Bella Mertz

After 20 years of payments, if you’re in an income-driven repayment plan, your federal student loans might be forgiven. Editorial disclosure: Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. It can be disheartening to realize how much debt you still have after months or even years of … Read more

Your bank account type and the method of statement delivery will determine how long you keep your bank statements. Most financial institutions provide electronic statements through online banking and make them accessible for years. Wells Fargo, for example, keeps deposit account statements for up to seven years. Check with your own bank or credit union … Read more

Fact Checked Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors opinions or evaluations. Selecting which credit card to pay off first can be challenging when you’re deeply in debt. Other questions may also arise when trying to climb out of debt. How much time do … Read more

Whether you’re planning a major purchase like a house or a car or you’re just starting to build credit, it’s important to know what’s on your credit reports. Let’s explore what’s on a credit report … and how they’re used. [Duration – 3:23]. Even though it’s ideal to try to avoid paying late on loans … Read more

Buying a house is a huge milestone, and securing a mortgage is often a crucial step in the process. But before you can get the keys to your dream home, there’s one important hurdle you need to clear: sourcing your funds. This might sound like a technical term, but it’s actually quite simple. Sourcing your … Read more

The answer is within 20 days. According to a federal regulation, your mortgage servicer must provide you with a check for the remaining amount in your escrow account no later than 20 days after you close the account. However there are a few things to keep in mind: The timing of the refund may vary … Read more

Not checking your credit regularly can be a critical financial mistake. You might have negative items—inaccurate or otherwise—dragging down your score. That can result in problems getting financing, service through insurance or utility companies, or even a job. Additionally, if your credit isn’t good enough, your interest rate and other terms on a loan or … Read more

Throughout your financial life, banks and other lenders will frequently check your credit score to determine whether to grant you credit or make a loan. Financial institutions prefer to lend to borrowers with good credit (typically meaning a credit score above 670). Finding out your score can be quick and easy, and it wont hurt … Read more

In a Nutshell Compared to lower scores, a good credit score can unlock better credit opportunities. Although credit and loan applications are evaluated by lenders based on a number of criteria, applicants with better credit scores typically have a better chance of being approved. Good credit scores can also help you qualify for lower interest … Read more

If your parent died with significant debt, you may wonder who is responsible for paying that debt. In general, children are not personally liable for a deceased parent’s debt. Instead, with a few exceptions, the trust or estate is required to settle debts to creditors as part of the trust or estate administration. Here’s an … Read more