Dec 12
This week, many November numbers about money and credit were released, with some surprising findings. Here’s a summary of a few important figures.
November Consumer Bankruptcy Filings Down 18 Percent
The American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) reports that personal bankruptcy filings decreased 18 percent last month, compared to October’s numbers. Specifically:
Total filings: 112,152 consumers filed for bankruptcy in November 2009, compared with 135,913 in October. Increase from 2008: A year ago, in November 2008, 99,925 consumers filed for bankruptcy. This year’s figure represents a 12 percent jump. Chapt
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Dec 11
The Washington Post article: Raffle winner sells $1.2 million home at a bargain tells the tale of Karen McHale, 47, of Colorado who purchased two $50 raffle tickets for a chance to win a $1.2 million dollar home in Maryland. She ended up with the winning ticket, but selling the home proved problematic. In the end she walked away with $200,000.
McHale said she bought two raffle tickets last year as a contribution to an Annapolis-based charity that was co-sponsoring the contest. The raffle venture came about when a mortgage broker teamed up with We Care and Friends, which helps at-risk youths, to sell his home.
A week after one of those tickets was chosen as the winner, McHale lost her job as a chemical engineer.
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Dec 11
Upcoming federal credit card reforms are intended to make debt management easier for people, but one consumer group is warning that lenders are already using a variety of tricks to continue maximizing their profits.
According to the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), consumers are finding it very difficult to gauge the true cost of their credit card debt due to a variety of tricks aimed at replacing the more straightforward penalty interest rates and late fees that have become increasingly common in recent years. Read more…
Dec 11
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Did you know that the largest life carriers have made it more affordable in some instances to buy life insurance if you use alternate tobacco. The carriers have decided that cigarettes have a much higher effect on your mortality over chew, cigars or pipes.
Chewing tobacco life insurance
What this means to you is that it is possible to find truly affordable Chewing Tobacco Life Insurance, Term and or Permanent Life Insurance coverage that wont break the bank. Chewing is not as bad as smoking with a number of the best life insurance companies and you may qualify for non tobacco premiums.
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Dec 09
Looking for a cheap funeral? Donate your body to science, and you may not have to pay a dime. That sounds crass, I know. But even a basic interment averages about $6,200 these days, and some people worry about the financial burden it places on their families. 
Whole-body donation
I’m one of those people. I want to be cremated (not yet!), which in the Seattle area could cost as little as $600. But my estate is fairly modest, and my only child is disabled because of a chronic health condition. Read more…