Are you wondering about your credit report and how often you should check it for accuracy? Well Matthew recently discussed this topic with SCORE Chicago and he offers some great, affordable tips for protecting your credit by monitoring it consistently. You can watch the video here.
Some of the points highlighted during the interview include:
Mark Goodman, a SCORE mentor and part of the Small Business Administration, hosts SCORE TV in Chicago, IL. In light of people losing their jobs, businesses downsizing, banks cutting lines of credit reluctant to extend any type of credit brings an attack on consumers personal credit. Personal credit and your credit score is one of the most confusing areas in managing money yet affects a big chunk of our financial decision and choices.
Any time a crisis comes, it is a great time to review the basics. SCORE TV and their editors broke down this 30 minute show into great bite size pieces on helping you all understand personal credit much more. There are a few, great quick videos to review.
I’ve had plenty of people contact me this week about getting “chunky” tax refunds. Barring the fact that they may have taken advantage of the Home Buyer Tax Credit and/or qualify for Earned Income Credit, most people should recognize that getting a large federal income tax refund is not a great financial strategy. In fact, it is the opposite. This is another factor that keeps the rich, richer…the poor, poorer and the middle class, middle class. Why? The Urban Dictionary calls this financial phenomenon…
Tonight on the Garrard McClendon LIVE show, I will share what the new credit card laws mean to you on Chicago’s CLTV broadcasting 6pm & 9:30pm CST. President Obama signed the Credit Card Act of 2009 into law May 22, 2009 where a majority of these laws take effect beginning February 22, 2010.
One of the biggest questions I get via email or comments on our Facebook page is how to get out of credit card debt the fastest. In addition to all the Debt Snowball strategies we’ve mentioned on past shows (Waging a War On Debt!), many have been very intrigued in the area of debt settlement. I mean, who wouldn’t like to take $50,000 of debt, get someone to negotiate for you and bring down the final bill to $25,000 or lower? Sounds to good to be true? Perhaps. Just like anything, do your research.
I’m glad we can bring another friend of Money Smart Radio and fellow Facebook friend, Jesse D. Niesen aka. The Debt-Go-to-Guy, to write a guest post on this particular topic…which happens to be his area of expertise. By the way…he is also a former jarhead, as in…a United States Marine! OOOORAAAAH!
If you like his article as I do, you outta give this guy some props and enter a comment below saying, “SEMPER FI!” This means, “Always Faithful”, the Marine Corps motto. I’m sure it would mean a lot to him!
Let’s Build Again in 2010…so what better way than to share some Money Smart Tips during the Chicago Now Show on WGN Radio 720 AM, TODAY (1/2/2010) from 11:30-Noon!
Here are some of the tough questions I will attempt to cover, regarding strategies in planning for retirement and finding money for our kid’s college education:
What does the President Bush’s Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 have to do with the way American’s are planning for retirement today?
Why is traditional ways of financial planning wasting time?
What are the 3 most fearful trends affecting our financial security and what should we do about it?
GUEST POST:
I was spending a night at a hotel in Salt Lake City while traveling on business, that I bumped across Phil Tirone’s popular infomercial. We are so honored to have Mr. Tirone, a highly accomplished mortgage professional and creator of the 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score program, contribute to our blog.
We have had the pleasure of having Phil Tirone, whom I met a few years ago through my financial mentor, Douglas Andrew. Phil has spoken to our mastermind group of financial planners, insurance agents and small business owners with great feedback. He will help you pull back the curtain on the credit game, so you can learn the rules and WIN!
It seems that the path to financial independence has taken a detour and set back many plans for several more years. One has to ask themselves, can I still be a millionaire by 30, 40 or even 50? Or even at all?
How many people do you know who have aired their deep concern with losing money in their 401(k) retirement plans or equity value of their real estate properties?
Is there a solution to all the financial and economic problems we are facing? How is the “lost generation” supposed to graduate from college and follow the dreams from four to five years ago that was so enticing before entering college?
It is amazing how many celebrities, professional athletes and entertainers who generate multi-million dollars of revenue, some even in the billions, can attract some of the most brilliant people in the world yet still miss the mark on handling their personal finances. Some examples lately are the likes of Donald Trump, Kevin Bacon, Brittney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Whitney Houston and MC Hammer.
No doubt that the financial crisis our country is facing may be creating a little worry, fear and panic in our country.
There are financial strategies that can weather this storm. At the same time, remember times like these, MILLIONAIRES are being born and raised. And millionaires are on the path to becoming BILLIONAIRES! Are you rising to he occasion?
Our national webinar and Chicago LIVE event surrounding these financial strategies have caught the attention of the media. In case you missed it, WGN-TN asked us to come on their show.
