Consumer Finance Blog

Advice, tips, and insights for the average consumer
What does it mean to be financially literate? BudgetCredit CardsDebt Relief ProgramsFinancial AdviceFinancial TipsPersonal FinanceSaving MoneyUnsecured Debt

What does it mean to be financially literate?

Being financially literate means having a basic understanding of how money works and how to manage it effectively. It involves knowing how to create and follow a budget, how to save money, and how to invest wisely.  Financial literacy also involves understanding financial concepts such as interest rates, credit scores,…
Consumer First Financial
April 28, 2023
How do creditors and collectors find debtors? CollectionsDebt Relief ProgramsDebt SettlementFinancial AdviceFinancial TipsGet Out of DebtUnsecured Debt

How Do Creditors Find You? The Tricks of the Collections Industry.

I changed my contact information, how do creditors find me? In today's digital age, creditors and collectors are increasingly turning to sophisticated technologies to locate debtors and collect unpaid debts. With advancements in skip tracing software, automated dialing systems, location tracking tools, and social media monitoring, these collection agencies are…
Consumer First Financial
March 24, 2023
How to calculate your debt-to-income ratio. BudgetBuying PowercreditDebt Relief ProgramsFinancial AdviceFinancial TipsGet Out of DebtPersonal FinanceUnsecured Debt

Debt-to-Income: Is it as important as a credit score?

What is debt-to-income, and how do I calculate it? Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is a financial metric that compares an individual's total monthly debt payments to their gross monthly income. It is used to evaluate an individual's ability to manage their debt and is an important factor that lenders consider when…
Consumer First Financial
December 29, 2022
Consumer Creditcredit cardCredit CardsDebt Relief ProgramsDebt SettlementFinancial AdvicePersonal FinanceUnsecured Debt

The High Interest Debt Trap: Minimum Payments for Life.

High interest debt is great for your creditors, but not for you. Once a month, your credit card bill shows up. Depending on if you have this cost covered in your budget, sometimes it’s a surprise. Consumers have shifted over the years to using credit cards as cash, accounting for…
Consumer First Financial
December 20, 2022
consumer-buying-power-vs-credit-report Buying PowerConsumer CreditCredit CardsCredit ScoreFinancial AdviceFinancial TipsPersonal Finance

Consumer Buying Power & Credit Score: What’s the Difference?

Credit score and consumer buying power work together, but also stand alone. Confused? These two financial concepts are "must-know" concepts for all consumers. Both have influence on overall financial decisions, and both contribute to lending decisions. Briefly, credit is a structured accounting of your past financial dealings, with a score…
Consumer First Financial
October 30, 2022
How to dispute an error on your credit report Consumer CreditcreditFinancial AdviceFinancial TipsGet Out of DebtPersonal Finance

How to dispute an error on your credit report.

Your credit matters, learn how to dispute and error. Your credit report reflects vital information about… well, you. And, this isn’t limited to credit specific information. A credit report is a window into your past and present that lenders use to determine creditworthiness. Your credit report contains other information, too,…
Consumer First Financial
October 20, 2022