Ask Chuck: Should I Co-Sign a Loan?
Dear Chuck, So, I cosigned for a student loan and now I’m stuck paying for it. Is there anything I can do? Regretful Dear Regretful, Unfortunately, the same thing happened with my Dad and we have not found a satisfactory remedy. He was approached by an employee whose son needed assistance to get a […]
Practical Steps to Start Investing
Are you an investor? The U.S. stock market has grabbed everyone’s attention since volatility began to increase after a full year of uninterrupted growth in 2017. With so many people having some stake in the market, it is no wonder that it has been making the financial headlines lately. Recent surveys indicate that about 45% […]
Ask Chuck – Buying a House
Dear Chuck, My wife and I have been renting for five years and want to buy a home. Could you share any tips so we can make a wise decision? Hopeful Homeowner Dear Hopeful, I commend you for seeking counsel in what’s typically the largest purchase of a lifetime. Assuming you’ve compared the costs […]
Good Advice on Planning for Retirement
Are you thinking about and planning your retirement? Here is some helpful advice from David McAlvany, President of McAlvany Wealth Advisors and author of The Intentional Legacy. “Through no fault of their own, the rules have changed. You used to be able to count on 4% of your savings to supplement your retirement income. Today, it’s […]
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Reverse Mortgages
Originally posted on the Christian Post on September 30. Dear Chuck, My elderly parents are considering a reverse mortgage because they are struggling on a fixed income. Is that a good idea? Could it do more harm than good? Worried for Mom and Dad Dear Worried, I share your concerns about reverse mortgages, called “the ugly […]
How to Lose a Car and Not Your Credit Rating
Originally posted at Christian Post September 9, 2016. Dear Chuck, What are the rules when a bank repossesses your car? Do you still have to pay them what you owe and can they garnish your wages for payment? I have a friend who has just turned her life over to Christ and over the years she has […]
If You Are Buying A Car, Don’t Do This
British comedian John Oliver recently took aim at the rampant rip-off that currently takes place in the auto-lending sector with BUY HERE – PAY HERE loans. These are loans that make it easy to purchase a car on credit but with high interest rates and severe penalties for missing a payment or default. These are […]
Are You Paying to Have a Checking Account?
According to Bankrate.com the percentage of banks offering free checking with no strings attached fell to 37 percent in 2015. A total of 95 percent of the non-interest-bearing accounts Bankrate surveyed were either free or waive monthly maintenance fees for account holders who meet certain requirements, such as keeping a minimum balance or, most commonly, making regular […]
Should You Buy a Car with 0% Interest Financing?
“When a car dealer offers to loan you the money to buy a car at zero percent interest, it gets your attention,” says Dee Ann Durbin, Auto Writer for the Associated Press. It sounds like a great deal, but a little research shows that it might not be the best deal. Durbin continues, “Dealers can offer […]
It’s Wise for Teens to Have Bank Accounts
By Chuck Bentley My 17-year-old has a summer job outside the home. He needed a bank account so he could cash and deposit his checks. Helping him open an account was a great experience, and I learned a few things. First, a student can open a bank account, at most banks, for free if they […]