Related Services - The following company listings on the Debt Consolidation Loan Directory are offered to assist you with handling your credit card bills and other monthly payments. Also, in addition shop for other financial services ranging from credit card offers to home and car insurance.
- Debt Consolidation Services - Learn more on how debt consolidation can work for you and compare a detailed company list of lenders and related services offering help to people that need to consolidate debt.
- Debt Management Counseling - Do you have too many monthly bills and payments to manage them effectively? Visit this directory of sites in order to review and compare different debt management programs that may be able to help.
- Personal Debt Consolidation Loan - Need a smaller loan? Personal loan financing is most often unsecured. Meaning... your home or personal property is not used as collateral and the loan decision will typically be based upon your credit history and your ability to make the necessary payments. Also, this is often referred to as a signature loan.
For Newlyweds:
Starting a Household on Solid Ground Financially
For newlyweds, the first big financial decisions go beyond how to pay for the honeymoon and how to invest all those checks. They also involve starting a new household on solid ground financially. "Financial incompatibility is a primary reason for a significant number of failed marriages," said Lee Bowman, National Coordinator for Community Affairs. "Achieving harmony regarding financial matters before marriage, or as early in the marriage as possible, is critical to sustaining the relationship and preventing conflicts."
Before exchanging wedding vows, have a candid discussion about your finances. Be open and honest about matters that could be a source of friction in the future, such as major outstanding debts from student loans or credit cards.
Some experts suggest that both of you order your latest credit reports and then, together, sit down and review them to avoid major surprises. Credit reports include information on debts outstanding and, for example, whether someone has filed for bankruptcy. By federal law, you can receive one free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies (www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call toll-free 1-877-322-8228).
Set short-term and long-term financial goals. Figure out how much money each of you should be able to spend for "fun" and how much you should set aside for important goals, perhaps to buy a home. Financial advisors suggest that young couples consider preparing and following a monthly budget.
Understand the risks and responsibilities of jointly held accounts. If a husband and wife are co-owners of a credit card and one of them goes on a spending spree, the other spouse may be held responsible for paying the bill. Likewise, irresponsible use of a jointly owned credit card by one spouse would be reported on both of their credit histories, and that could damage the "innocent" partner's chances of getting a good loan or credit card in the future. And when two people use the same checking account, they should share one checkbook and record all transactions, because otherwise they risk losing track of their balance and paying charges for insufficient funds.
For more help or information for newlyweds: See the Spring 2005 special issue of FDIC Consumer News, which is devoted to helping young adults, including those just beginning a family, to learn the right ways to save and manage money. It is online at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnspr05.
FDIC Consumer News is published by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FDIC Consumer News is produced quarterly by the FDIC Office of Public Affairs in cooperation with other Divisions and Offices. It is intended to present information in a nontechnical way and is not intended to be a legal interpretation of FDIC or other government regulations and policies. Mention of a product, service or company does not constitute an endorsement.
Find current and past issues of FDIC Consumer News at http://www.fdic.gov/consumernews. Refer to this same index to locate the issues that are specially formatted for being reprinted in any quantity.
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Last updated on 05/13/2008