Financial and Lifestyle Resources for Vermont

When you take out a loan or put charges on your credit card, you’re not just responsible for paying back the amount you have borrowed; you also have to pay interest. However, you can reduce the amount of interest you owe by making extra principal payments. How do you do that?

It seems easy and stress free to swipe the new credit card, or try to get approved for a loan to cover the big expenses. However, as easy as it seems, it’s more stressful! Racking up debt results in heftier monthly payments, and from personal experience I know that these can creep up faster than expected, sometimes leaving you with the occasional… “Where did all my money go?” 

When you're injured and can't work, paying the bills can be a trick. Missing payments can ruin your credit and maybe even result in the loss of your car or your house. You can prepare for the worst by getting loan payment protection like credit life and credit disability insurance.

Negative equity. Upside down. Under water. All have a similar meaning—you owe more on your car than it’s worth. This is the last situation you want to be in after buying a vehicle. There are some common reasons you may end up upside down on your loan. Doing your research ahead of time can help you avoid buying a car that’s not worth the payments!

When it comes to credit scores there are a lot of myths, which can cause consumers to make poor decisions about their credit card use. Here is a list of the most common misconceptions (and why you shouldn’t believe them):  

Q: Is there more to getting approved for a loan than just A+ credit?  A: Yes! Your Ratios! (debt to income ratio and unsecured ratio)

If you get a little extra cash in your paycheck from a holiday or year-end bonus, stretch it as far as you can in a way that will help you over the long term and still afford you some fun. Receiving unexpected money is a great way to get ahead financially. Whether you get 100 dollars or 1,000, there are many ways to put it to good use. So how are you going to spend your holiday bonus?

When your spouse passes away, you will have to collect legal documents, uncover and calculate your spouse’s personal debts, and determine which of your joint financial obligations now belong to you. However overwhelming it may seem, the following steps can help you gain control over your finances and protect your credit score.