Student Loan Debt Has a Huge Impact On Financial Stability
Many people start their adult lives saddled with thousands of dollars in student loan debt that they will have to pay off. Add in a graduate or professional degree,...

Bankrate's Debt Adviser: Credit card debt vs. emergency fund (Bankrate.com via Yahoo! Finance)
Actually, says the Debt Adviser, you need to begin with a budget. Without one, you won't have money for either debt or savings .

International Credit Card Operation Settles FTC Charges
3R Bancorp and its co-defendants have agreed to pay $1.85 million in redress to consumers, as well as stop its illegal practices - which include falsely promising consumers a “guaranteed”...

More credit, more options
by Scott Bilker Credit options are your weapon against the banks! The key to success is using your credit lines to save money--not to go crazy spending! (I know you won't go crazy spending because you're DebtSmart, but I had to mention that anyway.) I've found a few more good credit deals that I want to bring to your attention. If you have high-rate debt, then you should apply online now and transfer your balances to some of these cards. (Or search...

New program gives insight into leadership (The News Sun)
ROUND LAKE BEACH — Apart from Sylvia Valadez, the Round Lake Beach village clerk, there are few elected Latino leaders in the Round Lake area.

Bad Customer Service
by Chris Peruzzi I don't like getting calls at 8AM at work or at home. Obviously, there's nothing I can do about the work calls but the home calls, I'd like to think that this is an open invitation to be rude. Normally, I will vent my displeasure at the calling party unless they are family or a very, very, very, dear friend. And even then, the calling party should prepare him or herself for the slew of foggy insults...

How do you want to live?
by Scott Bilker People always ask kids, "What do you want to do/be when you grow up?" I'm sure you remember the question well. A fireman, policeman, scientist, doctor, social worker, teacher, superhero, etc. The truth is that people have many interests and talents. Someone may be just as happy being a lawyer as a teacher. That's why I believe the better question to ask is "How do you want to live?" Do you want to live in a mansion? Do...