Credit Card Offers

There are some great mobile apps and phone-friendly websites sites that help us better manage our money and credit, many of which I’ve written about for Credit.com. But I’m not convinced a new mobile service intended to help borrowers manage their student loans is really going to help stem the growing rate of student loan defaults.

Here’s the news: The American Education Services and FedLoan Servicing, now allows borrowers manage and review their student loans and make payments via their smart phones by hopping onto MyFedLoan.org or AESSuccess.org.

Here’s the reality: Students are graduating with an average $24,000 in student loans. The amo

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Today’s top news headlines feature advice about the importance of reading 111-page checking account disclosure agreements and reasons the number of millionaires in the U.S. is expected to rise. Plus, find out which special factors prompted an increase in unemployment claims.

Checking Account Disclosure Agreements Top 111 Pages The New York Times New data reveals the average disclosure agreement for checking accounts at the 10 largest banks in the U.S. are roughly 111 pages, making it difficult for consumers to sift through the legalities and fine print of their bank’s policies. A l

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Tune in to this week’s installment of Credit Line Radio, hosted by Credit.com’s chairman and co-founder Adam Levin on Los Angeles’ KFWB 980 AM this Saturday, May 7, at 9 a.m. PST/Noon EST.

The show is co-hosted by L.A. radio personality Jeff Levy.

Hi-Tech Ways to Boost Your Credit

There are a number of mobile and other types of apps designed to help you boost your credit score and take control of your finances in general.

Guest: Mark Frauendfelder, BoingBoing.net

Common Misconceptions About Credit

Vantage Score and Consumer Federation of America recently collaborated on a survey which, among other things, documents some of the most common misconceptions about credit. They’

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By Matt Cullina of Identity Theft 911

Survivors of the tornadoes that killed hundreds in the South need to prepare for another threat, this one man-made: Fraudsters often target victims in the aftermath of this kind of large-scale natural disaster.

The violent storms that ravaged six states in April left thousands homeless and unable to access their personal documents. The tornadoes also scattered confidential personal information including bank and credit card statements and social security cards. This material may have blown miles away never to be recovered.

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During March, consumers increased the amount of credit they carry on a year-over-year basis across nearly every lending category, according to the latest National Credit Trends Report from the credit monitoring bureau Equifax. In particular, the amount of consumer installment loans, auto loans and credit cards spiked significantly more than other types of credit.

In all, auto loans rose 23 percent during the month, while consumers opened more than 14 percent more credit cards than they did in the same month in 2010, the report said.

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Its not easy being a stay-at-home mom or dad. Childcare, homemaking, cooking… the list of chores and tasks is seemingly endless, and the hours are often punishingly long. These stresses can place such serious strains on relationships that they sometimes end in a break up.

At the moment, such strains can be alleviated by a sense of financial independence. The stay-at-home spouse or partner can have his or her own credit cards and functioning credit score, which can make the person feel less trapped and unhappy. A

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