The wedding day frenzy has ended, and the honeymoon happened weeks ago. Now one of the toughest challenges for young couples begins: managing finances.
Here are five tips from local and national financial consultants for living financially ever after:
1.Communicate expectations and habits. Spouses should be open about credit card and student loan debts. Begin to set financial priorities by answering either/or questions such as: Which is more important: owning a home as soon as possible or taking vacations each year?
You're entitled to one free credit check a year from the three nationwide reporting agencies. Couples should use that information to gauge their financial health and measure their year-to-year progress.
2. Know the difference between good debt and bad debt, and take action.
Regardless of where you borrow money for college, lenders say there are points every customer should understand. Here are five:
1. CHECK THE INCENTIVES.
Loans with identical rates can cost much different amounts, depending on incentives such as rate reductions for not missing payments.
2. BEWARE OF NO-FEE OFFERS.
All student-loan consolidations are available without fees.
3. "LOWER" CAN BE COSTLIER.
A lower rate does not always mean a cheaper loan if consolidation means you will pay those smaller monthly payments for a much longer period.
4. DO SOME RESEARCH.
Many sites offer financial aid information. Here are some of the more popular: www.fafsa.ed.gov; www.finaid.org; www.cfnc.org; www.salliemae.com
5. SHOP AROUND.
You should find plenty of lenders who do not require a credit check, do not have prepayment penalties and will answer any questions.