Dear Dave, We recently learned that my wife’s ex-husband used her social security number to establish several credit card accounts. We’ve written and called the credit card companies, and we’re disputing the charges, but is there anything else we can do to protect ourselves and put an end to this? Ken Dear Ken, You…… MORE
Dave Says: Insurance and Savings
Dear Dave, I just realized our insurance has a health savings account (HSA) option. We’ve considered dropping this insurance soon and going to a cheaper Christian medical sharing program. We’ve got about $19,000 in debt between credit cards and a car payment, and we’re on Baby Step 2 of your plan. Our thought was to…… MORE
Dave Says: Relationships and money
Dear Dave, My father-in-law wants to help us with our mortgage. We’ve been working hard to pay off our home early, and we’ve reduced what we owe to around $35,000. His idea is to pay off the remainder, then let us pay him back over time. In the past, he has loaned us much smaller…… MORE
Dave Says: A Teachable Moment
Dear Dave, My mom is single, and she co-signed on my student loans for college. Would it affect her credit if I couldn’t or didn’t make the payments? Terri Dear Terri, Yes, it would. The truth is, your mom shouldn’t have co-signed for you in the first place. There’s only one reason lenders want…… MORE
Take Your Side Hustle Full Time This Year
Follow These 5 Steps to Take Your Side Hustle Full Time This Year By Christy Wright Is your side hustle starting to feel like a second full-time job? Or maybe you’re a stay-at-home mom whose home-based business is taking off, and you want to dedicate more time to it. You’re not alone. According to a…… MORE
Dave Says: Let her take care of the payments
My daughter is in college, and I’ve always warned her to stay away from credit cards. Recently, I learned she got a department store credit card despite my advice. She has stayed within her credit limit, but she has never made any of the payments. At this point, she owes about $3,500. She’s a good…… MORE
Dave Says: You need actions, not words
Dear Dave, My husband and I have about $20,000 in credit card debt, plus payments on a new truck. We also have a camper he bought before we got married that we’re still making payments on. I recently received a $50,000 inheritance, and I’d like to use that money to help get us out of…… MORE
Dave Says: Paid In Full
Dear Dave, I’ve been late on a credit card bill several times, and it was turned over to a collection agency. They have offered a couple of different payment options. If I agree to one of these, does that mean the original creditor gets paid, too? Carter Dear Carter, A collection agency either owns…… MORE
Dave Says: Don’t Play The Game
Dear Dave, How do you feel about timeshares, and the free trips and dinners they offer as part of their sales pitches? Is it possible to win with these things? Dan Dear Dan, In my opinion, timeshares are a complete waste of time and money. Lots of folks go into this kind of thing believing they’ll…… MORE
Five Ways to Give Yourself a Raise in 2019
Five Ways to Give Yourself a Raise in 2019 By Rachel Cruze Everyone starts out a new year with the best intentions. We’re going to lose weight, or eat better, or work out more. I don’t know about you, but I’m as guilty as anyone when it comes to shelling out a bunch of money…… MORE
