Hawkeye Financial Group, an Oregon debt collection agency, was recently shut down by state authorities for violating Oregon law and fined $13,400 in civil penalties, (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

The credit crisis and shaky economy are forcing us to change our spending habits. As credit card companies roll back card limits and the majority of us keep watching our wallets, we’re moving away from the days when we just kept racking up more and more credit card debt, charging anything we wanted but didn’t have money for — stainless steel appliances, high-definition plasma TVs, new wardrobes, four-star vacations — and going back to actually saving up for our purchases and sticking to things we can afford.

Now, with Christmas just two months away and most of staring at limited holiday budgets, some retailers are offering us a budget-friendly, no-debt alternative to credit cards for our holiday shopping. (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

A CreditCards.com poll has found that eight out of 10 Americans are reluctant to talk openly about their level of credit card debt with someone they just met (“Poll: Credit Card Debt the New Taboo Topic,” July 8, 2008). More surveyed adults are uncomfortable with the idea of discussing their credit card debt than any other topic, including their love life, salary, religious views, (more…)

Popularity: 100% [?]

A new report, issued by the research firm Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, predicts that as the fallout from the credit crunch continues, consumers will be increasingly likely to default on their credit cards, forcing banks to write off nearly $100 billion in credit card debt over the next year (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

Even if you’ve done your own financial planning for years, in this current period of financial instability, as investments and retirement funds tank and the stock market swings wildly from one day to the next, you may want to consider the help of a professional financial planner.

Here, from The Sacramento Bee, are five pointers to help you (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

A recent monthly performance report issued by discount mega-retailer Target is showing that, in the ongoing economic downturn, more of the company’s customers have stopped making the monthly payments on their Target-branded credit cards. Not just that, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune, but those customers who are making payments are paying smaller amounts (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

In a troubled economy, as college tuition continues to rise while the sinking stock market wipes out years of investment gains, it can be more important than ever for you to find more ways to save for your child’s college education — especially when current studies show that parents are woefully unprepared to handle the costs of college. A recent survey conducted by major investment firm Fidelity Investments — its second annual College Savings Indicator — revealed that parents today are projected to meet just 21 percent of their child’s total college costs.

But put money into a dedicated college savings account while your kids are still young, and you could accumulate tens of thousands of dollars in nontaxable college funds (more…)

Popularity: 7% [?]

Three out-of-state debt relief companies that were providing credit counseling services to consumers in Idaho without a state license have agreed to refund their former Idaho customers almost $400,000 (more…)

Popularity: 3% [?]

As a growing number of cash-strapped consumers fall behind on their monthly credit card payments, credit card issuers are abruptly lowering credit limits on many customers’ cards, in some cases by more than 50 percent.

The consumers currently most at risk of getting their credit limits cut, reports The New York Times, are those who (more…)

Popularity: 15% [?]

In the midst of a global financial and solvency crisis that’s left U.S. banks largely unwilling to extend loans or credit to many individuals, small businesses, or even other banks, 62 percent of credit card companies are reducing their customers’ credit card limits, often suddenly and without notice, (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]