Money Files

Critics say it may be unconstitutional to charge a penalty for not buying a product. Supporters compare the mandate to car insurance requirements.

On the surface, the federal homebuyers’ tax credit proposed by Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., has all the makings of a sound policy move.

A ‘dysfunctional system that’s holding back the housing recovery’ and has resulted in lowball property appraisals and busted home sale transactions, among other things, may be on its way out the door. Could the controversial appraisal system imposed nationwide by mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in May — and now tied to lowball property valuations, busted home sale transactions and …

Credit card companies offer all sorts of incentives to spend money. Jill Papworth picks out some of the best If you’re among the six out of 10 credit card holders who pay off their card balance in full each month, avoiding interest charges, you should be making the most of the rewards schemes on offer.

A forum for discussing the government’s credit card proposals has a commercial credit card comparison tool sitting next to it. Jill Insley isn’t impressed Given the sensitive and important nature of the proposals unveiled today to help consumers get back control of their credit cards , you would think the government would be careful about who it linked up with to promote its consultation paper …

Proposals would force borrowers to pay back more of their debt earlier and stop issuers raising credit limit without consent Credit card firms could be banned from increasing borrowers’ credit limits and the interest rates they pay in moves which the government today said would put consumers “back in the driving seat”. Under the proposals, which had been heavily trailed in the run-up to today’s …

Proposals would force borrowers to pay back more of their debt earlier and stop issuers raising credit limit without consent The government will tomorrow outline plans to crack down on credit card lending, including moves that could see borrowers forced to pay back more of their debt earlier. Amongst the proposals is the introduction of legislation forcing credit card companies to increase the …

No es facil hablar de dinero. In English: It’s not easy to talk about money

From finding the best city to qualifying for tax breaks, these tips should make buying your first home easier.

Q I need to secure more credit for business travel and I have poor credit. My company policy is that we pay for trips and then submit the receipts. A brief overview: My outstanding debt is my home; Ba…