When New Debt Might Be the Right Choice
One common money myth is that credit should always be avoided. There are a number of scenarios where new debt may be the best option, but sometimes it’s just hard to tell. No Debt about It Some...
View Article6 Pieces of Bad Financial Advice to Avoid
Most of us have made mistakes when it comes to money—and have questioned if we should have saved a little more or spent a little less. The upside of making money mistakes is that we can learn from...
View ArticleHow to Motivate Yourself to Get Out of Debt
The first step to get out of debt is motivating yourself to take action. It’s easy to let yourself feel overwhelmed with guilt while bills continue to arrive in the mail. At CESI, we find the...
View ArticleProtecting Your Kids From Identity Theft
Knowing how to protect your kids from identity theft is crucial information to know to safeguard their futures. If their identities are stolen when they are children, it can cause them problems in the...
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Paycheck In Hand? 5 Payday Habits You Should Develop Now
When payday rolls around, whether it’s every month, every two weeks, or every 7 days, you may feel an inner struggle between what you want to do with your cash versus what you know you should do with...
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Rent-to-Own: How Your $700 Computer Can End Up Costing You $2,000
Most of us would quickly run the other way if a merchant told us they were going to charge us $2,000 for an item that is only worth $700, right? Our response, and rightly so, would probably be...
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Just Say NO to These 5 Credit Myths
Debt is a problem for a lot of people, and it often starts with misconceptions about smart ways to use credit ( a.k.a. credit myths.) The truth is, credit cards can be an effective tool, or your worst...
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Have Credit? Seven Ways to Use Credit Wisely
Household debt can be a constant worry for many Americans, who agonize over how they’ll cover everything from daily bus fares to their rent or mortgage. The good news is that fewer households have...
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5 Simple Ways to Boost Your Credit Health
Your credit score is kind of like your school grade point average. It’s a score that grades your credit worthiness and how you measure up to other credit card holders. The average credit score hovers...
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8 Signs You Need Help Managing Debt Infographic
It may be tempting to think ignorance is bliss when it comes to debt. Debt makes us uncomfortable and it can cause us to feel out of control. Ignoring debt and thinking it will take care of itself is...
View ArticleHow To Talk Retirement Savings With Your Parents: 6 Essential Tips
Most people get the bulk of their financial lessons from their parents. As you grow up, the older generation is there to explain how money works, what banks do, how interest can help or hinder you, and...
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Got Debt? You Still Have Rights When Collectors Call
So you owe some money. Maybe a lot of money. And now, you’re afraid to pick up the phone, take in the mail and even open the door for fear that a collector is, once again, trying to contact you. If you...
View ArticleThankful for Debt?
Debt is a huge drain on many Americans. In fact, one recent survey found that only 20 percent of Americans have no debt at all. The other 80 percent may feel as if they slog away with a never-ending...
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Buying a Home: Your Six Month Checklist
Buying a home isn’t a quick process. You can’t just walk into a real estate agent’s office, browse your options, then walk out owning a home. At a minimum, it’s a good idea to give yourself at least...
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Beware of Holiday Scams
Fraudsters take advantage of holiday cheer It’s hard to put an exact dollar figure on how much consumers lose from scams, but, according to one report, the Federal Trade Commission estimated that there...
View ArticleGiving Thoughtfully: Why “Generous” Gifts Aren’t Always the Best
There’s a lot of “wonder” during the holiday season, but not the kind they sing about in Christmas carols or talk about in holiday TV specials. Instead, people wonder if they can afford much of...
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Less is More: Four Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Overdo Children’s Gifts
Every year, Toys “R” Us publishes its “hot toy list,” dubbed the “only hot toy list that matters.” “Introducing the Fabulous 15,” the toy store chain’s website blares, “this year’s sure-to-be, Wish...
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Paying Off Debt In The New Year
Is a formal debt management plan the answer? We might be saying so long to 2016, but many Americans won’t be starting the new year with a clean slate. They face months -- and years -- of credit card...
View ArticleTop 10 Posts of 2016
As a leading financial education and debt management provider, CESI is committed to providing informative content to consumers and clients through the CESI blog. As we begin a fresh year, we have taken...
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Deferred-interest Credit Cards – Too Good To Be True?
Big risks possible with ‘deferred interest’ credit cards The next time you’re offered a “great deal” on a credit card that puts off interest payments until months or years later, it might be best to...
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