Clark Howard talks home remodeling, debt collectors, luxury used cars and wi-fi breaches

Interesting articles to read from Clark Howard’s website:

Home remodeling cheaper during slump

With the building market in a bona fide depression, those who earn their living in construction are really hurting for work. That makes this an ideal time to start a remodeling project if you’ve been putting it off at your house. Read the full story.

Dealing with debt collectors seeking to collect on zombie debt

While most credit cards are cutting people’s limits, PayPal is moving in the opposite direction and offering a new quasi-credit card. Clark hopes PayPal goes on to become a vigorous 3rd player in the market so they can bust open the Visa/MasterCard cartel. Read the full story.

Luxury car sales hurting, great time to buy one used

There are some amazing opportunities right now in the car market. New stats show that luxury car sales are down 32% in the most recent monthly reporting period. Similar troubles have hit the market for regular cars too. This is, after all, an equal opportunity recession for people of all income levels. Read the full story.

Security breaches likely when using free wifi

Is that free wifi you’re surfing on at the airport or the coffee shop really secure? Forbes reports there’s a nearly 75% chance that it’s not.

The single worst location for wifi compromises was Newark Airport. You have a whopping 91% chance of having sensitive information stolen over there! See Forbes‘ complete tally of results for some of the nation’s most popular airports.

So what can you do about it? Simple — don’t under any circumstances visit the website of your bank, credit union and brokerage house or mutual-fund company when using a free wifi connection while you’re out and about. The risk is just too great.

Bookmark and Share

Tags: car sales, coffee shop, construction, credit cards, debt collectors, home remodeling, luxury cars, mastercard, newark airport, pay pal, security breach, used cars, visa, wi-fi

2 Responses to “Clark Howard talks home remodeling, debt collectors, luxury used cars and wi-fi breaches”

Barbara Otey Says:
April 9th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Are there any options for the borrower in this situation:

The borrower has a non-secured loan with a very high interest rate so the payments are not going toward the principal. The borrower cannot pay it of in full at this time. The company has not offered any modification and the payment is dificult to make. Please respond. Thank you.
Barbara Otey Says:
April 9th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Please help. Are there any options for the borrower in this situation:

The borrower has a non-secured loan with a very high interest rate so the payments are not going toward the principal. The borrower cannot pay it of in full at this time. The company has not offered any modification and the payment is dificult to make. Please respond. Thank you.