|
 Understanding
credit and debt
By
Bankrate.com
ABCs of
student loan paybacks
Once you graduate, you have a six-month grace period before
payback time begins for the student loans that helped make
your education possible. If you are off to graduate school
or working with a federally funded volunteer organization,
such as AmeriCorps, the loans can be postponed. But, for everyone
else, the clock is ticking. Here's how to set up your loan
repayment plan, so it is most advantageous for you.
Links:
Good
deeds help pay down college debt, Lock
in low student loan rates, Invest
or pay off student loans?, Student
loans and taxes: interest deductions, Understanding
credit, Cashing
in an IRA to pay college loans, December
grads can cash in on consolidation
Establish and build solid credit
Unless you've been living on another planet,
you know that getting a credit card is relatively easy. If
used wisely, credit cards are convenient and help you to establish
a credit history. If used haphazardly, credit cards get you
into a heap of trouble.
Links:
7
steps to your first card, Understanding
credit card contracts, FAQ
about credit cards, How
to avoid credit card late fees, Despite
debt dangers, college-aged kids need credit cards, Drowning
in credit card debt, Dealing
with lousy credit, Vigilance
best option to fight identity theft, ID
protection tips from the real 'Catch Me If You Can' man,
The
fallacy of fraud alerts
Meet your credit report
What it says about you matters! Your credit
score affects most lending decisions, from credit cards to
auto loans to mortgages. It can even determine whether you'll
be able to rent an apartment, get competitive insurance rates
or get a job. A bad credit report costs money and convenience.
Links:
FICO
-- friend or foe?, Credit
reports: Get one free under the right circumstances, Getting
all your credit history reported
|
