Posts from October 2014
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30
Four Ways to Boost Your Credit Score
A recent Federal Trade Commission study showed that approximately 26 percent of consumers have credit report mistakes that could lead to higher loan and insurance payments. More than a quarter of participants in the study found at least one error on their credit reports, and five percent had errors serious enough to affect loan terms.
"Credit reports play a crucial role in determining consumers' financial discipline and responsibility," said Howard Dvorkin, CPA and Chairman of Debt.com. "Detecting credit report errors allows consumers to correct inaccurate information that could potentially lead to denied loans and high interest rates."
Dvorkin advises that consumers review their credit report and take steps to correct any issues. He recommends:
Correcting errors on credit...
30
10 Tips for Parents on Halloween Night
Halloween is a night filled with candy, costumes, a bit of fear and a lot of fun, but it can also be a dangerous night if you don't take the proper safety precautions. With ghosts, goblins, vampires and zombies roaming the streets, it's important that parents and children review safety protocols before trick-or-treating.
"Halloween is a magical evening where kids get to transform into anything they want to be," said Allstate's Executive Vice President of Product Operations Steve Sorenson. "But it's most important for them to be safe. By following a few basic safety tips, everyone can do their part to make the holiday a memorable occasion for all the right reasons."
Parents should take the following steps to ensure safety.
...
23
FICO 9 Changes Could Impact Credit Score
With the rollout of FICO's updated scoring system slated for the near future, it's important for consumers to continue to practice good credit habits. The Better Business Bureau advises that FICO 9 will result in these three changes, which may impact your credit score.
1. Lack of credit history will be a non-factor. FICO 9's new algorithm assesses loan risk instead of history, eliminating challenges for young adults or those with little to no credit.
2. Medical debts will hold less weight. Incurring debt from a medical circumstance is often unavoidable. Once FICO 9 goes into effect, experts estimate that those with medical debt and an otherwise good credit history will see a 25-point increase in their score.
3. Collected debt will not be heavily evaluated. Debts paid to a collections agency...
22
Prevent High Winter Utility Bills with Door and Window Maintenance
(BPT) - How much do you spend on utilities? Are you looking for ways to save? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a typical American household spends about $2,100 on energy bills each year. Most of that expense comes from a home's energy use during the winter heating season. A quick home checkup can help you can reduce these costs, prepare for winter and enjoy energy savings.
Properly installed and maintained windows and doors can help keep your home more comfortable year-round. Save on heating costs by preparing your windows and doors for winter with these tips:
- Clear sills and moving parts of dirt and debris. Debris like sand, dirt or leaves can get caught in windowsills and moving parts of windows or doors. C...
16
Fixed Mortgage Rates Decline
Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) recently released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates falling back near their lows for 2014.
"Fixed mortgage rates were down on a week filled with bleak forward projections from the Federal Reserve and concern over growth in Europe," says Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac. "Despite gloomy vernacular from the Fed, mortgage purchase applications were up 2 percent on the week and the labor market added 248,000 jobs, beating expectations and lowering headline unemployment to 5.9 percent."
Fixed mortgage rates average as follows:
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.12 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending October 9, 2014, dow...