WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Cash is king this holiday seasonhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/19/cash-is-king-this-holiday-season/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/19/cash-is-king-this-holiday-season/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/19/cash-is-king-this-holiday-season/#commentsFiled under: , ,

About 71.5% of consumers will use cash, checks or debit cards this holiday season versus 28.3% who plan to use credit cards, which is about a 10% decrease from last year and a clear sign that consumers are weaning themselves away from credit cards.

As credit card interest rates climb along with credit card delinquency consumers clearly want to avoid digging an even deeper credit hole.

According to the National Retail Federation's 2009 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, U.S. consumers plan to spend an average of $682.74 on holiday-related shopping, a 3.2% drop from last year's $705.01. Only 28.3% of shoppers will use credit this year compared to 31.5% a year ago.

"Paying with cash is the best way to add a safety brake during holiday shopping. Studies show that consumers typically spend 12% to 18% less when we use cash for payment. Counting out and handing over cash is a sobering reminder of how much items really cost. It makes you pause and consider if the purchase is really worth your labor," Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com and author of The Credit Card Guidebook, told me by e-mail.

Continue reading Cash is king this holiday season

Cash is king this holiday season originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>creditdebtholiday shoppingHolidayShoppingLita EpsteinThu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 ESTUninsured more likely to die youngerhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/18/uninsured-more-likely-to-die-younger/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/18/uninsured-more-likely-to-die-younger/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/18/uninsured-more-likely-to-die-younger/#commentsFiled under: , ,

emergency roomWhether you're a child rushed to an emergency room for care or an adult who has put off preventive medical care, if you don't have health insurance, you are more likely to die. That's been confirmed by three different health studies.

  • Harvard University found that large numbers of uninsured adults have chronic illnesses that are undiagnosed and under-treated, which means they are not getting treatments that could prevent strokes, heart attacks, amputations and kidney failure.

Continue reading Uninsured more likely to die younger

Uninsured more likely to die younger originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>dieershealthhospitalsinsuranceLita EpsteinWed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 ESTMyth Buster: No jail time for uninsuredhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/myth-buster-no-jail-time-for-uninsured/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/myth-buster-no-jail-time-for-uninsured/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/16/myth-buster-no-jail-time-for-uninsured/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You'll find numerous blogs out there threatening jail time for the uninsured, but don't believe them. This is just another scare tactic to prevent health insurance reform.

While it's true there are penalties for those who choose not to get insurance, that penalty is 2.5% of one's income and the penalties will be collected by the IRS. Jail time is not likely. In fact criminal prosecutions by the IRS are rare. Of 156 million individual tax returns filed in 2008, only 100 resulted in criminal prosecutions for those who willfully defrauded the system. The penalty will only impact those who are wealthy enough to pay for insurance and choose not to pay. The intent is that this penalty will be used to pay for the medical needs of those who choose not to get insurance.

Continue reading Myth Buster: No jail time for uninsured

Myth Buster: No jail time for uninsured originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>featuredhealth insurancehealthcare reformsHealthcareReformsHealthInsurancejail timeJailTimepremiumsLita EpsteinMon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTFed expects higher interest rates for consumer credit cardshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/12/fed-expects-higher-interest-rates-for-consumer-credit-cards/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/12/fed-expects-higher-interest-rates-for-consumer-credit-cards/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/12/fed-expects-higher-interest-rates-for-consumer-credit-cards/#commentsFiled under: ,

Banks continue to take advantage of the waiting period for the CARD Act to lower credit limits, increase interest rates, and raise the minimum credit scores required for a credit card during the past three months, according to the quarterly survey released this week by the Federal Reserve.

This survey of loan officers also found 75% of banks that make credit card loans do not expect to be compliant with the provisions of the legislation until February 2010, the month these reforms go into effect.

Continue reading Fed expects higher interest rates for consumer credit cards

Fed expects higher interest rates for consumer credit cards originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>bank of americaBankOfAmericacreditcredit cardsCreditCardspapadimitriouLita EpsteinThu, 12 Nov 2009 15:15:00 ESTConsumers could win big if Dodd's financial reform package becomes lawhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/11/consumers-could-win-big-if-dodds-financial-reform-package-becom/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/11/consumers-could-win-big-if-dodds-financial-reform-package-becom/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/11/consumers-could-win-big-if-dodds-financial-reform-package-becom/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd unveiled his financial reform package on Tuesday and consumers could win big if the bill becomes law. Dodd proposes a strong Consumer Financial Protection Agency whose sole job will be to protect American consumers from fraud and abuse. He wants to be sure people get the clear information they need on loans and other financial products from credit card companies, mortgage brokers, banks and others.

Dodd introduced the bill along with fellow committee members Jack Reed, Charles Schumer, Robert Menendez, Daniel Akaka, Jon Tester, Mark Warner, Jeff Merkley and Michael Bennet -- all Democrats, so at least it looks as though this may be a partisan effort, but the issue is so important I hope it can become a bipartisan bill.

Continue reading Consumers could win big if Dodd's financial reform package becomes law

Consumers could win big if Dodd's financial reform package becomes law originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>banking committeeBankingCommitteeconsumer protectionConsumerProtectiondoddfeaturedfederal reserveFederalReserveftcsenate banking committeeSenateBankingCommitteeLita EpsteinWed, 11 Nov 2009 19:15:00 ESTHomeowners may be able to rent rather than lose home to foreclosurehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/09/homeowners-may-be-able-to-rent-rather-than-lose-home-to-foreclos/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/09/homeowners-may-be-able-to-rent-rather-than-lose-home-to-foreclos/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/09/homeowners-may-be-able-to-rent-rather-than-lose-home-to-foreclos/#commentsFiled under: , ,

For rentIf you're having trouble making your mortgage payments, but want to stay in your home, you may get the option if your loan is held by Fannie Mae. Fannie Mae announced a new program recently that will allow you to stay in your home as a renter if you hand back the deed to the lender.

This new "Deed for Lease Program" will allow families to stay in their home rather than being displaced. It will also help to stem foreclosures and prevent further deterioration of neighborhoods filled with vacant foreclosures, according to an announcement from Frannie Mae.

Continue reading Homeowners may be able to rent rather than lose home to foreclosure

Homeowners may be able to rent rather than lose home to foreclosure originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>foreclosurehomemortgagesrent backRentBackLita EpsteinMon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:00 ESTBeware the hidden costs of gift cardshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/06/beware-the-hidden-costs-of-gift-cards/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/06/beware-the-hidden-costs-of-gift-cards/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/06/beware-the-hidden-costs-of-gift-cards/#commentsFiled under: ,

gift cardAs we start to buy gifts for family and friends, we may decide to go the easy route and get a gift card. But think twice before you choose that route. New studies show gift cards are the most popular presents to give and receive, but the hidden costs may outweigh the convenience of the gift. Be sure you give and use these cards correctly.

"Gift cards are easy to give, but they are also easy to forget. If the card has a monthly fee or expiration date, these can become costly little pieces of plastic," Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com and author of The Credit Card Guidebook told me in an email interview. "Even though gift cards take the hassle out of holiday shopping, you want to use them wisely. It is important to know the terms of the card you are buying."

Continue reading Beware the hidden costs of gift cards

Beware the hidden costs of gift cards originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>credit cardsCreditCardsfeesgift cardsGiftCardsLita EpsteinFri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:00 ESTRecession tales: Saving vs. spending a tough battlehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/05/recession-tales-saving-vs-spending-a-tough-battle/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/05/recession-tales-saving-vs-spending-a-tough-battle/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/05/recession-tales-saving-vs-spending-a-tough-battle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There's no doubt that the current downturn has changed people's spending habits.

Since the peak in housing wealth, homeowners lost more than $5 trillion in equity and 15 million homeowners own homes that are now underwater (worth less than they owe). Unemployment is hovering near 10% with no clear signs of falling.

Homeowners' previous piggy bank -- home equity -- is no longer available for spending. Even if people still hold a job, many are worried that their jobs are at risk and won't spend except for necessities.

People, afraid for their future also changed their savings habits. In the first quarter of 2008, before the recession took hold people saved about 1% of disposable income. By the second quarter of 2009 the savings rate soared to 5% of disposable income. But now that we appear to be near the end of the recession the savings rate dropped back to slightly above 3% in the third quarter of 2009, as people see the end of the recession in sight.

While economists now don't believe this recession will be as deep as the Great Depression, its depth and length will certainly change people's spending and savings habits for a long time to come.

Continue reading Recession tales: Saving vs. spending a tough battle

Recession tales: Saving vs. spending a tough battle originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>consumerscredit cardsCreditCardsrecessionsavingspendingLita EpsteinThu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 ESTCOBRA coverage for unemployed may be extendedhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/04/cobra-coverage-for-unemployed-may-be-extended/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/04/cobra-coverage-for-unemployed-may-be-extended/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/04/cobra-coverage-for-unemployed-may-be-extended/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Doctor's examIf you lost your job, right now you can get a 65% subsidy from the government to help pay for a continuation of your health benefits under COBRA for nine months. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act may be a weird name for a bill about health insurance, but it's basically the law that requires companies to let people pay to remain on their group health insurance plans for at least 18 months.

But that could end shortly. Congress passed the 65% subsidy as unemployment rose in this country, but it's due to expire Dec. 31. A bill to extend the subsidy for a total of 15 months was introduced last week by Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Pa. Originally, the subsidy was available for nine months. So someone who began collecting the subsidiary on March 1 would run out of help at the end of November.

Continue reading COBRA coverage for unemployed may be extended

COBRA coverage for unemployed may be extended originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cobrahealth insuranceHealthInsuranceLita EpsteinWed, 04 Nov 2009 13:00:00 ESTPew study confirms unfair credit card practices intensifyhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/30/pew-study-confirms-unfair-credit-card-practices-intensify/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/30/pew-study-confirms-unfair-credit-card-practices-intensify/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/30/pew-study-confirms-unfair-credit-card-practices-intensify/#commentsFiled under: ,

Credit cardsPew Charitable Trust confirmed what most of us consumers already know: credit card issuers continue to implement their most harmful practices, rushing to beat the deadline of the CARD Act.

The Pew Charitable Trust released "Still Waiting: 'Unfair or Deceptive' Credit Card Practices Continue as Americans Wait for New Reforms to Take Effect," which examines almost 400 credit cards advertisements by banks and credit unions offered in July 2009 and December 2008. The study found that 100% of the credit card companies continue practices that will be outlawed by the CARD Act. The lowest advertised interest rates have increased by more than 20% in the past year. None of the 12 largest banks currently issue cards that would meet the requirements of the CARD Act.

Continue reading Pew study confirms unfair credit card practices intensify

Pew study confirms unfair credit card practices intensify originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>card actCardActcredit cardsCreditCardspewLita EpsteinFri, 30 Oct 2009 18:00:00 ESTDon't be duped by fake health discount planshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/28/dont-be-duped-by-fake-health-discount-plans/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/28/dont-be-duped-by-fake-health-discount-plans/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/28/dont-be-duped-by-fake-health-discount-plans/#commentsFiled under: ,

Medical equipmentTelevision ads promote health discount plans in a duplicitous way to make them sound like insurance, but in reality, they're no more than a discount off the bill if you go to a member provider. You could still be stuck with thousands of dollars in health costs.

Unfortunately, Mary Lloyd found out the hard way when she and her husband signed up for a plan from Cinergy Health after seeing an ad that she could get health coverage for as little as $5 a day. She checked it out because her husband was set to retire, and health insurance was going to cost them $1,200 a month to continue his coverage. She got a quote for one plan that sounded good at $588, but was switched to a cheaper plan during the sales process when she did not get acceptance from the higher-priced plan. The key problem: The higher priced plan was true insurance, while the lower priced plan turned out to be a discount card.

Continue reading Don't be duped by fake health discount plans

Don't be duped by fake health discount plans originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>discount cardsDiscountCardsfraudhealth insuranceHealthInsurancescamsLita EpsteinWed, 28 Oct 2009 12:00:00 ESTMore Magazine's 10 best jobs for women over 40http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/23/exclusive-more-magazines-10-best-jobs-for-women-over-40/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/23/exclusive-more-magazines-10-best-jobs-for-women-over-40/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/23/exclusive-more-magazines-10-best-jobs-for-women-over-40/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Are you in your 40s and trying to decide how to reinvent your life, as well as rebuild your 401(K) in time for retirement after its been devastated by the recession? You're not alone.

Many women in their forties are now trying to restart careers, whether it's because of a job loss, it's returning to work after taking time off to have a family or it's deciding to put your career first after your husband built his.

I definitely fit into the last category. With my first marriage, we had to decide whose career would come first. My husband got the priority and I had to move with his career moves. My resume was filled with a lot of dead end jobs as I moved every three or four years.

I needed to jump-start a career at the age of 39 and decided to go back for my MBA. Finding work in my early 40s wasn't easy, but with the MBA I was able to restart a career. Now I've got 25 books on the market and my own business. Going back to school allowed me to find and fulfill my passion.

If you're looking to restart your career, you're probably wondering what you should do next? What jobs should you consider? WalletPop was given an exclusive look at an upcoming story in More Magazine on Oct. 27 about the best career moves for women over 40.

Continue reading More Magazine's 10 best jobs for women over 40

More Magazine's 10 best jobs for women over 40 originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>accountantcareercareers over 40CareersOver40communication professionalCommunicationProfessionalcommunity servicesCommunityServicescomputereducation administratorEducationAdministratorenvironmentalfinancialhumand resourcesHumandResourcesmoney magazineMoneyMagazinenursingLita EpsteinFri, 23 Oct 2009 15:30:00 ESTDebt collection practices act needs updatinghttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/22/debt-collection-practices-act-needs-updating/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/22/debt-collection-practices-act-needs-updating/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/22/debt-collection-practices-act-needs-updating/#commentsFiled under: , ,

How often have you gotten a robocall or other annoying call from a debt collection agency for a debt you never incurred?

I get them regularly because someone who had my telephone number before me didn't pay her bills. Some of them just won't believe I'm telling them the truth that I'm not that person and just keep calling my number. I quickly report them and their number to the FTC. And my story is tame compared to the case brought by Dianne McLeod in which she says her husband died because of credit collection calls.

So why is that happening more often? The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) just did a study on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and found that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has limited ability "to address the concerns related to the adequacy of account information, collectors' use of modern technologies, and other issues that arise in an evolving marketplace." The GAO definitely thinks it's time to update the act.

As the numbers of people who are late on their payments continue to rise, we're seeing the highest rate of past due accounts in 18 years, the GAO found. To recover this delinquent debt, credit card issuers use their own collection departments, outside collection agencies, collection law firms or they just sell the debt to someone else.

Continue reading Debt collection practices act needs updating

Debt collection practices act needs updating originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>collectorscredit cardsCreditCardsdebtdebt collectionDebtCollectionFair debt collectionFairDebtCollectionFDCPALita EpsteinThu, 22 Oct 2009 16:00:00 ESTWho are the uninsured? All of us, says Dr. Ozhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/21/who-are-the-uninsured-all-of-us-says-dr-oz/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/21/who-are-the-uninsured-all-of-us-says-dr-oz/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/21/who-are-the-uninsured-all-of-us-says-dr-oz/#commentsFiled under: ,

As the numbers continue to mount, the face of the uninsured gets more and complex now that there are 45.7 million uninsured people in the U.S. The TV talk show host Dr. Oz put a face on the uninsured with a recent episode focusing on the uninsured. He traveled to Houston with the help of 700 volunteers and the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) to run a free clinic that saw 2,000 uninsured patients in a single day. The NAFC has 1,200 free health clinics as members with six million volunteers nationwide including doctors, nurses and administrative staff.

Many of those who joined the ranks of the uninsured in the past two years were people who had good paying jobs, but lost them along with their health insurance as unemployment climbs near 10%. The largest chunk of the uninsured are working families with incomes near or slightly above the poverty line for a family of four -- $22,025. The working poor make up two-thirds of the uninsured.

COBRA, a federal law that mandates employers must continue to offer group insurance to people who lose their jobs as long as they pay for it, is often too expensive for the newly unemployed. The federal government did try to help these newly unemployed by temporarily lowering COBRA payments, but that benefit may soon be lost.

Continue reading Who are the uninsured? All of us, says Dr. Oz

Who are the uninsured? All of us, says Dr. Oz originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Dr OzDrOzfree clinicsFreeClinicshealth insuranceHealthInsuranceuninsuredLita EpsteinWed, 21 Oct 2009 17:00:00 ESTDelinquency rates increasing on credit cardshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/21/delinquency-rates-increasing-on-credit-cards/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/21/delinquency-rates-increasing-on-credit-cards/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/21/delinquency-rates-increasing-on-credit-cards/#commentsFiled under: ,

While we may be seeing some signs of improvement in the economy, credit card companies are certainly not getting any benefit from the improvement. September delinquency rates increased at five of the six top credit card companies when compared to August rates, according the LowCards.com CEO Bill Hardekopf.

American Express is the only one of the top six credit card companies not experiencing an increase in delinquency rates. Its rates stayed the same, according to Hardekopf by email interview. "These high delinquency rates could mean that consumers might continue to see rate and fee increases in the coming months, as well as credit limit decreases on their credit card accounts," Hardekopf said.

Continue reading Delinquency rates increasing on credit cards

Delinquency rates increasing on credit cards originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>american expressAmericanExpressbank of americaBankOfAmericacapital oneCapitalOnecitigroupcredit cardsCreditCardsdelinquenciesjpmorgan chaseJpmorganChaseLita EpsteinWed, 21 Oct 2009 14:00:00 ESTJoin the credit card revolution with Fifth Thirdhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/20/join-the-credit-card-revolution-with-fifth-third/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/20/join-the-credit-card-revolution-with-fifth-third/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/20/join-the-credit-card-revolution-with-fifth-third/#commentsFiled under: ,

Fifth Third gave the RevolutionCard a big boost by deciding to issue this new emerging credit card. What makes this credit card so special is that your name never appears on it.

If the card is stolen the thief must know your pin number to use it. You can change your pin number as often as you like. This feature can greatly reduce credit card fraud.

When using the card, you press Debit/ATM at check out rather than the credit button, because you will need to enter a pin number.

Your ability to use this new card is limited to the stores currently accepting it, but that does include some big names such as Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, Bloomingdale's, Office Depot, Publix, Rent-A-Center, T.J. Maxx, U-Haul International and about 50 others. As the RevolutionCard network grows you will be able to use it at more stores.

Continue reading Join the credit card revolution with Fifth Third

Join the credit card revolution with Fifth Third originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>fifth thirdFifthThirdrevolutioncardrevolutionmoneyLita EpsteinTue, 20 Oct 2009 16:00:00 ESTMortgage rates may be on the rise, but you can still land a good dealhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/19/mortgage-rates-may-be-on-the-rise-but-you-can-still-get-a-good/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/19/mortgage-rates-may-be-on-the-rise-but-you-can-still-get-a-good/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/19/mortgage-rates-may-be-on-the-rise-but-you-can-still-get-a-good/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When it comes to finding the best deal on mortgage rates, some homeowners might be feeling as if they missed the boat.

Earlier this month, interest rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages hit their lowest point since the spring, falling to 4.89 percent. Plenty of homeowners rushed to take advantage of those cheap rates with mortgage applications climbing 18.2% week over week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. But last week rates were on the rise again. Last Friday, the rate on the average 30-year mortgage hit 5.32%, according to BankRate.com.

Those who failed to lock in those sub-five percent rates are now faced with a quandary: Refinance now before rates rise even further or wait for rates to start falling again.

Continue reading Mortgage rates may be on the rise, but you can still land a good deal

Mortgage rates may be on the rise, but you can still land a good deal originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>interest paymentsinterest ratesInterestPaymentsInterestRatesmaking homes affordableMakingHomesAffordablerefinanceLita EpsteinMon, 19 Oct 2009 14:00:00 ESTMore disclosures on credit card statements mandated for Februaryhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/15/more-disclosures-on-credit-card-statements-mandated-for-february/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/15/more-disclosures-on-credit-card-statements-mandated-for-february/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/15/more-disclosures-on-credit-card-statements-mandated-for-february/#commentsFiled under: , ,

credit cardsThe Federal Reserve proposed 841 pages of rules designed to protect consumers from costly credit card practices. These proposed rules, if adopted, will take effect in February and represent the second stage of the Federal Reserve's implementation of the Credit CARD Act signed into law by President Obama in May.

Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com, discussed these new rules with me by email. The following is a summary of the new disclosures the Federal Reserve will now require from credit card issuers beginning with your February credit card statements:

Continue reading More disclosures on credit card statements mandated for February

More disclosures on credit card statements mandated for February originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>credit cardsCreditCardsdebt payoffDebtPayoffdisclosuresfederal reserveFederalReserveLita EpsteinThu, 15 Oct 2009 13:00:00 ESTTck Tck Tick: Time's a wasting: How to take action on climate change nowhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/14/tck-tck-tick-times-a-wasting-how-to-take-action-on-climate-ch/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/14/tck-tck-tick-times-a-wasting-how-to-take-action-on-climate-ch/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/14/tck-tck-tick-times-a-wasting-how-to-take-action-on-climate-ch/#commentsFiled under:

The U.S. needs to join the world community and take action on climate change. As Wallet Poppers, you can help make that happen by getting involved in a number of excellent programs to get the word out, and also by investigating ways to lesson your own impact on our planet's climate.

We need to limit worldwide greenhouse gases and build a clean energy economy so we can find a sustainable solution to our global climate crisis. Leaders will meet in Copenhagen this December to negotiate a global response to climate change. The U.S. is the world leader in greenhouse gas pollution as well as clean energy technology. So it is time for the United States to implement comprehensive clean energy policies to curb emissions.

You can easily take the first step by signing a petition and inviting your friends to sign a petition at tcktcktck to ask world leaders to hammer out a global climate treaty in Copenhagen. You can take similar action at Vote Earth. We have less than a hundred days left to get the word out that it's time for world leaders to take bold and ambitious action and work out a fair agreement on climate action in December 2009.

Continue reading Tck Tck Tick: Time's a wasting: How to take action on climate change now

Tck Tck Tick: Time's a wasting: How to take action on climate change now originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>clean energyCleanEnergyclimate changeClimateChangeinternational day of climate changeInternationalDayOfClimateChangenature conservancyNatureConservancyno impact experimentNoImpactExperimentplanet change projectPlanetChangeProjecttcktcktckLita EpsteinWed, 14 Oct 2009 17:30:00 ESTATM fees rising, but they are avoidablehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/12/atm-fees-rising-but-they-are-avoidable/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/12/atm-fees-rising-but-they-are-avoidable/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/12/atm-fees-rising-but-they-are-avoidable/#commentsFiled under:

Even though taxpayers bailed out the banks with billions of dollars, banks continue to look for ways to sock it to us.

The latest increases involve just pennies if you look at only one ATM transaction, but the banks make billions given the volume of those transactions. In fact Bankrate.com estimates banks rake in $2 billion per year in ATM charges.

Bankrate.com found that ATM surcharges are up almost 11% over last year. In 2008 the average ATM charge for using another bank's machine was $1.78. In 2009 the average went up to $1.97. That's only 19 cents per transaction and most people don't even notice it, but the banks are making out like bandits on their fees given the volume of ATM transactions everyday.

In addition to this charge for using another bank's ATM, you'll also likely get charged by your own bank. So you're actually charged twice for one transaction. The average for the home bank's charges have also gone up. In 2008 they averaged $1.25, which is up to $1.46 in 2009. That adds another 21 cents to have the convenience of using another bank's ATM.

Continue reading ATM fees rising, but they are avoidable

ATM fees rising, but they are avoidable originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>ATMChasefeesJPMorganoverdraftLita EpsteinMon, 12 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST