Atlanta Bankruptcy Attorney Blog

The average New Year's resolution involves either bettering your health, improving your finances or kicking a bad habit. But why settle for just one when you can accomplish all three?

Sure, it might sound a little ambitious. But it can be done by making just one simple change, say Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys. And that's getting out of debt.

Continue reading "Debt-Free in 2011 Part I: Making a Financial New Year's Resolution" »

If you've got some time off after Christmas, you probably want to kick back and relax, not work. But there's a reason you might want to spend your downtime doing a little post-holiday housekeeping, say Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys.

By clearing out stuff that you don't need and donating it to charity before January 1, you can save money on your taxes - and if you're really lucky, increase your tax refund.

Continue reading "Donating Unused Goods Can Help Atlanta Taxpayers Save Money Next Year" »

I don't know about you, but I'm always a little sad once all the Christmas presents have been opened and family and friends have gone home. Fortunately I've discovered a way to keep the holiday spirit around after the holidays: gift cards.

I realize that gift cards are old news by now. In fact, cards are by far the most requested and received Christmas gift, according to the National Retail Federation - probably because people like the freedom to choose their own presents. But the amount of utility we get from gift cards varies wildly depending on how we use them. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, a little planning goes a long way, advise Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys.

Continue reading "How Atlanta Residents Can Stretch Gift Card Dollars This Christmas" »

Many workers hoping for a bonus from their employers this month received something a lot less pleasant: a memo stating that their health insurance premium will go up next year.

Health insurance companies are raising rates on employers, who are in turn passing the costs on to us. Insurers often place blame on expenses associated with healthcare reform, but the truth is, health costs have increased every January for years. We should be used to it by now - but that doesn't make it any less painful for those of us who are already struggling to pay the bills as it is, say Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys.

Fortunately, we still have some say in the matter.

Continue reading "Health Insurance Companies Increase Premiums for Atlanta Employees" »

If you thought the Grinch was a mean one, wait until you hear about Christmas card financial scam artists.

You know those e-cards you get from family, friends and co-workers? The ones that feature pretty winter scenes, Christmas trees you can decorate with a point-and-click of your mouse or creepy dancing elves you can personalize with your own face? Well, now they might feature something else - spyware that can infect your computer and steal your identity, according to Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys.

Continue reading "Atlanta Computer Users Fall For Holiday Greeting Card Scam" »

If you're barely able to afford paying the mortgage and putting gas in your car, surely you're not going to splurge on stuff you don't even need, right?

Or will you? Americans might be cutting back in most areas, but they're spending more than ever on infomercial products - things like ab machines, spray tan bottles and the infamous Snuggies. So why are we spending our dwindling dollars on "As Seen on TV" merchandise that may not even work? It's all in the sales pitch, say Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys.

Continue reading "More Atlanta Shoppers Buying Into Infomercials In Spite of Debt" »

How can you help others when you can barely help yourself? It's a question on the minds of many Americans as we pass the Salvation Army red kettle and toss the requests for donations that pile up in the mailbox this holiday season.

But there are ways to give to charity even when times are tough, say Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys. Just ask the nearly two-thirds of Americans who plan to donate before the year is out, despite tough economic times that make paying the mortgage and credit card bills extra difficult. Even though more than 80 percent in a recent survey said they have the same amount or less money than last year, more than 70 percent say they will give the same or more as last year. So how do they do it?

Continue reading "Atlanta Residents Still Find Time and Money to Donate to Charity Despite Downturn" »

With most Americans deep in debt, credit card issuers know it's no longer enough to simply send out credit card offers.

Increasingly, they're including 0% interest balance transfer checks with those promotions to sweeten the deal. By filling out a check, you can supposedly transfer your balance from a high-interest credit card - for instance, 25% or more - to an account that charges no interest for an introductory period. At first it sounds like a no-brainer. I mean, who wouldn't want to pay zero-percent interest? But the offer may be too good to be true, warn Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys.

Continue reading "Paying Off Debt With 0% Interest Balance Transfer Checks" »

In the classic holiday battle for our hard-earned dollars, consumers seem to have the upper hand over retailers this year.

That's because, for the first time in decades, Christmas shoppers are choosing to spend with cash rather than credit, say Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys. TransUnion reported an 11 percent drop in major credit card use compared to this time last year. And the rate of shoppers using credit during the Black Friday weekend was the lowest in the 27 years since an annual survey began tracking our holiday spending habits. It seems that consumers are finally catching on stores' holiday tricks.

Continue reading "Atlanta Shoppers Choose Cash Instead of Credit Cards in Stores This Season" »

What would you do with an extra $1,000 or more a year? You might be about to find out.

Part of the tax plan between President Obama and Congressional Republicans includes a 2 percent cut in Social Security payroll taxes. So if you're making $60,000 annually, for instance, you'll get to keep an additional $1,200 of your income each year. In the great scheme of things, it might seem like a fairly insignificant amount - but it depends on how you use it, say Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys.

Continue reading "Tax Cut Agreement Could Help Atlanta Workers Lower Debt" »

A new washing machine is the really expensive equivalent of getting a pair of socks or underwear for Christmas. It's not fun per se, but it's useful - especially if you can buy said washing machine before Dec. 31.

For the past 24 months, shoppers have been able to get back 30 percent - or up to $1,500 - of the money spent on energy-efficient products like dishwashers, windows, refrigerators and more. It's been an easy way for short-on-cash Americans to upgrade to modern and more environmentally-friendly appliances, say Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys. But it's about to disappear. To get the discount, homeowners must have eligible products installed and ready to go by the last day of 2010.

Continue reading "Atlanta Shoppers Take Advantage of Expiring Credit for New Appliances" »

Freddie Mac is feeling more Santa than Scrooge this season - if for only a brief period of time.

For the third year in a row, the government-backed mortgage giant plans to stop foreclosure evictions between Dec. 20 and Jan. 4. It's good news for seriously delinquent homeowners who might have otherwise lost the roof over their head during the holiday. Unfortunately, say Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys, it won't do anything to stop folks from losing their homes after the start of the New Year.

Continue reading "Foreclosures Stop Temporarily for Atlanta Homeowners " »

Remember when having a million dollars meant you were filthy stinkin' rich? Now it just means you have enough to live modestly - though probably still comfortably - when you retire.

Being a millionaire has lost some of its allure. That's the bad news. The good news? It's still pretty sweet to have a million bucks to draw on in your retirement. And getting there is easier than ever before, say Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys. It just requires that we stop adding to our debt problem and instead start adding to our nest egg.

Continue reading "How Making a Million Dollars By Retirement Is Possible For Atlanta Savers" »