Money Fit In The News & Around The Web

I Am Refocused Radio – Host Shemaiah Reed discusses with Todd the important steps to take control of their personal finances, especially surrounding debt and credit-building topics.

Chasing Financial Freedom – Todd explores the joys and challenges of financial freedom with Ryan DeMent on this 35-minute podcast episode.

Spending Personalities on Money Talk with Tiff Podcast – With Tiffany the podcast host, Todd explores the different spending personalities we see in ourselves and others. Understanding our own spending tendencies helps us make better financial choices.

• Purchasing my first home on Ms. V The Storyteller Podcast – Todd joins host, Valeria Elliott, to discuss her story about buying her first home while also offering insightful advice from his own experiences.

• Getting out of the Negative on Cool Talks videocast – Todd joins host, Grady Cool, and co-host Jack to discuss the difference between wealth and riches as well as the ins and outs of consumer debt.

• My Type, Credit Scores & Gifts on Apple Podcasts – Todd joins Dave’s Head Podcast to discuss the credit scoring system and more.

• Money Fit Everyday Money for Everyday People on iTunes – Todd enjoys a fun and informational interview with Barbara Scully at the Connect FCS ED podcast.

• Money Fit Helps Negotiate Lower Interest Rates on Credit Card Debt at CardRates.com – This in-depth review of Money Fit focuses on our offered services and features our free financial education resources.

• Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems with SimplifyMagazine.com – Todd’s article is featured in the fee-based online magazine. He addresses 7 human tendencies that lead to financial troubles.

• Financial Tips for Newlyweds with MorNews.com – With 14 tips for couples wondering how to manage their newly formed financial union, this article offers great advice and food for thought. See tips 4-8 for a few of Todd’s recommendations.

• 12 Money Habits of Highly Effective Couples with ParentPortfolio.com – This article for couples links to our post about For Richer or for Poorer, noting that being rich is not a requirement for financially successful couples.

• Teaching Kids about Money: 9 Ways to Start with Finder.com – Todd shares ideas about how to use games to teach money principles to children.

• 17 Surprising Ways Penny-pinching Costs You More with MSN.com – MSN picked up this fun article that quotes Todd on the high cost of leasing a personal vehicle.

• Kids and Financial LIteracy with GreatDad.com – Watch this video/podcast of Paul Banas and our education manager, Todd Christensen, discussing how to teach kids age-appropriate money management lessons.

• How to Be Money Fit Parents & Children at RaisingFinancialFreedom.com – In episode #025 of this podcast (April 17, 2021), Todd shares ideas for teaching young children and teens about money. Tips include games to play and books to read.

• 5 Financial Planning Tips for Your Summer 2021 Family Road Trip at Parents.com – Todd offers recommendations about planning for gasoline if you have an upcoming road trip. For more, see our road trip calculator here.

• Debt Reduction Services and Money Fit Help Consumers Through Financial Education and Management at BadCredit.com – An in-depth review of the services our agency provides, including debt management, financial education, and counseling.

• How To Reset on Your Financial Goals for 2021 at GoBankingRates.com – Todd shares how and why good credit should be part of your financial goals for 2021. Through April 2021, you can get your free credit report every WEEK from the major consumer reporting agencies.

• Debt Collectors Will Soon Be Able to Slide Into Your DMS — Here’s What You Need to Know at ApartmentTherapy.com – Learn how to respond to a debt collector if they reach out to you via your social media accounts. Todd also shares concerns about the potential for fraud and scams as this new law goes into effect.

• How to Get a Cash Advance From Your Credit Card at Time.com/NextAdvisor – While credit card cash advances offer quick and convenient access to cash, they come at a very high cost. Todd and others address the ins and outs of credit card cash advances in this article.

• State Statutes of Limitation for Credit Card Debt at Time.com/NextAdvisor – What happens when the statute of limitations runs out on collectable debt? Todd answers this and other important debt questions in this article.

• What is a bad credit score? at CreditCards.com – In this insightful article, Todd refers to several credit behaviors that harm your credit score as well as to organizations that might use your credit, besides lenders, in business decisions.

• Credit Card Payments Down 25% During DOVID-19 Pandemic at Stilt.com – Todd describes “caveman finance mode” to explain why credit card usage drops during economic crises while savings rates go up.

• The 6 Best Store Credit Cards Worth a Spot in Your Wallet at GoBankingRates.com – Todd offers the single most important tip for avoiding debt and interest on store cards.

• Your Debt Can Expire. Here’s Why Running Out the Clock Is Not a Good Strategy at Time.com’s NextAdvisor – Even though collection calls have ceased, you might find interesting what Todd shares about how collection accounts get transferred from one agency to another, seemingly forever.

• More Money, More Problems? 7 Habits that Wreak Havoc with Our Finances highlighted at PersonalFinanceBlogs.com – PersonalFinanceBlogs.com chooses the best personal finance blogs each day to highlight on their site. We were honored to be featured on September 23.

• Why You Should Think Twice About Taking a Credit Card Cash Advance at Time.com’s NextAdvisor – Cash advances offer convenient and quick access to cash, but Todd reminds readers of their high cost and how they offer no grace period.

• Need Cash Fast? Payday Loans Offer a Solution but Should Be Your Last Report at Money.com – Todd shares how payday lenders focus on convenience over affordability, appealing to the population segment that values clarity and speed over traditional lending.

• Need Cash Fast? Payday Loans Offer a Solution but Should Be Your Last Report at MSN.com – Todd explains the conveniences of payday loans (quick, no credit check, etc.) along with the extreme financial dangers of getting into the payday loan cycle (annualized interest rate equivalent to nearly 400% APR).

• What to do if you can’t open a bank account at Bankrate.com – In this article, Todd recommend you consider looking for a Bank On program near you (JoinBankOn.org) if you feel you’ve been blacklisted by banks and credit unions. After taking a few hours of financial education courses, you can automatically qualify for a checking or savings account with participating financial institutions.

• Credit debt, bankruptcies down during coronavirus pandemic at NormanTranscript.com – During the pandemic, Todd advises we reevaluate our spending priorities, focusing on saving for the potential of future emergencies, on survival needs, then critical wants like transportation and cell phones, followed by lifestyle choices and, finally, long-term hopes and wishes like vacations and a new home.

• What should you do after your credit card application is denied? at Finder.com – Among the various panelists, Todd shares ideas for what to do if you feel your credit application was denied due to inaccurate information on your credit report.

• 5 Ways to Manage Your Money During Uncertain Times at ThePennyHoarder.com and YakimaHerald.com – During the pandemic, many creditors offered payment holidays, and many consumers wondered if they should pay down their debts or save for the future. Todd offers his professional opinion with an unexpected but resounding, “Save.”

• Should You File For Bankruptcy? Here’s What To Expect at Walletero.com – For anyone with questions about the bankruptcy-related certificates (credit counseling and debtor education), Todd offers answers and guidance for finding the “right fit” with the certificate provider.

• Do-It-Yourself Debt Relief Options at 2FrugalDudes.com – Listen to this 20-minute podcast about various ways to get out of debt on your own.

• Avalanche, Snowball, or Landslide – Which Credit Card Payoff Strategy Works Best? at Time.com’s NextAdvisor – In 2019, Todd coined the term, Debt Landslide, to describe a debt repayment approach that accelerates credit building. Writer Katie Collins includes the Landslide along with the traditional Snowball and Avalanche in this article, describing each of their unique advantages.

• Don’t Choose a New Bank without Checking Out the 7 Things at Time.com’s NextAdvisor – While emphasizing the importance of online reviews, Todd also highlights the value considering how a company responds to negative reviews.

• Knowing These 3 Credit Types Can Help You Master Your Credit Score at Time.com’s NextAdvisor – Todd shares how most consumers can build good credit withing one or two years with just a couple credit accounts.

• Pick the Right Bank Account to Match Your Savings Goal at Time.com’s NextAdvisor – Time quotes Todd’s long-time advice to his workshop attendees about having separate savings accounts for each of their savings goals (e.g. vacation, next vehicle)

• What a ‘Good’ Credit Score Really Means, and How You Can Get One at Time.com’s NextAdvisor – An excellent credit rating is not a number but the best terms a score can qualify you for, explains Todd in this piece.

• The Simple Dollar / Ask the Experts at thesimpledollar.com – Todd discusses advice he would give people who are taking out loans to make ends meet given the coronavirus pandemic.

• Choosing and Using the Right Type of Budget at FitMyMoney.com – The traditional budget, the refrigerator budget, and the Money Pie budget are just three of three of the types of personal and household spending plans Todd presents and reviews in this guest post at FitMyMoney.com.

• How to Help Your Kids Prepare for Financial Independence (at Every Age) at MoneyCrashers.com – When it comes to raising a financially-literacy generation, Todd recommends a weekly financial accountability session and a reality-based game using Monopoly money.

• 50 Ways to Prepare for a Recession at Cheapism.com – In tips 22 through 24, Todd shares ideas on minimizing vehicle payments, holding off on new jobs, and redirecting savings to your emergency fund.

• 7 Signs That Your Child Is Ready For A Debit Card at FamilyMoneyAdventure.com – Todd’s guest article goes through a 7-step process to determine whether teens (and even young adults) are ready for the responsibility of using and protecting a debit card.

• 4 Reasons Why Making a Minimum Payment Is Bad at dealnews.com – Todd explains how affording only minimum payments is a huge sign of major financial challenges facing the household now or in the near future.

• Is It Ever OK To Hide Money Or Bank Accounts From Your Spouse? at HuffPost.com – While hiding money or accounts from your spouse or partner is generally a sign of relationship trouble, Todd shares a few instances when you may need to hide accounts in order to protect both your partner and yourself.

• 7 Tips for Replacing Personal Credit with Business Credit at 365Business.com – Todd addresses the startup entrepreneur’s common struggle to replace personal credit with lenders by building business credit.

• 4 Best Strategies to Get out of Debt Fast (2020 Guide) at DollarBreak.com – Todd’s guest post presents four do-it-yourself strategies for getting out of debt fast.

• 529s and the Secure Act of 2019 at StudentLoanSherpa.com – Todd’s guest post explains the effects of the December 2019 SECURE Act on college savings 529 plans and how you may now use 529 funds for repaying existing student loans.

• Things You Didn’t Know about Inflation – 5 Experts Weigh In by CPIInflationCalculator.com – An understanding of the power of inflation can be critical to wise consumer choices, so Todd offers straight-forward explanations.

• The 6 Best Store Credit Cards Worth a Spot in Your Wallet by GoBankingRates.com – Todd recommends that, regardless of the rewards or benefits of the store cards, you never leave the store without paying off the credit purchase in full at the customer service desk.

• No money to donate on Giving Tuesday? Here are 9 free ways to give back by NBCNews.com – Citing Todd’s idea on using Amazon’s Smile version to give to charities without spending anything extra during the holidays, this article offers various ways to be charitable without spending another dime.

• 16 Expert Tips to Help You Prepare Your Credit and Finances for 2020 by BestCompany.com – If you are ready to learn some great tips for building your credit in 2020, check out the ideas form Todd and other credit experts on this post.

• How to Reduce Your Wedding Day Debt by WalletJoy.com – From looking at credit reports together before the wedding to attacking your debts together afterward, Todd offers various tips to minimize the pain debt can cause in new relationships.

• 12 Ways Grandparents Waste Money on Their Grandkids by Cheapism.com – Among the other suggestions, Todd offers a warning about gifting video games to children with compulsive tendencies and time management struggles.

• Figuring Out a Budget for Your College Student by NextAvenue.com and Forbes.com – Discussing the value of part-time jobs and the income they generate for college students, Todd notes some of their non-financial benefits.

• 8 tips to make smart decisions when borrowing for college by finder.com – Students and parents alike will find great ideas, tips, warnings and suggestions about how and when to use and not use student loans.

• Should You Replace Your Savings Account with Investment Apps? by Reviews.com – Todd offers recommendations on how to use a savings app to grow your savings funds.

• 17 Surprising Ways Penny-Pinching Costs You More by GoBankingRates.com – Find out why Todd recommends against leasing a vehicle, even when the monthly payment is lower than a monthly loan payment.

• A financial therapist says penny-pinching probably isn’t going to help you spend less, but the occasional splurge might by BusinessInsider.com – Todd provides a number of tips for avoiding spending splurges due to overly-restrictive personal and household budgets.

• The Heartbreak of Personal Loan Rejection: Top 5 Causes and Action Steps by BestCompany.com – When it comes to qualifying for a personal loan, Todd shares reasons for denials as well as a few practical tips.

• 12 Excellent Budgeting Advice Books at ImproveHerHealth.com – We are excited and humbled to see Everyday Money for Everyday People, our book by Money Fit education manager, Todd Christensen, listed at #2.

• 18 Books to Learn about the Intricacies of Money at Fupping.com – At #15 you will find Everyday Money for Everyday People by Money Fit education manager, Todd Christensen.

• To Finance or Not to Finance: A Guide to Big Purchases at OppLoans.com – Using his “Theme Park Analogy,” Todd describes the dramatic psychological differences between saving up for a large purchase and financing it first and paying for it later.

• Just Married: Financial Tips for Newlyweds at BestCompany.com – Todd reminds couples to include candid and non-judgmental discussions about credit when they talk about their finances.

• Will personal loans eclipse Americans’ credit card use? at CreditCards.com – While the regular, set monthly payments of personal loans can be easier to make than credit card monthly minimum payments that vary, Todd still recommends caution with any debt, even the three potentially beneficial loans he identifies in this article.

• 10 Ways to Save Money This Year at RocketHQ.com by Quicken Loans – Todd explains how our PowerCash principle can accelerate your savings without the pain of spending cuts.

• Your Guide to Budgeting for Healthcare Costs at Discover.com – When it comes to preparing for expected and unexpected medical expenses, Todd recommends prioritizing your healthcare costs with other needs.

• How to Get a Credit Card with Bad Credit at WalletJoy.com – Todd explains why so many first time applications for major credit cards are rejected and why it’s better to start small and local when building credit.

• Credit Horror Stories that will Keep You up at Night at Cheapism.com – Todd shares some of the hardest credit and debt stories to hear from his first 15 years as a financial educator, with lessons and warnings for all to learn.
• What to Do If a Bill Is Sent to a Collection Agency at HuffPost.com – Explaining options to getting help if you can’t pay your collection accounts on your own, Todd shares how credit counseling agencies work. and when bankruptcy might be the best option.
• 5 Conversations to Have Before Cosigning a Refinanced Student Loan at StudentLoanHero.com – Todd warns of some of the potentially negative consequences of cosigning loans for children and grandchildren.
• The High Cost of Bad Credit at SelfLender.com – Todd explains how credit can be a factor that influences your car insurance monthly premium.
• #FridayFollow: My Life. My Choices at AFCPE.org – The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education highlights Todd’s work in the field of personal finance education, including the development of Money Fit’s new online activity: My Life My Choices.
• Credit Repair: Pay Off Debt or Save Up for On-Time Payments in Urban Freedom Magazine – Offering four tangible directives to follow when you struggle with debt payments, Todd shares his recommendations for dealing with payments that are getting behind.
• What is Debt Consolidation and How Does it Work? by ZING! by Quicken Loans – Sharing how credit counseling can help consumers consolidate their debt payments and get out of debt, Todd also discusses the pitfalls of consolidating debt through balance transfers if the causes of the debt have not been addressed.

• Insurance Experts Are Split Over Aladdin’s Magic Carpet by Reviews.com – While experts believe Aladdin could qualify for insurance for his flying carpet, Todd has fun explaining all of the different ways the carpet puts Aladdin in risk pools that would be his policy unaffordable.

• Lost Your Wallet? 7 Steps to Take Now by ExhaleLifestyle.com – Losing a wallet is good grounds for panic, but Todd’s recommendations help alleviate (and even resolve) much of the associated stress.

• Busted: 5 myths about alternative credit data by CreditCards.com – While alternative credit scoring models are coming online more and more frequently, Todd shares how it is still up to the individual lenders to decide which scoring models they will adopt and which with will not use.

• How These Student Loan Borrowers Beat Their Money Anxieties by StudentLoanHero.com – Identifying concerns over relationships and money, Todd recommends the weekly financial huddle to minimize arguments over finances.

• Can Your Boss See Your Credit Score? by FinanceBuzz – Todd recommends a few steps to take to clean up your credit report prior to applying for a job.

• The Ultimate Financial Guide for College Grads by TermLife2Go.com – For recent college graduates, Todd recommends the Money Fit Money Fit budget that puts all monthly spending into one of just 6 categories. Simple and effective.

• What is a Soft Credit Check? by OppLoans.com – Todd differentiates between soft (passive) and hard (active) credit checks and how to opt out of promotional offers.

• 13 Deals That Are Too Good To Be True by GoBankingRates.com – In deal #5, Todd explains why leasing a vehicle is a poor (and expensive) financial decision for individuals.

• Here’s How to Freeze Your Credit for Free (And Why You Should) by ApartmentTherapy.com – Todd explains some of the ins and outs of the new right you have to freeze and thaw your credit reports.

• The 1 Thing Most People Get Wrong About Their Credit Score by ApartmentTherapy.com – Todd tackles the question of why you scores (you have more than one) might differ.

• So You’re Considering Bankruptcy… Now What? by OppLoans.com – Todd outlines the general steps involved in filing for bankruptcy.

• How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt by OppLoans.com – Todd provides insight into several steps for accelerating credit card debt pay off.

• Financial Basics: How to Use Credit Responsibly by OppLoans.com – Todd shares insight about what makes some lines of credit potentially beneficial while others are harmful.

• 6 Great Reasons to Check Your Credit Report by OppLoans.com – Todd weighs in on the first reason why checking your credit is so important. There is a lot more riding on your credit than just getting qualified for a loan at a good interest rate.

• 37 Experts Share How to Achieve Your Financial and Money Goals by ItsAllYouBoo.com – Amanda and Todd contribute to the list of powerful tips that increase your chances of achieving important financial goals.

• What to Do When Your Car Loan Is Higher Than the Value of the Car by Mint.com – Todd warns automobile owners who are upside-down on their loans to avoid rolling their debt into a new vehicle.

• Simple Interest Examples by OppU at OppLoans.com – Todd encourages savings accounts for use as places to “park” money safely, not as wealthy-building accounts.

• Cut Your Rewards Card Into Tiny Pieces by ChrisElliott.com – Todd counters the fallacy that rewards cards prey upon low income customers to finance high income earners.

• 10 Single-parent Money Challenges and Solutions by MassMutual.com – Todd notes the financial difficulties for single parents caused by the fact that only half of child support payments are ever made.

• ‘Good Debt’ vs. ‘Bad Debt’ by TheSimpleDollar.com – Todd redefines debt as potentially beneficial, practical and bad, rather than the overly simplistic good and bad debt dichotomy.

• How to Handle Debt Collection Scams by OppLoans.com – Todd explains several easy ways to identify a debt collection scam and what to do if you become their target.

• Expert Advice: How to Care for Your Child’s Credit by BestCompany.com – Todd shares his four rules to help parents and young adults know when they are ready for their first credit card.

• Americans Over 60 Hold A Third Of National Credit Card Debt by AARP.com – Todd gives advice on how adults can whittle down their credit card debt and get back on top of their finances.

• Simple Interest Examples by opploans.com – Todd explains how simple interest works and tries to keep it…SIMPLE!

• How Paying Off A Loan Can Hurt Your Credit Score by opploans.com – Todd provides insight on how paying off a loan may impact an individuals credit score.

• Why Americans Are Late On Their Car Payments by fair.com – Todd discusses how many bankruptcy filers have vehicle payment problems that factor into their filing decisions.

• What You Should Know About Credit by the Time You Turn 25 by bestcompany.com – Todd lists his 3 rules a young adult should live by before applying for a credit card.

• How Do I Budget When My Partner Is A Spender? by womenwhomoney.com – Amanda writes a guest post tackling the topic of working with partners who spend and might not be so budget focused.

• Five Alternatives to Savings Accounts (Besides Under Your Mattress) by TheSimpleDollar.com – Todd explains what brokerage accounts are for.

• Are Paper Checks Still Necessary? Why the Checkbook is Becoming Obsolete by mic.com – Todd explains why debit transactions are easier for consumers than writing checks.

• Save More Money With These 40 Expert Tips by opploans.com – Todd shares why starting with a change jar can help an individual save money.

• A Whole New Credit Score Is Coming—Are You Prepared? by realtor.com – Todd mentions how the UltraFICO may not help those Americans (in the 60 percentile) that have nothing in their savings.

• From Collections to Repossession: A Timeline of Debt by business.com – Todd comments on how a collection agency may proceed once a debt has gone to charge-off status.

• Surprising Things That Can Affect Your Credit Score by bestcompany.com – Todd sheds light on things you might not think would harm your credit.

• The Worst Savings Advice Experts Have Ever Heard by apartmenttherapy.com – Todd provides insight as to why he thinks just saving whatever’s left over from your paycheck is a bad idea.

• Tips to Achieving Financial Goals as a Couple by fiscallysound.com – Todd writes a guest post about working together as a couple to achieve financial goals for our friend Anthony over at Fiscally $ound.

• What is VantageScore? by opploans.com – Money Fit’s Financial Educator, Todd Christensen, discusses the origins of VantageScore.

• How to Decide Whether to Work With a Credit Counselor by havenlife.com – Todd Christensen contributes to this well written article that discusses what to look for when seeking a credit counseling service.

• This Is What Happens to Your Credit Score When You Only Use Your Debit Card by apartmenttherapy.com – Todd shares his thoughts on what happens to your credit when you only use your debt card.

• What’s the Most Important Part of Your Credit Score? by opploans.com – Todd discusses how to use a credit card…carefully!

• 2019 Balance Transfer Card Survey by creditcards.com – Todd Christensen discusses how credit card balance transfers can catch us off guard.