Staff Writer
Maureen Milliken
Maureen Milliken has been writing about finance, banking, investment, entrepreneurship, real estate and other related topics for more than 30 years. She started as the “Business Beat” columnist for the now-defunct Haverhill (Mass.) Gazette and currently is one of the hosts of the Mainebiz business-focused podcast, “The Day that Changed Everything” in addition to her daily writing. She also is is the author of three mystery novels and two nonfiction books.
It is so easy to use credit cards that many people charge without much thought. Then, suddenly, the card is maxed out and even paying minimum monthly payments doesn’t make…
It may seem counter-intuitive to open a new credit card to solve a credit card debt problem, but a balance transfer card is not just intuitive, it’s a great option…
If you are living paycheck to paycheck, or have more debt than you can pay, one of the consequences may be a tax bill that you can’t afford. If you…
One of the common ways to consolidate debt is with a low interest debt consolidation loan that would be used to eliminate high interest credit card debt. Ideally, debt consolidation…
A surprise tax bill can happen to anyone. One windfall or miscalculation in your payroll withholding, and suddenly you’re not getting a tax refund, but finding out that you owe…
If you live paycheck to paycheck, cash advance apps are a tempting solution to short-term money problems, such as rent, car trouble, or any other financial emergency that requires cash.…
The “fresh start” that Chapter 7 bankruptcy promises people who have more debt than they can pay, is not guaranteed. Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be denied, possibly for reasons that…
A bankruptcy trustee oversees a bankruptcy filing and plays a major role in determining if a case goes forward. Trustees are appointed by the bankruptcy judge to look for assets…
Having too much credit card debt is never fun but living on a fixed income and worrying that your Social Security benefits may be garnished to pay that debt adds…
Credit card debt in the U.S. increased 15% in 2022, the biggest one-year leap in almost 20 years. The number of people who are at least 30 days behind on…
If your debt is out of hand, you’re not alone. America’s household debt is steadily increasing, up to a record $16 trillion in 2022. Credit cards are a big part…
Bankruptcy is a legal process that can provide financial relief to a person or business that is unable to pay their outstanding debts. It is not a “simple” legal process.…
Debt Relief Programs in Illinois Illinois residents who are looking for help with debt can find it through banks, credit unions, online lenders and debt-relief companies (both nonprofit credit counseling…
Most people who file for bankruptcy because of personal debt file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a four-to-six month process that, in theory, “liquidates” a person’s assets to pay off their unsecured…
Filing for bankruptcy is scary stuff, and scarier still if hanging onto your car is among your chief concerns. All that talk about “liquidation” is enough to put anyone on…
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy usually takes about four to six months from filing to final discharge, as long as the person who’s filing has all their ducks in a row.…
Filing for bankruptcy isn’t always a decision made of utter desperation. Sometimes it’s a reasonable way to hit the reset button financially and it offers the immediate benefit of an…
Filing for bankruptcy comes with many questions and fears, but one of the biggest for homeowners is “Will I lose my house if I file for bankruptcy?” In many cases,…
Credit card refinancing is an umbrella term for ways to pay off the debt on high-interest credit cards faster and with less interest. If you’re concerned about high-interest credit card…
Household debt in the U.S. is so big that it takes a telescope to grasp it. Americans owed a record $17.69 trillion in the first quarter of 2024. If you…
Most people believe that they need credit cards to get a credit score, the three-digit number that unlocks many financial doors in life and is an important aspect of financial…
Americans were already struggling with medical debt before the COVID-19 pandemic, and, largely because of record-setting unemployment in the last six months, the issue is expected to get worse. About…
Your company sent everyone home when the pandemic began in March 2020, and here you are, still working from home as tax time approaches in 2024. Or maybe you just…
You’ve filed for bankruptcy, but could really use that tax refund you expect this year. You’re not the only one who wants it. Odds are the bankruptcy trustee is also…
You’ve seen TV commercials about the virtues of consolidating your debts, but there’s one nagging issue. Is it going to hurt your credit? The last move you want to make is…
The government shutdown means a temporary layoff – officially known as a furlough – for millions of federal workers. More than six million government employees and contract workers may either…
Online lenders are not all the same. Some have different digital tools, some have lower rates. Borrowers aren’t all the same either, so check out different lenders to determine which…
Buying a home in Florida can be challenging. Supply is tight and demand and prices are on the rise. If you’re a first-time Florida homebuyer, navigating the process, particularly the…
Paying down a credit card balance has never been harder. That’s because interest rates have never been higher. The average credit card interest rate rose to 22.8 % in 2023,…
Raising a child is expensive. Doing it on your own is a scramble. Grants for single parents, in the form of direct aid as well as programs and resources that…
If you’ve ever shivered through a sub-zero morning in Maine or sweated out a summer afternoon in South Florida, you understand that a thermostat can be your home’s most valuable…
What Is Nonprofit Debt Consolidation? Nonprofit debt consolidation combines your debt into one manageable monthly payment, often through a debt management plan. Nonprofit debt management has agreements with card companies to…
Student loan debt is one of the leading causes of modern American stress, especially among millennials, who are putting off life milestones like marriage, having children or buying a house…
Health care is big business, and Americans with medical needs are paying the bill. In 2025, it’s estimated that even for people who have employer-sponsored healthcare, they’ll pay an average…
LendingClub is an online financial service that connects borrowers with loans that fit their needs. It works best for borrowers with good to excellent credit who are looking for personal…
You’re in dire need of a vehicle but don’t have the cash to buy it outright. The thought of financing a car loan has your wheels spinning. There are many…
End-of-life decisions are always difficult, yet they’re necessary choices most Americans will face for themselves or a loved one. Americans spent $4.3 trillion on health care in 2021. It’s estimated…
Collecting, calculating, reporting, and paying sales tax continues to be one of the most confusing — and sometimes annoying — aspects of running a small business. The issue has only become…
Debt Relief Programs in New Jersey New Jersey residents struggling with credit card debt have a choice of debt relief options. Credit counseling agencies (nonprofit and for-profit), banks, credit unions,…
Debt Relief Programs in Massachusetts Massachusetts residents who need help eliminating credit card debt have a lot of choices. Banks, credit unions and other lenders; credit counseling agencies (nonprofit and…
Is there a fourth stimulus check on the way? The success the federal government has had in helping Americans endure the economic disarray caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted…
As the COVID-19 crisis drags on and unemployment spikes to unprecedented levels in the U.S., individual debt burdens can feel more overwhelming than ever. On top of it, as many…
With a stunning 36.5 million and counting Americans out of work because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a lot of people scrambling to pay their bills until they have…
Americans suddenly out of work because of COVID-19 are filing for unemployment in unprecedented numbers, but a bright spot on the employment front is that some businesses are hiring, both…