Teens are experts at spending money, but far fewer apparently know how to manage it. Blame it on their parents. According to a survey by Charles Schwab & Co., most parents admit they could do a better job teaching their kids about money management. Only a third have taught their teens how to balance a […]

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Getting a credit card is a major rite of passage. But many parents wonder whether their teens are ready for the very adult rights and responsibilities that come with the card.
There are significant pros and cons to consider, from safety and convenience to the potential to create long-term credit problems. Just don’t think too long. […]

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Most consumers realize they give up many privacy rights when they enter the workplace. But fewer know how much even prospective employers have a right to know. A 56-year-old New York City woman is troubled by that news because she filed for bankruptcy about six years ago.
“I have been experiencing great difficulty getting hired. My […]

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If you want a free credit report, you have to go to the right Web site or call the right phone number. You are entitled to a free credit report every 12 months from each credit-reporting agency. But be careful. If you go to the wrong Web site or call the wrong number, it will […]

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TrueCredit.com estimates nearly one in six potential employers are using pre-employment credit reports as part of the applicant screening process. So in addition to polishing resumes and portfolios, job seekers should also review their credit.

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Lenders are approving fewer applications for new credit and reconsidering the terms of existing cards. They may decrease a person’s credit limit because of a drop in a credit score, a late payment or a balance too close to the limit.

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Too many of us love our credit cards so much we’re afraid to leave them. Maybe that’s why card issuers feel justified raising rates, increasing fees and ignoring pleas for a little leniency when a payment arrives a day late.
To get the best deal, you have to be willing to ask for what you want […]

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Many consumers dream of being debt-free. Other consumers want just the opposite: After years of always paying cash, they want an opportunity to say, “Charge it.”
As one woman explained, “I’m planning to be married. My future husband and I want to buy a house and perhaps a new car. I have a great credit background […]

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The charges you’re eager to pay off are the ones your credit card company wants you to keep. That’s why it generally doesn’t matter how you ask the company to apply your monthly payment.
Most credit card agreements give the card company the right to apply your payments to the lower-interest portion of your bill–and keep […]

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Sometimes we don’t realize how smart our parents are until we grow older. At least that’s the case for one woman, who admits she’s in a “bad financial situation.”
“I stupidly did not listen to my parents’ advice about saving money and avoiding debt,” she said. Now she’s more than willing to listen. “Can you […]

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