Consumer Protection Law Podcast

Budget podcast discusses whether it's wise to trade a consolidation loan for old debts.

Your credit card account is closed. Good thing, bad thing, or not so much of a thing?

When you go past due on a credit card or a loan, the creditor threatens you by saying it will go to charge-off. Does that mean you don't owe the money? Or do you somehow owe more?

How long do old unpaid student loans stay on my credit report?

  If you file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case and your income changes, what happens to your Plan payment? Can you lower the payment if you lose your job? And if you get a huge bump in income, can the court take it? Gene and Jay talk about this very issue in today's episode. Links of interest: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics - A Tutorial When Your Chapter 13 Plan No Longer Works  

Maybe Gene's got his settings wrong. Maybe not. For all those doo-dads, whatnots and techie things out there ... sometimes the technology just doesn't work as well as we'd hope. Even when it does, sometimes Jay just can't read. And Gene's got it all backwards. Oh, and we talk about color blindness ...

If you want to keep within your budget, you need to pay attention. But just how strict you need to be with things is a question that hamstrings a lot of us. After all, what's a few dollars here and there? Don't make the mistake of being too lenient - or of being too tough on yourself. After all, you've got to have some fun once in awhile. On today's show we show you how to loosen up without being too loose with your budget.

Your old jobs may show up on your credit report - but can you get it removed? Credit report podcast answers the question.

The debt collector is harassing you ... can you sue? Sure, but you can also sue a fire hydrant. The real question is whether you've got a legal basis for suing a debt collector for harassing you. Today we talk about harassment - what it means, and how to enforce your rights. Links of interest: Why Some Debt Collectors Get Away With Breaking The Law, And How To Stop Them Fair Debt Collection Practices Act How Long You Can Sue Under the FDCPA

Is the only solution to paying for college without student loans ... to NOT go to college? NO way! Today we're talking about making money, saving money, and getting an education without borrowing money. College isn't for everyone, but it's all about a return on investment and making the right long-term economic decision. Links of interest: What's the ROI of Your College Major? 8 College Degrees With The Worst Return on Investment    

Trying to file for bankruptcy from outside the United States is no easy task, with legal requirements that may appear confusing. In today's episode, Gene and Jay talk through the steps you need to consider if you're looking to get out of debt from another country. Links of interest: Section 109 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (talks about who is eligible to file for bankruptcy in the United States) Title 28, Section 1408 (Talks about where in the United States your case can be filed) John Hilla, a bankruptcy lawyer in Michigan, discusses the subject of filing for bankruptcy if you live overseas in this article. Nolo, the self-help site, talks about where your bankruptcy case can be filed in this article.

Weekly outtakes for Money Go Roundtable, week of 1/12/15.

Here are some solid ideas and ways to get back into the black while also building up your bank balance.

Can your employer find out where else you're working and how much you're earning if they've got your Social Security number? Can a creditor with a judgment in New York freeze your entire bank account? Does the bank have to unfreeze your account once you file for bankruptcy?

Do you need to file for bankruptcy with your spouse, or can you file alone? Can you file for bankruptcy and list your friend's debts? And how should your mortgage report your post-discharge payments on your credit report? All this, plus Do Or Die by Fall Walk Run on this episode of Consumer Help Radio.