct deposit.
Under the Economic Stimulus Act some taxpayers are eligible to ... Read More
WSJ Podcast: Loans
Sunday March 16, 2008
A recent episode of the Wall Street Journal's Your Money Matters podcast was dedicated to loans. You may enjoy hearing some news about:
Bank losses on home equity loans
Person-to-person lending
Predatory ... Read More
More Liquidity From the Fed
Tuesday March 11, 2008
The Fed took additional steps to help keep money moving today. With the help of several other central banks, they'll make more money available with additional offerings and changes ... Read More
ING Direct Electric Orange Experiment
Monday March 10, 2008
ING Direct's Electric Orange account is a free checking account that pays you interest on your money. While it's nice to get paid on your checking money, there are ... Read More
Social Saving With SmartyPig
Saturday March 8, 2008
SmartyPig is a new service that helps people save for their goals. Want to buy a bike by next summer? You can create a goal at SmartyPig and ... Read More
Be Careful Closing Accounts
Thursday March 6, 2008
You must be present to win.... A reader recently posted how a family member lost out on accrued interest by closing his account at Emigrant Direct. It turns ... Read More
Misunderstood Bank Fees
Tuesday March 4, 2008
Understanding bank fees is a full time job. Tellers often get the story wrong, and the regulators can't even get the straight story.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently did ... Read More