No safeguards in easy reach for Utah data breach victims
Consumer advocates lobby state for more hands-on help.
Recent News
Facebook could lead to financial stress - KSL -- May 9, 2012 - 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.
Why workers postpone retirement - KSL -- April 5, 2012 - 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.
Staying at home: How to downsize from dual to single income - Deseret News -- March 5, 2012 - 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.
'Sandwich generation' grows amidst economic woes - KSL News -- February 23, 2012 - 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?
Money habits that lead to arguments - KSL.com -- November 3, 2011 - 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?
Layaway returns to major retail stores as consumers lay off credit cards - Salt Lake Tribune -- October 22, 2011 - 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 and in a big way.
The low cost of avoiding foreclosure - Deseret News -- October 21, 2011 - Utah has many nonprofit agencies that are sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to dispense advice and information regarding foreclosure counseling, budgeting and credit, along with personal and mortgage finance.
Imagine a Happier You campaign helps 3 women - Deseret News -- September 25, 2011 - "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.
Paying an old debt could hurt your credit score - KUTV 2 Utah -- May 24, 2011 - Paying off a debt should better your credit score, right? But a Cottonwood Heights man says his plan to pay off an old bill would have put a major ding on his report. How can that be?
More Utahns raid their 401(k) - KSL.com -- May 24, 2011 - Not only are more Utahns taking money out of their 401(k), but many of us are canceling our payments into the account.
Free Class Give Homeowners Facing Foreclosure - KCPW -- April 25, 2011 - As more and more Utahns face the real prospect of foreclosure, they might feel there’s no one to turn to, but a free class in Salt Lake City is changing that.
No easy fixes for a mortgage in trouble - Salt Lake Tribune -- April 18, 2011 - More than three years after Utah's real estate bubble popped, tens of thousands of homeowners have some tough decisions to make.
Utah Saves Challenge Week - Learn to save money - Deseret News -- February 20, 2011 - Utah Saves Challenge Week will formally begin Tuesday as Gov. Gary Herbert signs the Financial Responsibility Concurrent Resolution, sponsored by Jones and Rep. Patrice M. Arent, D-Salt Lake, and Jones announces the first of what will be a week's worth of daily financial challenges.
The other kind of cheating in marriage - KSL -- January 20, 2011 - Financial advisors are warning about another kind of cheating in a marriage. Financial infidelity is a bigger problem than many people realize.
Make financial resolutions this year - The Salt Lake Tribune -- January 14, 2011 - It’s not too late to make a financial resolution or two for the new year. In fact, many experts say once the holidays are over — and right about the time your credit card statement arrives — is one of the best times to put money-oriented goals in place.
Matched-savings program helps low-income families achieve financial success - Sun Advocate -- October 21, 2010 - Troy, a current UIDAN participant, has been saving in the program since 2008. He plans to use his savings and earned match money to start a saddle and leather repair company. His ultimate goal is to better himself and his business and financial management skills in order to get off government benefits.
Foreclosure halt may have lasting impact on local homeowners - Deseret News -- October 12, 2010 - Three of the nation's largest mortgage lenders have halted property foreclosures in many states including Utah. How the foreclosure freeze will impact Utah homeowners is uncertain.
Recession not over: Families are still suffering - Davis County Clipper -- October 11, 2010 - Whoever said the recession was over the middle of last year apparently didn't bother to ask the American people - or Davis County residents.
What to save for first? Financial adviser lays out plan - KSL -- October 6, 2010 - The tough economy has more people saving money across the country. But what should people be saving for first? The first step is to pay off your high interest debt.
Sanctuary from financial woe - Weber State University The Signpost -- September 20, 2010 - The program is about more than just saving money. It's about building strong financial management habits that will help program participants build stable financial futures.
Preparing to live with less - KSL -- August 19, 2010 - When people first put themselves on a budget and try to cut out as many expenses as they can, it can be an overwhelming experience. Many financial advisers liken it to going on a diet, and like starting a diet, getting on the scale the very first time is hard to do for some people.
Utah bankruptcy filings on the rise - ABC 4 -- August 2, 2010 - Utah bankruptcy filings are up by 31 percent from a year ago. Experts say the continued housing slump, unemployment rate, and years of consumer debt are to blame.
Concepts teens should learn along with their first job - KSL -- July 29, 2010 - One thing parents should do is go over their first pay stub with their child. AAA Fair Credit Foundation CEO Preston Cochrane says kids are sure to have some questions.
Concepts teens should learn along with their first job - KSL -- July 29, 2010 - One thing parents should do is go over their first pay stub with their child. AAA Fair Credit Foundation CEO Preston Cochrane says kids are sure to have some questions.
Debt free: Let DMC, experts help you manage your money - Deseret News -- June 21, 2010- Today, the "Imagine a Happier You" campaign launches with a website that offers loads of great financial advice, links, calculators and other tools to help everyone — but especially women — learn about money and how to take control of their finances, from the intricacies of budgeting to debt elimination and retirement planning.
Drowning in credit card debt? Debt settlement can be tricky - USA Today -- June 8, 2010- Debt-settlement companies claim they can reduce borrowers' debts by negotiating with creditors. A growing group of lawmakers, regulators and consumer advocates say these companies exploit desperate borrowers, often leaving them deeper in debt.
Double up to dig out of debt - Mormon Times -- June 7, 2010- Getting out is often tricky, and doing it in a reasonable time period will likely require the use of various tactics and guidance from a financial adviser.
Company helps people manage financial challenges - Deseret News -- May 30, 2010- AAA Fair Credit Foundation believes with proper education and instruction, people can manage their financial challenges and avoid many common problems.
Utah's Foreclosure Crisis: Worst lurks ahead - Salt Lake Tribune -- May 24, 2010- Having lagged behind other hard-hit regions where housing markets are now slowly improving, Utah has yet to reach the peak of its crisis.
Do homework on debt management services - Deseret News -- January 13, 2010- Those thinking of hiring a debt management company should do their homework to avoid being been duped by unscrupulous and unlicensed companies.
Program may battle foreclosure - Deseret News -- October 1, 2009- Recognizing a "code red" situation in a state experiencing some of the highest foreclosures rates and mortgage delinquencies in the country, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon is getting behind a new program offering no-cost financial services to families coping with or trying to avoid crisis.
Hundreds visit Emergency Fair - Davis County Clipper -- August 18, 2009- "Pay your credit card payment every month", advised Will VanderToolen of AAA Fair Credit Foundation of Utah. He conducted several classes, ranging from budgeting to how to build and maintain credit.
Learning to navigate today's credit landscape - Deseret News -- June 15, 2009- In the wake of the economic turmoil caused by the mortgage meltdown, a credit crisis was born. Now getting a credit card or mortgage is harder than it's been for decades, and analysts warn it will probably remain that way for the foreseeable future.
Utah bankruptcies soar 56 percent from a year ago - Salt Lake Tribune -- April 9, 2009- Bankruptcy filings in Utah soared during the first three months of 2009 -- a sign the weakening economy is exacting a bitter toll on the finances of thousands of the state's residents.
Sour economy forcing many to bring gourmet meals home - KSL -- Jan 29, 2009- The economic downturn hasn't taken people's desire for gourmet food, even if they can't afford to go to restaurants. They're just finding a different way to get it.
Non-Profit Spotlight: AAA Fair Credit Foundation - Utah Pulse -- Dec 31, 2008- This month Utah Pulse is featuring some of the non-profit organizations working in Utah. Today we highlight the AAA Fair Credit Foundation.
Hidden Crisis: Middle Class, Employed and Broke - Fox13 -- Nov 23, 2008- The effects of an ailing economy are no longer only visible in low income families. Utah middle income families are also being affected-- and hiding it well.
Is there free money for Utahns - ABC4 -- Nov 21, 2008- A public- private partnership in Utah is offering free money to help people struggling to get a start in life and encourage savings.
Not reading credit card junk mail can cost you money - KUTV2 -- Nov 13, 2008- You may get dozens of pieces of seemingly junk mail from your credit card company every week. Trashing that mail is costing some people big bucks.
Credit Crunch (Part 2) - Fox13 -- Nov 6, 2008- Making a simple phone call can get rid of debt quicker and lower high credit card interest rates.
Credit Crunch (Part 1) - Fox13 -- Nov 6, 2008- One way to manage good credit is checking individual credit reports and scores at least once a year.
Putting your family on a Money Diet - ABC 4 -- Oct 30, 2008- Spending money is a lot like eating. If you’re not careful, you could end up bloated with debt – a deadly situation in any economy. What’s the best way out? A spending diet.
Individual Development Accounts - Sun Advocate -- Oct 23, 2008 - If someone supporting a family of four on about $35,000 a year can manage to save a big chunk of income, what's stopping the rest of us from saving more?
Emergency Familiy Finances: Part 1 - KSL 5 -- Oct 2, 2008 - Many who are working are making a lot less money right now and subprime mortgages and big consumer debt are hovering over a lot of households locally.
16 organizations recognized for workplace flexibility - Salt Lake Tribune -- Sept 16, 2008 - Sixteen organizations along the Wasatch Front will receive Alfred P. Sloan awards for workplace flexibility from the Salt Lake Chamber at a breakfast today.
Don't let bad habits suck up your budget - Daily Herald -- April 4, 2008 - Spring isn't usually a time for doom and gloom, but that seems to be the tone of almost everything said about the economy these days.
Help for the home - Salt Lake City, UT -- Low-to-moderate-income people eager to own a house have assistance options
Students may get financial education - Salt Lake City, UT -- A bill aimed at giving students a firm base in financial literacy cleared the Senate Education committee unanimously Monday. SB61 would create an optional K-12 financial literacy track that would familiarize students with financial literacy education.
KCPW's Bottomline Fiscal Fitness Tips for the New Year -- Many New Year resolutions revolve around getting fit. Preston Cochrane and Ann House talked about getting one's finances fiscally fit for 2008.
Perfect Home Living Names New Chairman of the Board -- Salt Lake City, UT (OPENPRESS) June 9, 2007 -- To some the name Preston Cochrane is merely all the introduction required in the world of the non-profit sector.
Savings program leads to home owners -- Davis County Clipper - Fri, May 25, 2007 - There’s nothing new about saving for a home.
But the Utah Individual Development Account Network (UIDAN) makes it a lot easier for lower income folks who may believe home ownership is an impossibility.
Help sought for Utahns living on the edge -- Deseret News - Fri, May 18, 2007 - Several organizations, including UIDAN, brief a Utah legislative committee on programs helping low- to moderate-income Utah families.
Money sense, language might affect loan rates
- Preston Cochrane contributes to this Salt Lake Tribune article that discusses a recent study by the Consumer Federation of America reporting that black and Latino homeowners were more than twice as likely to get higher-rate "subprime" loans than other racial and ethnic groups.
The Tax Man Cometh
- Listen to IRS specialist Bill Brunson and Preston Cochrane of AAA Fair Credit about year-end tax and New Year budget planning advice.
