Listen to the latest episodes of the Money Minute with Robert Palmer.
Money Minute: Can Credit Counseling Services be Trusted?
Sometimes, even the best of us need help — but when it comes to your finances, is it worth the cost?
With the rapid fall of the national economy still fresh in the minds of many American consumers, some have opted for the help of financial professionals and credit counseling services to help them pay off […]
Money Minute: Are Credit Monitoring Services Accurate?
Having a good credit score is important for consumers in the market to make a large purchase, such as a home or a car. However, the variety of different credit scores can confuse those who are unfamiliar with how they are calculated. Like one such Money Minute viewer who asks, “Why does my credit score […]
Money Minute: The Best Way You Can Be Saving for College
After the birth of your first child, it’s not long before you start looking forward to the many landmark moments that come with raising a family: baby’s first steps, first day of school, first date, first night out after 10 p.m. unsupervised. At the top of this list is undoubtedly the day they go off […]
Money Minute: Removing Medical Collections from Credit Reports
Credit card debt isn’t the only factor affecting your credit score. Medical collections can lower your credit score by as much as 100 points and play a big part in determining your interest rate on a new loan.
Unfortunately, paying off these collections rarely improves your score right away. To see a real improvement, you must […]
Money Minute: How to Get the Best Deal When Financing a New Car
Many consumers are unaware that they have options when it comes to financing a new car. But is it smarter to finance through the bank, or right through the dealership?
As host of the Money Minute radio show, RP Funding CEO Robert Palmer uses his expertise in the financial and real estate industries to answer […]
Money Minute: What Is Private Mortgage Insurance and How to Eliminate It
If you put less than 20 percent down on your home, most mortgage lenders will require you to pay for private mortgage insurance, or PMI. The lower your down payment, the higher your probability of default. To compensate for the increased risk, lenders require PMI to approve the loan, ensuring they will be protected if […]
Money Minute: Received a Credit Limit Increase? Here Are the Pros and Cons
Credit limit increases are not given by credit card companies lightly. They are a deliberate decision made based on a history of making your payments on time. If a company feels a credit increase would hinder your ability to make payments, they won’t give it to you. If you have recently been notified that the […]
Money Minute: Simultaneous Closing – the Best Way to Buy and Sell a House at the Same Time
Closing on a new home can be one of the most exciting times of your life. So exciting, in fact, that it’s not hard for people to get wrapped up in the moment and forget about the other side of the coin — selling the home you already have! That being said, a simultaneous closing […]
Money Minute: Should You Be Afraid to Check Your Credit Score?
Most big decisions in your life involve — and even depend on — your credit score. The rates on your car loan, mortgage, and new credit card all depend on this number. However, despite its significance, you may be afraid to check your credit score. This is because many consumers don’t know much […]
Money Minute: What Are Interest Rates and APRs, and How Do They Work?
The act of borrowing money always comes with an interest rate. Whether it’s getting a mortgage, applying for a student loan, or participating in a small monetary transaction involving your credit card, interest rates are going to be attached. But, exactly what are interest rates?
While interest rates are a part of financial life and nothing […]