Personal Finance
Towards a Healthier Financial Future
Topic: "Debt"
← Curating the web to find the most interesting and helpful
information about your money.
Did you know?
According to Sallie Mae’s How America Saves For College, families reported spending an average of $28,026 on college in the academic year 2022-23, an 11% increase from $25,313 in 2021-22.
How America Pays for College 2023 →Word of the week
Collateral
Capital or asset pledged to a bank or other lender in the event that the borrower is unable to make all of the repayment instalments on a loan.
Collateral Definition, Types, & Examples →Word of the week
Creditworthiness
The term "creditworthiness" describes the degree of a lender's trust in a borrower's capacity to return a loan. The borrower's creditworthiness is mostly based on how successfully they have handled their prior financial commitments.
Discover how long it would take to pay down your credit card with our free credit card payoff calculator →Infographic of the week
Ranked: Median Student Debt for a U.S. College Degree
According to the Federal Reserve, student loans added up to $1.6 trillion in Q2 2023, making them the third largest category of U.S. household debt behind auto loans ($1.8 trillion) and mortgages ($12 trillion).
The Visual Capitalist ranks student debt by U.S. college degrees →Saving
A shame-free guide to digging out of debt
NPR Life Kit: In this episode, they offer shame-free solutions for digging out of debt →Did you know?
According to the latest figures from Experian, the average American has 3.84 credit cards with an average credit limit of $30,365.
Don’t let credit cards rule your life. Use our free credit card pay down calculator to help you plan for a brighter future →Did you know?
In 1950, Diners Club introduced the first payment system resembling a credit card. This wasn't a real credit card, though. It was a charge card instead, and the cardholder was expected to pay the whole debt each month.
Use our credit card payoff calculator to help you plan for a brighter future →Word of the week
Amortization
The amortization period is the length of time it takes to pay off a mortgage in full. The amortization is an estimate based on the interest rate for your current term.
Learn more on how your amortization period affects your costs →Word of the week
Credit Limit
The most you can spend with your credit card is determined by your credit limit. When you first receive a credit card, the issuer sets your limit. You can request a decrease or increase.
What Is a Credit Limit? How It's Determined and How to Increase It →Word of the week
Credit Utilization Ratio
A comparison of your available credit to how much you have actually utilized. A good credit score can be attributed to a low utilization ratio. The ideal target is to use 30% or less of your available credit.
You can view your personal ratio with our Health Check →Fun stuff
"Just a dollar down and a dollar a week You can get all the things you seek For a dollar down and a dollar a week"
Which artist is #1 on our Neontrack playlist this week?
Listen to our Neontrack playlist when you have music and money on your mind.
Word of the week
Overdraft
An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough money in your bank account to cover a payment or withdrawal. These transactions may include: - Debit purchases - Bill payments and pre-authorized debits - Cheques - Withdrawals - Transfers between bank accounts
Learn more about getting overdraft protection →Word of the week
FICO
The three-digit FICO Score, or a Beacon Score, determines whether your credit is good or bad. Fair Isaac & Company, also known as FICO, is a US-based business that sells Equifax and TransUnion Canada their unique rating system. When you apply for credit, lenders can quickly and reliably learn details about your finances thanks to the FICO Score.
Getting your credit report and credit score →Word of the week
Credit
Credit is money that you may borrow from someone (like a bank or credit card company). You must consent to repaying them on a predetermined timeline, typically with interest, by signing an agreement. The four basic types of credit: - Revolving credit - Charge credit - Instalment credit - Service credit Each serves a different purpose and works in a different way.
Learn more about credit and why credit scores are important →Did you know?
Credit card and auto loan missed payments increased by 19% in the first quarter of 2023, according to Equifax, as Canadians struggled to keep up with rising living expenses and interest rates.
Don’t let credit cards rule your life. Our credit card paydown calculator will help you plan for a brighter future →Serious Stuff
Why you got into debt, and how to get out "Between massive mortgages, student loans, lines of credit and credit cards, a lot of us are struggling to pay what we owe and stressed about it."
Podcast: Why you got into debt, and how to get out →Word of the week
Cost of Borrowing
The total cost for you to borrow money. This includes the principal amount of the loan, interest, fees and any other costs associated with the loan.
Keep track of all your debt and the true cost of borrowing →Fun stuff
"Well, I went to my brother to ask for a loan 'Cause I was busted I hate to beg like a dog without his bone But I'm busted, I'll tell ya"
Which artist is #1 on our Neontrack playlist this week?
Listen to our Neontrack playlist when you have music and money on your mind.
Word of the week
Credit Score
"Your credit score is a three-digit number that comes from the information in your credit report. It shows how well you manage credit and how risky it would be for a lender to lend you money. Your credit score is calculated using a formula based on your credit report. Note that you: - get points if you use your credit responsibly - lose points if you have trouble managing your credit Your credit score will change over time as your credit report is updated."
Learn more about your credit score →