FIND IT QUICK
Your Voice
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Commander Galbraith. My Dad was the Commander of Post 251 in El Campo, TX when National Commander Galbraith came for a visit. I remember him as very professional, and a true gentleman. It was an honor to meet this fine man. My deepest condolences go out to his family.
- tex-markVeteran Services: Finance Questions
Finances
You're working, and you've got a family that depends on you - both now and down the road. Where do you invest your money? Do you borrow against the equity in your house? Through a preferred provider relationship with USAA, The American Legion can provide expert financial advice to just about any question.
Questions & Answers
« Back to Finance Questions & Answers
I have a first mortgage of $201,000 at 5.8 percent, a second of $81,000 at 2.49 percent, and six credit cards totaling $24,000. I’m looking into refinancing the first mortgage for 20 years at 4.37 percent for monthly savings of $203. – Steve
We think it’s a smart idea to lock in a lower rate on your first mortgage. Beyond that we think you ought to get some outside help sorting through your situation. A first and second mortgage along with $24K of credit card debt seems like a pretty big nut. How did you get there? Do you have a written budget? If so, it sounds as if it could use a little tweaking. The problem with a consolidation loan is if you’re not living within your means now, this could be a recipe for financial disaster. What we mean is that you could end up with a consolidation loan and possibly credit card balances again.
A credit counselor associated with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, www.nfcc.org, should be able to help you map out a solid game plan to knock down that debt. There’s nothing wrong for asking for a little help and it may go a long way towards making changes in spending and cash flow adjustments that can put you on the path to financial success.