http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/sandalwood.html Smart Money Connection www.destroydebt.com Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:27:07 GMT webmaster@destroydebt.com webmaster@destroydebt.com http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/sandalwood/64-a-free-investment-course.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/sandalwood/64-a-free-investment-course.html Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:27:07 GMT Rutgers Univ offers a free online investment course. It is oriented to the basics but, IMHO, worth the time. Check it out at: http://www.investing.rutgers.edu Who knows, you may become the next Warren Buffet. Besides, there is no such thing as too much information when it comes to investing/sa...
http://www.investing.rutgers.edu

Who knows, you may become the next Warren Buffet. Besides, there is no such thing as too much information when it comes to investing/saving/making money.]]> http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/sandalwood/28-another-resource-with-resources.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/sandalwood/28-another-resource-with-resources.html Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:40:38 GMT I publish another blog in which I talk about the current credit mess and foreclosure horror story unfolding before us among other topics. I have a tendency to post resources that are free and immediately useable. Everyone is invited to take a look and decide for themselves. For example, a po... blog in which I talk about the current credit mess and foreclosure horror story unfolding before us among other topics. I have a tendency to post resources that are free and immediately useable. Everyone is invited to take a look and decide for themselves.

For example, a post I made yesterday tells the difference between a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit. Some folks use these terms interchangeably when, in reality, they are quite different. If you know the difference between the types of loans, you can make a more informed decision on which one is right for you at that point in time.

One of the reasons many people got in trouble this go around is they didn't understand the loan they received. Having been a lender, I know first hand people will say they understand when they don't. This isn't good for the borrower or the lender. After all, the lender didn't wake up one morning and say lets make inappropriate loans to people so we can go broke.

Regardless, we are in a mess and one of the ways out of the mess is to become informed and then act accordingly. That way, we all win.]]> http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/sandalwood/24-you-can-do-it-if-you-try.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/sandalwood/24-you-can-do-it-if-you-try.html Sun, 25 Nov 2007 07:51:30 GMT I have helped a lot of people get out of debt and re-establish their once pristeen credit scores. It isn't easy and it takes time. To be successful, one must have a large dose of persistence. Our Ministries publishes a very low cost self help manual that is a step by step guide to stopping d...
Our Ministries publishes a very low cost self help manual that is a step by step guide to stopping debt collectors in their tracks, re-establishing your credit history and making the credit bureaus perform as the law requires. Again, it will take persistence because these entities have been screwing the consumer for so long they think they can keep doing it without any consequences.

The laws were passed to protect us from being violated. If we use the laws, we have a chance to right the wrongs. We believe once you have some success with your personal situation, you will want to help others. In fact, we encourage it. Take what you learn from us and go forth and help.

We can only get fair and just treatment if we are knowledgeable and hold the other side to obeying the laws as written. We also encourage everyone to share their successes. Nothing inspires like success.

Tom]]> http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/sandalwood/23-understanding-the-federal-credit-laws.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/sandalwood/23-understanding-the-federal-credit-laws.html Sun, 25 Nov 2007 07:26:19 GMT It was my experience as a mortgage banker that not many people who sat across the desk from me understood the credit laws. They mostly beieved the laws were written for the creditors, collection agencies and credit bureaus. That is 180 degrees out of phase. The laws were actually written to keep ...
The laws were actually written to keep collectors and credit bureaus in line so they wouldn't trample your rights. In fact, you can sue a collector in court if they do, or continue to do, certain things. Everyone in debt should visit, at the minimum, the FTC's website and read each of the credit laws. Then make every attempt to understand them.

Next, apply the law to your individual situation. For example, if you are being sued in court, use the law to make the collector prove his case. You'd be surprised to learn that in a lot of these suits, the collector can't prove up. If what I've been reading is correct, the collector will offer a settlement the day before you actually are scheduled to appear.

I know a lawyer who sues debt collectors and he says that these guys talk tough right up to the deadline. At that point in time, they mellow and try to negotiate a settlement. Regardless, the point is each of us should know the law, know how to apply the law and stick to our guns to force them to obey the law.

Just my 2¢.

 

Tom:)]]>