Debt Management & Credit

Spotted a minus sign on your credit card statement and now you're wondering if you've broken the bank or stumbled into free money? After nearly 30 years as a financial planner, I've seen that little negative balance on your credit card cause more confusion than a tax form in April!...

Did you know the average credit card interest rate is hovering around a staggering 21.37% in Q1 2025, as reported by the Federal Reserve. On a $10,000 balance that's potentially over $2,100 dollars a year vanishing into thins air each year. Barely touching your principal. Feeling trapped? ...

Hi, I'm Michael Ryan, and after 3 decades as a financial planner. I've seen it all: the crippling weight of student loans, the anxiety of living paycheck to paycheck, the shame of credit card debt spiraling out of control. I've sat across from tearful clients, feeling utterly lost. But I've...

Got denied for that car loan? Apartment application ghosted you because your FICO is stuck at 620? Here's the truth nobody on TikTok will tell you: 30-45 days if your issue is credit utilization (pay down balances)45-90 days for error disputes (if you have documented inaccuracies)3-6 months to rebuild payment...

Ever feel like your credit score is a mystery? You pay your bills on time, but the number just won’t budge. As a retired financial planner with almost 3 decades of experience, I’ve seen this frustration countless times. The culprit is almost always a misunderstood metric: credit utilization rate....

I’ve spent nearly 3 decades in financial planning, guiding clients through the dot-com bubble, the 2008 crash, and the unpredictable markets that followed. In that time, I've seen countless solid real estate deals get rejected by conventional banks for one simple reason: the investor's personal tax returns didn't fit...

Taking out a payday loan often feels like grabbing a lifeline. When you're facing an unexpected bill and your bank account is empty, that promise of "fast cash" can seem like the only solution. But as a financial planner for nearly three decades, I've seen that lifeline quickly tighten...

Rebuild credit by slashing your utilization ratio—it's the single fastest path to a better credit score.Ever felt like your credit score is a black box, rigged against you? You’re not alone. The national average FICO score dropped to 702 in 2026 , the steepest decline since the Great Recession....

Tired of pulling out the same boring plastic card as everyone else? Discover now lets you personalize your credit card with over 137 free designs—from nostalgic boomboxes to NHL team logos—without changing your account number or paying a single fee. Unlike competitors who charge $5–50 for metal or custom cards,...

Reverse mortgages allow older homeowners to tap into their home equity without having to make monthly mortgage payments. But what happens when you want to get out of a reverse mortgage loan? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the ins and outs of repaying a reverse mortgage, alternatives...