Shannon McNay Insler

9 Things You Need to Know About ChexSystems

September 21, 2018 by Shannon McNay Insler

nine things you need to know about chexsystems — Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

If you’ve ever had difficulty opening a checking account, then you’re probably all too aware of a company called ChexSystems. But how much do you really know about this company that happens to be scoring your banking behavior?

Just as consumers have credit scores that determine whether or not they will be approved for credit, consumers also have what we’ll call a “debit score” which helps determine whether or not they will be approved for a checking account. Want to learn more? Read on to learn nine things you need to know about ChexSystems, the keeper of your debit score.

What Actually Happens When You Bounce a Check

September 14, 2018 by Shannon McNay Insler

what happens when you bounce a check — Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

Ever wonder what happens if you bounce a check?

Although checks might seem to be a relic of the past, there are still enough companies slow to adopt modern payment technology that we’re required to keep a box of bank-labeled IOUs on hand. The problem is, the money from a check doesn’t leave our accounts right away, making them a bit harder to track.

Harder to track can meet a bounced check. And that could mean fees, frustration, and possibly even worse. Read on to find out what really happens when you bounce a check — and what you can do about it.

The 15 Most Expensive Natural Disasters in America

September 11, 2018 by Shannon McNay Insler

When a natural disaster comes our way, we can feel powerless to its effects. And those effects don’t just hurt our hometowns, but our pockets as well. 2017 alone was marked by 16 natural disasters in America causing $306 billion in damage. Now that we’re well into hurricane season, fears of further damage are getting very real on the East Coast.

The question is, how much do these individual disasters cost? Thanks to data from a report called the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2018), we now know. Using data from the NCEI, we’ve identified some of the costliest natural disasters to hit America since 1980.

7 Things Debt Collectors Can’t Do

September 7, 2018 by Shannon McNay Insler

When you have a debt that goes to collections, it can feel as though debt collectors will rule your life until it gets repaid. But thanks to the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), there are rules that debt collectors must follow when contacting you for repayment. Read on to learn what debt collectors can’t do so you’ll know how to protect your rights.

What Happens to Your Credit After a Natural Disaster

September 7, 2018 by Shannon McNay Insler

credit natural disaster — Photo by Pop & Zebra on Unsplash

If a natural disaster has disrupted your life, it might feel like things will never go back to normal. As if it weren’t difficult enough to see your home drastically altered in the blink of an eye, the process of rebuilding can be long and complicated. Making matters even more difficult, regular life continues to go on while you rebuild, including bills. So what happens to your credit after a natural disaster, and is there any help in paying your debt while you put your life back together? Let’s find out.

Can Student Loans Be Discharged Through Bankruptcy?

August 30, 2018 by Shannon McNay Insler

If you’re facing a mountain of student loan debt you feel you can hardly surmount, the thought of bankruptcy has probably crossed your mind before. Carrying this type of debt can sometimes feel as though there’s no way to move forward in life until the entire balance is demolished one way or another. But can student loans be discharged through bankruptcy? The short answer is: Usually no, but ultimately it depends. Here’s why.