Finance Globe

Financial mistakes are bound to happen. Some are worse than others. According to a poll from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, the biggest financial regret is habitual overspending. More than 2,200 people responded to the poll and 53% agreed with the top pick. Other responses: Inadequate savings, 18%Insufficiently preparing for retirement, 14%Not having a house, 10%Having purchased a house, 5%. A Few Consequences of Overspending One of the problems with overspending is that it keeps...

The economy gained a mere 82,000 jobs and the number of unemployed remained virtually unchanged at 12.7 million in June, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday. The jobs gain came predominantly from professional and business services, and most other major industries changed little over the month, the Bureau said.The 8.2 percent national unemployment rate also remains unchanged from the previous month and has hovered between 8.1 percent and 8.3 percent for all...

Con artists have no qualms about taking advantage of people during hard times. You may have heard or seen ads that promise the government has free money to help you pay your bills, but the Federal Trade Commission warns consumers that it is a scam:"There is currently money available NOW right here in your area, to help pay your bills.""NO lines, NO waiting, NO credit needed. This is YOUR money and will be sent back to...

You can use your credit card free, but it requires you to “color inside the lines” so to speak. Make a mistake and it could cost you. Paying on the due date. Normally, internet and phone credit card payments take a day or two to post to your account. Which means that if you make an internet or phone payment on the due date, it would actually be late. You can speak to a representative to...

Even with a great credit score, you’re not guaranteed to have your credit card and loan applications approved. Lenders consider a few other factors outside your credit score like your income and employment history. If you’re not a good candidate in all areas, your application could be denied. While being denied is disappointing, especially if you were hoping to be approved for a mortgage or car loan, the good news is that a denial won’t affect...

It’s hard to keep your credit intact when you’re going through a major life change like divorce, job loss, medical illness, or relocation. Your credit score can suffer in the process of these big changes, especially if you get behind on your bill payments. Foreclosure, repossession, bankruptcy, and debt collections are often the result of those big life changes that affect your finances and your ability to focus. The credit system may not always seem fair,...

Several major banks now offer a short-term loan product similar to payday loans. If you have a checking account in good standing with direct deposit, you may qualify for a checking account advance or direct deposit advance. You avoid the stigma of going to a payday loan store and the advance is repaid automatically with your next direct deposit or with 35 days. If your bank offers the service, you may find a link to request...

The total number of employers fell in the U.S. in 2010 for the third consecutive year in a row - but at a slower pace than earlier years, according to a government report released on Tuesday.There were 7.4 million U.S. businesses with paid employees in 2010 - a decline of 36,800 establishments from the year before, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. From 2008 to 2009 there was a decline of 168,000 establishments.In 2010, total employment...

If you have (or have thought about) a savings account at a traditional bank, odds are you aren’t getting a great rate. Savings accounts have one of the lowest rates of all types of investment and savings vehicles with rates as low as .10%. Put $1,000 in an account earning .10% annually and you’ll only earn $1 by the end of the year. In the past several years, a better type of savings account has become...

Your credit report contains a record of most of your financial decisions. It impacts more of your life than you’d imagine – some parts that aren’t directly related to your finances. If you want to get a credit card or a loan, your credit report will be considered. That means your ability to buy a house or car is influenced by your credit report. Some prospective employers use credit reports to screen job candidates. Your current...