Author Archives: Site Administrator
Florida residents urged to save and cut back spending
What will you do with your tax return when it arrives? You may be tempted to spend it, but if you’re like at least three quarters of South Floridians (according to a poll by dealnews.com), you’ll be using your tax refund to pay down the balances from credit cards and other debt, or adding… Read More »
Should you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?
With many Florida homeowners continuing to experience financial challenges, filing for bankruptcy might seem like a good option to provide them some debt relief. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are two main forms of bankruptcy that may allow consumers struggling with debt to get back on their feet. Which type of bankruptcy to file… Read More »
Slow Florida foreclosure process can delay home price increases
Florida remains the leader in the nation’s foreclosures, and is also the state where home repossession takes the longest, lingering the court system for an average of 31 months. Some consumer advocates say this lengthy process is meant to benefit homeowners who are struggling with financial challenges. This could give them time to put… Read More »
New watchdog group to crack down on creditor harassment
Are you tired of dealing with collection agencies? If so, you’re not alone; more than 30 million consumers in the U.S. are the targets of collection agencies. As you may already be aware, some of their tactics go beyond annoying: Many bill collectors have been known to use aggressive and abusive tactics. One man… Read More »
High student loan rates can make paying down debts difficult
People in Florida who struggle with credit card debt and pay lots of interest in other types of loans may have had the opportunity to refinance their debt — sometimes avoiding personal bankruptcy in the process. But while people in Fort Lauderdale and around the country have been able to refinance mortgages, car loans… Read More »
Florida highest in growing identity theft problem
With so many people still facing serious financial challenges in this economy, criminals are getting bolder and more creative in their methods of stealing money and personal information. According to Equifax, identity theft is a growing problem that’s only expected to get worse. An official from Equifax says that identity fraud in the country… Read More »
Old law makes squatting tempting for some Florida residents
A U.S. law hundreds of years old may be a tempting option for some enterprising Floridians hoping to gain ownership of abandoned properties. With the highest foreclosure rate in the nation, hundreds of homes facing foreclosure are being abandoned, possibly for years, while banks go through the process of repossession. The law of adverse… Read More »
The “working poor” status is a growing problem in Florida
If you’ve been struggling to pay your bills like many Floridians, especially if you feel your situation has been growing worse for months, you may fit into a classification that economists call the “working poor.” This wage bracket includes low-income families with one or more people in the household who work, but as a… Read More »
Hillsborough County increases homestead exemptions for seniors
Senior citizens represent a large portion of Floridians who are particularly vulnerable in this difficult economy. Fortunately, there are a variety of state exemptions and other programs available to help those who are struggling. Most counties have at least a few programs for seniors and other groups with special needs from tax breaks for… Read More »
Florida homeowners associations going after banks for back fees
Florida abounds with empty homes that have been foreclosed on due to homeowners who have filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy or who have had trouble making their mortgage payments. This has resulted in a surprising turn of events in which homeowners associations are faced with lenders not maintaining the vacant properties they’ve taken over… Read More »