In this time of turmoil, foreign and domestic, we can look at the glass half (or more) empty, Iran, Korea, worldwide economic slump, resurgent Russian expansionism, deficits, foreclosures, you can see as much as you want looking in that direction. We do get to look in the direction we want; we have the power to…
Over 250 million people are on Facebook. My own use of Facebook has changed. I used to check my friends every day, update my status at least that often. I changed my birthday after my brother told me he used the wrong one to thwart identity thieves. Everyone should all be careful about what information…
I had a great reason to join Facebook. My 16 year old daughter had joined. I like to keep track of my children. My use has changed over time. I used to put something up every day, check my friends more often. Then it happened. A former client asked to friend me. Well, I know,…
It is crunch time. Your income is down, your expenses are not. Your 401(k) is tapped out. Maybe you already filed bankruptcy, or your case is still pending. You are emotionally invested in your home, even if it looks like the foreclosed Detroit home in the picture. All of us homeowners are. Maybe we inherited…
Some still common myths about bankruptcy, in no particular order. ONE: My spouse has to file bankruptcy if I file. Uh, no, no one ever has to file bankruptcy. The law does provide for involuntary petitions, where creditors can get together and force a person or company into bankruptcy. But you can file without your…
We write mostly about specific issues and ways to improve family finances, what might be called micro issues by the economists. This post is a look at the macro picture, as it is referred to by the “dismal science” of economics. Massive fraud in mortgage documentation is coming to light across America. The Federal Reserve,…
Desperate homeowners facing foreclosure can be easy targets for con artists. They steer their victims away from bankruptcy attorneys: “Don’t ruin your credit!” Just like: “Contact us for free information about the secret the credit card companies don’t want you to know about!” Makes my blood boil. What sounds too good to be true, well,…
CBS news website says the parent company of the National Enquirer, among other publications, will file Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. How did that happen? The Associated Press story, (which also has the photo I used right here) says too much debt from borrowing when times were good. Why do people and businesses do that? Sometimes it…
