May 23
The pending financial reform legislation could affect your ability to get a new mortgage, auto loan or credit card because new standards for granting credit will be mandated. I am referring to the U.S. Senate’s recently passed S 3217 bill, which is commonly known as the financial reform legislation. It still must be reconciled with a version the House of Representatives that also passed, but major revisions are not expected. This has been a top priority for President Obama.
How will this affect you?
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May 21
Longtime readers know that I travel often and have encountered many issues with credit cards and problems with money abroad. Most European countries now use chip-and-PIN credit cards, which involve an extra layer of security. They are processed differently and use different card readers.
While many institutions in Europe are still set up to accept payments from both old-school magnetic swipe cards and new chip-and-PIN cards, some don’t. For example, two summers ago in Paris, I found that their automated subway ticket machines only accept euro coins or chip-and-PIN credit cards.
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May 18
Wondering about the Canadian Capital One secured credit card application? You’re not alone: Capital One is a very popular option for people pursuing a secured credit card option. Fortunately, the process is easy, and the most commonly asked questions find their answers here
Can I apply online?
Yes! Visit the Capital One website at www.capitalone.com to find quick, easy online applications for most of their credit cards.
How much of my credit limit do I have to supply in security funds?
Capital One offers a nice secured credit card option in that, depending on your credit score and history, you may not have to supply your entire credit limit in security funds.
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May 17
Saving money is one of the biggest struggles facing many Americans. Debt aside, saving money for even those that are 
not in debt is a goal for most families. The battle between saving vs. spending is a never ending one. The bottom line is that unrestrained spending continues to plague Americans, even in the face of one of the worst economic downturns in the last century.
Despite the often times reasonable justifications, whether it’s school fundraisers, your Aunt Ruth’s 80th birthday bash, the group gift for your boss or the specialty sneakers that are a necessity for the track meet next week, all of those seemingly justifiable expenditures prevent people from saving and cause them to pick up the plastic to get the need met.
Just when you think that you have control over your expenses you get that baby shower invitation in the main that will eventually cost you another $25.00 regardless of whether you attend or not. Debt can be considered a causality of living in a materialistic world. It ca
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May 17
It’s a problem more of us wish we had—inheriting some money after a relative’s death and deciding on the smartest way to use it. Most folks fall into one of two categories—set the money aside in a savings account or “rainy day fund” if you already have a savings, or use the money to pay down some of your debt.
Most beneficiaries are required to pay hefty inheritance taxes. Federal taxes must only be paid if the estate exceeds $3.5 million; however, each state carries its own tax amount that varies. Once the inheritance taxes are paid, the beneficiary must then decide what to do with the money that’s left. Obviously, the mo
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