Stone Cold Cash » Personal Finance

About Mortgage Payments

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:18:12 +0000

My monthly mortgage payment is $500 (principal and interest). I sent a payment of $1,000 with the intent of applying the surplus to the principal, but the bank applied the entire surplus to the interest. Can it do this?

Generally, national banks will allow you to pay additional funds towards the principal balance of your loan.

Applying for a credit card by phone

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:50:18 +0000

I was contacted by phone to apply for a credit card. The solicitor discussed a low interest rate and I agreed. But when I received the loan/credit card, the rate was higher. Can the bank do that?

Yes. The solicitor should have explained the steps the bank will take once you apply. Generally, the bank will

How often can the bank change the rate on credit card account?

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:38:49 +0000

How often can the bank change the rate on my credit card account?

For credit card accounts that have a variable Annual Percentage Rate (APR or rate), the rate will adjust periodically based on the disclosed account terms. For variable rate accounts, a change in rate based on the bank’s agreement with you does not require

3 ways you can thwart identity thieves

SmartMoney — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Should you use a debit card or a credit card? Which retailers are safer? There are some big differences when it comes to cutting your potential

Taxes can take the shine off gold

Jeff Schnepper — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:43:00 +0000

You may have made a bundle off gold this year, but the tax bite might be bigger than you

Lies that could kill your life insurance

Insure.com — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:20:00 +0000

Insurance applicants often fudge on issues ranging from DUIs to drug use. But it's hard to hide baldfaced lies -- even though some folks go so far as shaving their

Lies that could kill your life insurance

Insure.com — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:20:00 +0000

Insurance applicants often fudge on issues ranging from DUIs to drug use. But it's hard to hide baldfaced lies -- even though some folks go so far as shaving their

Debt collectors are ready to deal

Liz Pulliam Weston — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:36:00 +0000

With more delinquent accounts and fewer people able to pay, collection agencies are more willing than ever to accept settlements. These tips will strengthen your

Read The Fine Print Before Giving A Gift Card

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:55:24 +0000

Read The Fine Print Before Giving A Gift Card

Some say that gift cards are once again poised to be among the most popular gifts this holiday season. Many believe gift cards’ popularity comes from being a convenient, flexible and relatively safe form of giving. But, along with all of these benefits, gift cards also come

Cash a check, maybe go to jail

Katherine Reynolds Lewis — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:22:00 +0000

Did you get conned into joining a check-cashing scam? Even if authorities decide you're an innocent victim, you could find yourself owing a bank thousands of

Are you foolish to pay your mortgage?

Liz Pulliam Weston — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:59:00 +0000

If you're 'underwater' on your mortgage, walking away might make sense, but when is it OK to set aside your responsibilities to your lender, your neighbors and

The no-cost funeral: Donate your body

Donna Freedman — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:28:00 +0000

You could save your loved ones thousands of dollars -- and your remains could help train doctors and contribute to medical

The return of the personal loan

SmartMoney — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:42:00 +0000

With home equity borrowing vaporized and credit card limits tightening, some banks are going back to the past. But getting a loan isn't