Four years ago I lost my job, and decided to go back to school. I recently graduated with a BS in Geography, and ~$36,000 in student loan debt, between 3.4 and 8% interest. I have also recently been hired in a limited duration, 1-2 years, public sector job with strong potential to secure a permanent position, but no guarantees. There are many options for structuring my repayments. My intention is to work in the public sector, but given the recent budget history that may not end up being my final track. My question is, should I structure my payments under the income based programs, assuming I'll be able to write off the balance of my loans in 10 years as a public servant, or should I pay them off as soon as I can to avoid all the extra interest if that plan doesn't work out?

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Hello, My question is this: I recently had my credit report pulled as I was looking to refinance my auto loan, which is currently around 17% interest. My score is around 575. Looking at my report with a consultant, I noticed some double reporting, which was affecting my credit. I contacted the companies and they stated they do not have the accounts. I finally found where the account was and paid it off and filed a dispute for the other companies that were reporting it even though they don't have the account. So that was my first step towards fixing my credit. There were also 3 negative reports from my student loan as it fell into collection for awhile, but the companies that are reporting them closed the account in 2009 and have no further record of it. I contacted TransUnion and they stated even though those accounts are closed, they will continue to be reported negatively for 7 years, so I have another 3 years of it bringing down my score. Is that true? I am currently paying my student loan now with the U.S. Dept. of Education, but it appears it was shuffled around with them for a bit in the past. That is why they are reporting it 3 times as a negative account. Since I am paying it now (and have been for the past year) I don't get why those other 3 reports must stay there for 7 years. Also, my credit union says there is nothing I can really do to help build credit except wait 3 years for those negative accounts to fall off. I am currently in good standing with my car loan and my student loan, so those are the only positive credit I am building. What else can I do? I can't get a credit card (I currently have none) as my score is too low and get denied. I tried for what is called a Visa Pledge card, which is a credit card that I put the money down on, but again I got denied for that. I really don't want to just sit and wait 3 more years until I can do anything. Please advise, what can I do now to help build my score back up so when those negative reports fall off in 3 years I can be in a better position to purchase a new car or refinance.

My 23-year-old son is planning to begin graduate school. He will have been done with his undergrad degree for two years. I would like to buy a book to give him that addresses finances and would like suggestions as to what to purchase. Any tips? Thanks.

Small claims court is a system designed to help people resolve their disputes over money. Here's what you should know to win your case.

I recently found out that the company I work for is going out of business and my job will be ending in a little over a month. I work as a IT Analyst and have have been looking for a job that is a step up a little while but have not had any success yet. I can afford to go with out a job for a short while, and have some connections that may be able to get me a job at a much lower level then I am at currently. What would the least damaging in the long term — an unemployment gap in my resume or being underemployed for a period of time, and is it unrealistic to look for a job that is a step up after losing a job?

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