3 Personal Finance Software Solutions for the Monetarily Challenged

July 19, 2010 – 6:29 am

Let’s face it. We’re not all financial geniuses. Some of us need help in figuring out budgets and sticking to financial plans. One way to get help is to use financial software that helps you with the mathematics, planning and decision making involved in personal financial planning. By getting familiar with the different types of software out there, you can choose the program that is right for you and your needs.

There was once a burgeoning marketplace for this kind of software. Not that long ago, the Wall Street Journal reported that the major contenders in the personal finance software market were Quicken, Microsoft Money and the less-known iCash. The leading Web-based applications were Mint and Wesabe. Since

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Credit Card Debt and Rewards Programs

July 18, 2010 – 3:57 am

Paying off credit card debt could result in you being bombarded with new credit card offers. Some credit card companies have increased marketing efforts for their cards or introduced new rewards programs or other incentives. Discover Financial Services, for example, recently said marketing expense for the third quarter is going to be at the highest level since the third period of 2008.

Stick with Debt Reduction Plan

Think long and hard before accepting new offers from credit card companies. While it may seem like a good idea to sign up for cash back or other rewards offers, these programs usually come with a price.

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Consolidate Debt to Avoid Costly Debt-Consolidation Disputes

July 17, 2010 – 11:22 pm

Consumers who owe a significant amount of money on their credit cards may think about taking steps to consolidate debt rather than face the calls of a collection agency. At least that seems to be the consensus of officials with the Federal Trade Commission. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the commission is requesting that states change their laws and arbitration rules regarding consumer debt-collection disputes. According to the FTC, the systems in place for handling collection disputes is broken, and weighs far too heavily in favor of creditors, putting too much pressure on debtors.

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Debt Settlement, Consolidation Not One and the Same

July 13, 2010 – 11:43 pm

Consumers often make the mistake of lumping debt settlement and debt consolidation services together. In reality, though, debt settlement and consolidation are two extremely different financial tools. And consumers should know that they each come with their own potential pitfalls and rewards.

Debt Settlement

The purpose of working with a debt settlement company is, not surprisingly, to eliminate debt. Consumers who work with debt consolidation companies, though, have a different goal: They want to consolidate bills. When consumers take out a debt consolidation loan, all of their debts are lumped into one monthly payment.

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