MoneyBuzz is an excellent new podcast hosted by Claire and Shannon of ReadyForZero. They talk about finances in a really fun and personal way while shining a spotlight on problems that we all face and helping the listener find solutions.

Hi GHDave, I think there are some companies that would allow you do it for free. One appears to be called RentalKharma.

Hi Benjamin, one option would be a peer-to-peer consolidation loan through a company like Lending Club or Prosper. Of course, this requires that you have an average or above average credit score. But if you do, you'll have the option of getting a consolidation loan with an interest rate that should be significantly…

People often use secured credit cards to build credit when they cannot qualify for a non-secured card. And that's a great reason to use them. If you can qualify for a non-secured card then it is really up to you. Personally, I wouldn't want to even take a chance with the high-interest card you mentioned. I'd opt for…

It can be a good thing to get a secured credit card or other card to start building a history of on-time payments. However, you don't want to get a credit card unless you know you'll be able to use it carefully and not run up a balance (which can happen more quickly than people realize). In terms of credit card…

Hi, as long as you are paying off your balance in full every month then it won't hurt your credit score. Just be aware that your score might appear to be higher if it's pulled at a point during the month when you have the full balance on the card (i.e. haven't made the monthly payment yet). If that's the case don't…

Hi, you can get some information about federal loan consolidation here: http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/co…. Private loans will have different conditions. But in general, it's a good idea to call your lender before making any decision about consolidating. If you have private loans, you can look around for a…

Hi there! That's a tricky situation. We actually wrote an article right here on Lifehacker titled "10 Ways You Can Improve Your Credit Score Right Now" - it might be helpful to look that one up. Here are some things to consider: can you increase the credit limit on your current credit card? If so, that is probably a…

Hi, sorry you had to go through that! Must be very frustrating. My gut reaction is that the rental agency thought they could squeeze some more money out of you (unethically) and sent you the notice hoping you would just pay it. When you replied and strongly stated your position, they may have decided to give up.…

Oh, I understand now! Thanks for the clarification. If your credit score is still in the mid-700's, which it sounds like is the case, then I wouldn't worry too much about the 30-day late mark that is still on your account. If you've been making on-time payments for a year or two now, the credit card company may be…

Hi Carlos, good question! In general it's not wise to borrow against a 401k, 403b, or any other type of tax-advantaged retirement account, so I'd recommend not doing that! You don't want to lose the benefits of those accounts. And as you mentioned, a home equity loan or consolidation are not an option for you. So what…

Hi Chris! Nice job using the credit cards to earn travel rewards that's not always easy! As for your question, what you need to know is that the credit scoring system is set up to allow you to make multiple inquiries for a credit card in particular time period (14 to 45 days depending on the scoring model) without…

Hi there, this is an interesting and potentially problematic situation that you are certainly not alone in experiencing. Because of delayed interest or fees and poor communication by the credit card company, people often wind up with small amounts of money on cards they thought they had closed. First, I would make…

Hi Teddy, I'm not sure I understand your question compltely. You mention both the 30-day late mark and the credit check that goes along with a credit card application. If you mean that you have an account that is 30 days late, then the answer is your credit score may or may not be affected - it depends whether your…

Very glad to hear that it was helpful! Best of luck to you.

That's a tough question. If you have a good credit score, then you may be able to get a consolidation loan to pay off the payday loan debt (and get a lower interest rate). Your local credit union or bank may offer a consolidation loan. Or you can try a site like Lending Club or Prosper.

I agree 100%! I'm glad this information was helpful. Best of luck!

I agree 100%

If you can find out how much principal you are paying with each payment, then I think you could do the calculation this way: for each loan, multiply your current monthly principal paydown by 49 (months til June 2017) and add the four amounts together. That should give you the total amount of principal you will pay…

Yes, I think you're on the right track. IBR could be very helpful during residency. And if you can qualify for PSLF during residency for 5 years, then you would only need 5 more years of public service (i.e. non-profit or gov't) employment to qualify for forgiveness. It would be worth reading more here: http://www.stud…