Debt 101 : from interest rates and credit scores to student loans and debt payoff strategies, an essential primer on managing debt

Summary:

"The key to borrowing, managing, and paying off debt is understanding what it is, how it works and how it can affect your finances and your life. Debt 101 is the easy-to-follow guide to discovering how to pay off the debt you have plus learning how to use debt to your advantage. Debt 101 allows you to take control of your money with strategies best suited for your personal financial situation-whether you are buying a home or paying off student loans. You will learn the ins and outs of borrowing in a simple, straightforward manner, managing student loans and credit card debt, improving your credit score, understanding interest rates, good debt vs. bad debt, and so much more. Finally, you can get ahead of the incoming bills and never let your debt intimidate you again!"-- Provided by publisher.

Record details

ISBN: 9781507212660
ISBN: 1507212666
Physical Description: 254 pages : color illustrations ; 19 cm.
Edition: First Adams Media hardcover edition.
Publisher: New York : Adams Media, 2020.

Content descriptions

General Note:

Includes index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Introduction -- Chapter 1. How loans work ; A brief history of debt -- Terms & conditions -- Amoritization -- Different types of debt -- Predatory lending -- Chapter 2. The right way to borrow money ; Borrowing versus debt -- Credit building comes first -- Assets versus expenses -- Making money on the deal -- Building a business -- Chapter 3. Student loans ; Minimize your college costs -- Filling out the FAFSA -- How student loans work -- Going deeper on federal loans -- Making the payments -- Consolidating and refinancing -- Chapter 4. Credit cards ; How credit cards work -- Different types of cards -- The costs of credit cards -- Use your credit card effectively -- Balance transfers -- Getting out of credit card debt -- Chapter 5. Mortgages ; Right-size your mortgage -- Save up for a substantial down payment -- Fixed versus ARM -- Thirty year versus fifteen year -- Find the best lender -- Refinancing and prepayments -- Chapter 6. Other types of debt ; Car loans -- HEL/HELOCS -- Personal loans -- Payday loans -- Medical debt -- Business loans -- Chapter 7. Paying off debt ; Prioritize your debt -- Effective paydown plans -- Get the right help -- Dealing with collections -- Understand bankruptcy -- Chapter 8. Living debt-free (doesn't mean no borrowing) ; Wealth building -- Faster retirement savings -- Maintain an excellent credit score -- Rewards cards/credit card advantages -- Investing (in properties, etc.) but not gambling (margin accounts) -- Chapter 9. The other side of debt/be the bank ; Investing in debt -- Buy bonds -- Mortgage reits -- Peer-to-peer lending -- Hard money lending (trust deed investing).