Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Facebook could lead to financial stress

Could constantly logging on to Facebook lead to financial stress? According to a recent report, people may feel a sense of financial failure when they look at all of the things their friends are able to do.

Preston Cochrane - 5/15/2012 9:22:27 AM
Views 26      0 Comments    

Monday, April 23, 2012

No safeguards in easy reach for Utah data breach victims

Consumer advocates lobby state for more hands-on help.

Preston Cochrane - 4/23/2012 5:26:58 PM
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Thursday, April 05, 2012

Why workers postpone retirement

A recent report shows an increasing number of seniors are deciding to push back their retirement age. Some financial consultants in Utah say they're noticing a few reasons why.

Preston Cochrane - 4/5/2012 9:54:09 AM
Views 125      0 Comments    

Monday, March 12, 2012

How We Reduced $8,554 in Credit Card Debt During the Great Recession

When we first started our debt management program with AAA Fair Credit Foundation in January of 2010, Mr. Man and I had just a little more than $25,000 in credit card debt. Today, roughly two years later, we are down to $16,446.

Preston Cochrane - 3/12/2012 2:19:29 PM
Views 270      0 Comments    

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Staying at home: How to downsize from dual to single income

In today's economy, many households are cutting back from a dual income to a single income — whether by choice or because of economic realities like layoffs. The success of such transitions depends on several common factors and plans.

Preston Cochrane - 3/6/2012 1:48:21 PM
Views 268      0 Comments    

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

'Sandwich generation' grows amidst economic woes

The current economy has many people helping to pay the expenses of their struggling adult children, but, how can families best handle this kind of scenario?

Preston Cochrane - 2/28/2012 8:43:44 AM
Views 267      0 Comments    

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Utah Individual Development Account Network available to help low-income individuals raise money

When it comes to saving for a house, education or small business, one Utah group is helping out. Consider it venture capital and education for low-income individuals.

Preston Cochrane - 2/1/2012 5:27:12 PM
Views 325      0 Comments    

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Mortgage servicers, investors save millions with credit counseling

Benefits that distressed homeowners receive from credit counseling translate into mortgage servicers saving millions of dollars, according to The Stratmor Group.

Preston Cochrane - 1/3/2012 10:12:06 AM
Views 399      0 Comments    

Monday, December 12, 2011

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau aims to simplify credit card agreements

The CFPB is asking the public to weigh in on a prototype credit card agreement that is shorter, written in plain language, and explains key features upfront. The CFPB also plans to pilot test the prototype with Pentagon Federal Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in the country, to get on-the-ground consumer feedback.

Preston Cochrane - 12/12/2011 11:29:41 AM
Views 366      0 Comments    

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Money habits that lead to arguments

It's well known that money can lead to disagreements between married couples. But what kind of financial habits are more likely to lead to an argument?

Preston Cochrane - 11/3/2011 4:30:58 PM
Views 498      0 Comments    

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Obama announces student loan relief

President Barack Obama recalled his struggles with student loan debt as he unveiled a plan Wednesday that could give millions of young people some relief on their payments.

Preston Cochrane - 10/27/2011 4:46:50 PM
Views 487      0 Comments    

Monday, October 24, 2011

Layaway returns to major retail stores as consumers lay off credit cards

Layaway almost disappeared during the last economic boom. With easy credit and plenty of home equity to tap, many families no longer needed a pay-as-you-go way of making purchases. But today, layaway is back.

Preston Cochrane - 10/24/2011 9:50:32 PM
Views 417      0 Comments    

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

‘Imagine a Happier You’ campaign helps 3 women

The "Imagine a Happier You" campaign and its partners, AAA Fair Credit, Merrill Lynch and Zions Bank, who each mentored one of the women for one full year, will recap briefly the lessons learned as part of Zions Bank's Smart Women Smart Money conference.

Preston Cochrane - 9/28/2011 1:11:19 PM
Views 411      0 Comments    

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Credit probes go beyond scores

Data companies beyond the Big Three credit bureaus (Equifax, Trans Union and Experian) are compiling information about consumers’ job history, income and net worth that lenders can use to verify whether borrowers are as safe or as risky as their scores suggest.

Preston Cochrane - 9/22/2011 1:46:28 PM
Views 534      0 Comments    

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Obama Deficit-Reduction Plan Would Allow Federal Debt Collectors To Contact People On Their Cellphones

A new proposal by the White House would allow collectors pursuing a government-backed debt -- which includes most mortgages, unpaid taxes and federal loans -- to contact people via their cellphones, in an effort to secure every last nickel and dime from taxpayers.

Preston Cochrane - 9/21/2011 2:10:31 PM
Views 507      0 Comments    

Friday, September 16, 2011

New credit score could help millions

FICO's new scoring model may make it easier for some to buy a house or get a credit card. But major lenders have been slow to switch, and the entire mortgage industry has yet to sign on.

Preston Cochrane - 9/16/2011 11:36:08 AM
Views 557      0 Comments    

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Six Surprises Hidden in the Credit CARD Act

Many finer points of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act) are complex and confusing at best. Here are six things about the CARD Act you might not know.

Preston Cochrane - 9/8/2011 11:25:23 PM
Views 520      0 Comments    

Friday, August 12, 2011

Students, seniors may feel impact of debt deal

The debt-ceiling compromise approved by the Senate on Tuesday and signed by President Obama will have both short and long-term consequences for all Americans. Who could be affected?

Preston Cochrane - 8/12/2011 12:17:31 PM
Views 606      0 Comments    

Most Americans can't afford a $1,000 emergency expense

A majority, or 64%, of Americans don't have enough cash on hand to handle a $1,000 emergency expense, according to a new survey.

Preston Cochrane - 8/12/2011 10:17:18 AM
Views 357      0 Comments    

Monday, August 01, 2011

Bill seeks to erase medical debt from credit reports

Medical debts that you paid off long ago can drag down your credit score for years after you've settled them. But recently proposed legislation could mean old doctor bills will finally be erased from your credit report.

Preston Cochrane - 8/1/2011 11:12:52 AM
Views 601      0 Comments    

Monday, June 27, 2011

Independent Research Validate Benefits of Mortgage Counseling

Housing counseling increases the likelihood a homeowner will be granted a loan modification by 200 percent, according to research from the Federal Reserve.

Preston Cochrane - 6/27/2011 4:08:25 PM
Views 1116      0 Comments