About Brent

With the dream car, truck, or SUV in mind, it’s time to figure out how to pay for it. Since most buyers will need financing to secure their new or used vehicle, considerable time should be invested to make sure that the financing is appropriate for the individual borrower.

Credit cards are used by millions of consumers in today’s consumer-driven world. Many people even find them necessary to perform many everyday tasks, such as buying groceries and getting gas for their vehicles. Life in many ways has become easier with the availability of credit cards.

There are several claims by different companies and individuals declaring themselves the inventor of the first credit card. However, in today’s credit-reliant environment, all that matters is that someone brought the idea of a credit card to fruition!

Consolidation of debts is often one of the most common routes to take when cleaning up money owed to creditors, but there are also many other popular options available. Any of these can be used as an alternative to conventional debt consolidation or as a supplement, depending on your needs and budget.

With the endless choices for car insurance these days, one of the main challenges can be choosing the right company for your needs. Although price often weighs heavily into the decision, it is important to explore a few other factors prior to signing up, too.

Everybody loves saving money, especially when it comes to things we are required to have. If you drive a car, truck, SUV, or similar type of vehicle, then you must obtain and keep car insurance in nearly every state. This, of course, comes at a cost, which can be expensive if you have a less […]

While credit cards have in many ways made our lives easier, they can also create a serious headache if you’re not careful with them. It’s important to keep your personal finances secure; otherwise, you could find yourself in a world of hurt if someone acting maliciously gets a hold of your information.

Spending money that doesn’t feel like yours may be fun, but it certainly isn’t free. The costs and fees associated with credit cards are important to fully understand prior to using your card for the very first time. Otherwise, you could be surprised by some of the costs and fees you never anticipated.

After obtaining a credit card, it is important to take measures to use this newly obtained credit wisely. Having a credit card isn’t what gets some people in trouble – it’s the way they use it that does. Issues like overspending are common, as are getting caught up with rewards while not paying attention to […]

With the seemingly endless array of credit card options available, it can be difficult to decide which credit card is the best for you. Banks, credit unions, networks, retailers, national credit card companies, and others, all issue credit cards with a variety of benefits and perks.

Getting out of debt is hard. For many, turning to professional help offers the necessary support to get them on the road to success. When considering this route, remember the earlier the better. Reaching out for professional assistance before it is too late will help those involved assist you in the best manner.

An often-heard term when discussing debt management is consolidation. From the advertisements on TV to offers that come in the mail, debt consolidation has long been a buzzword. This debt management strategy involves taking all your debts (or the costliest debts) and combining them into a single loan.

The first step when organizing your finances or starting any debt management plan is to fully understand your personal debt. Debt is money, goods, or services owed by an individual to someone else. Having debt can be a burden that is hard to overcome without the right strategies, so it is important to understand where […]

If you have explored all the other options available for dealing with debt, including professional help, bankruptcy is there. Previously a taboo subject, bankruptcy has seen a rise in recent years. And to some, it does not carry the stigma it once did.

Now that you have a better understanding whether buying or leasing a vehicle is the best option for you, it is now time to tackle the second major question in any car buying experience: should I buy a new or used vehicle?

Buying a car is usually easier to understand than leasing one for most people. You choose a car, finance the purchase, make payments, and eventually own the vehicle outright. However, during the process of buying a car, there are some obstacles along the way. That includes dealer tactics and common mistakes buyers make. Failing to […]

Before making the decision to buy or lease a new vehicle, it is important to understand what it means to lease a vehicle and the reasons why it may or may not be your best option. A lease, in basic terms, is an arrangement between the dealership and the vehicle buyer that involves paying the […]

Nobody buys a home and signs a mortgage agreement with the intent of abandoning their home. However, it can happen when unexpected hard times or financial challenges arise. The absolute most important thing to do in times of distress is to communicate with your mortgage lender. This lays the groundwork for being able to avoid […]

Whether you are shopping for a new vehicle, or you’ve just driven off the lot with your new ride, there are ongoing costs of car ownership that require some attention. Keeping up with the monthly loan or lease payment is a must, but understanding what your auto insurance expense will be moving forward is just […]

So, it’s finally time to start planning for a new car, truck, or SUV. While it’s usually an exciting time and familiar process for many of us, when looking into a new vehicle, three seemingly innocent words can still cause quite the headache: budget, credit, and the “right” car. Let’s take a closer look at […]

Two important issues that commonly arise over the years of paying down a mortgage loan are how to remove the mortgage insurance (if applicable) and determining if you should refinance your home loan. Both have an impact on your overall financial picture, so it is beneficial to understand the ins and outs of each.

Once closing has taken place and the property has been transferred to you, the mortgage is just getting set up and processed. A common question among recent homebuyers is when the first monthly mortgage loan payment is due and where you’ll need to send your payments. We’ll address these questions below.

Once the home mortgage loan application has been turned in, many applicants wonder what the lender will do with their application, and if there are any additional steps they should take while waiting for the lender’s decision. Here’s what typically takes place next in the approval process and a few things you can do to […]

Congratulations! You have made it to closing on your new home. After your mortgage loan is fully approved, the closing date should be just around the corner. While the finish line may be in sight for you, it’s not yet the end of the home buying process. So be prepared to do a little more […]

Another issue to explore before applying for a home loan is which factors influence your upfront costs and monthly mortgage payments. This includes the down payment, mortgage insurance, and points. It is crucial to understand how all of these financial components work before deciding on a home loan.

So, you’ve decided on a piece of property and are ready to get approved for the home loan. After you’ve reviewed your lending options and the factors that go into determining your monthly mortgage payment you’ll want to reach out to some banks, credit unions, or other mortgage lenders to get quotes.

After deciding on the best type of mortgage loan for your financial situation and choosing a lender to service that loan, it is necessary to understand what factors will influence your monthly mortgage payment, and what you can do to ensure you reach the best payment structure for your new home.

Just as the variety of mortgage loan options has increased over time, as has the variety of sources for mortgage financing. It’s no longer just the neighborhood banks that supply mortgage loans; numerous types of traditional and non-traditional lenders are available to homebuyers.

Once you have decided in favor of buying a home rather than renting one, the next choice you must make is where to obtain the mortgage loan and the type of mortgage best suited for your situation. With the ever-increasing complexity and variety in mortgage options, it is easy to be overwhelmed.

Often the first decision a person ponders when considering owning a home is whether it’s best to rent or buy a place to live. While it’s impossible to give a blanket statement on which is better, it is possible to give an outline of circumstances that may make one or the other more favorable for […]

After you’ve done some initial automobile homework and established a few ideas of what you want and how much you are able to spend, it’s time to move to the first critical question on the quest to get your new car: should I buy or lease my next vehicle? There are several general rules of […]

Once you have a ballpark idea of your budget, credit, and preferred style of car, it’s time to do your homework before heading into the dealership, to ensure you get the best deal. As with any major purchase, a little prep work at home can save you considerable amounts of money over the life of […]