People can start benefits as early as age 62, but monthly payments increase the longer a person delays, up to age 70. One study found that 57% of retirees would build more wealth over their lifetimes by waiting until they reach age 70 to start collecting their Social Security benefits. But in reality, most people  … Read More

To prevent identity thieves from gaining access to your child’s credit and setting up phony accounts in your child’s name, freeze the child’s credit. A child is defined as anyone age 15 and under. Freezing the report is free. Visit the website of the three major credit bureaus to get specific information on what information  … Read More

There are no fees to enroll borrowers in federal loan programs such as income-driven repayment plans. Anyone can enroll for free, and the process is not difficult. To avoid scams, never pay up-front or monthly fees to a third-party company claiming to offer or expedite student=loan forgiveness. Avoid companies that promise fast loan forgiveness or  … Read More

Housemates should be dependable, considerate, financially stable, and share your values. Becoming housemates is a financial partnership. There are different home ownership structures. Your lawyer can provide legal advice as to which alternative will help you minimize your risks. Make sure to have a professional review each would-be housemate’s financial circumstances. Agree which bills should  … Read More

7 million people in the US are late with car payments. That is a record number of people who are 90 days behind or more on their auto loans. Most people having trouble with car payments have low credit scores and are under age 30. This indicates that many people are having trouble paying bills  … Read More