Mark Cappel
Mark Cappel has edited magazines, web sites, and books for IBM, IDG, and Prentice Hall for the last 25 years. He earned a degree in law in 2006, and puts his law school lessons and editing experience to work every day in creating content for Bills.com that is accurate legally, yet easy to understand. When he's not in front of a computer, Mark is an amateur actor, a swordsman, and a Gate Dept. volunteer at Burning Man.
Dealing with Debt Problems on Social Security IncomeFeb 19, 2015
If you are on fixed income such as Social Security, a debt settlement program might be a good idea. Read more to learn about debt relief options when on fixed
Consumer Debt & Retirement PlanningFeb 19, 2015
I'm nearing retirement and selling a property. Should I invest the proceeds or pay-off my debt?
Cashing CD Penalizes GrandmotherFeb 19, 2015
My mother gave CDs to her grandchildren, and her attorney warned against redeeming them for five years. Why? I do not know, and suggest you ask the attorney for
Mortgage LawsFeb 18, 2015
Learn if your state mortgage laws require both spouses to sign mortgages or mortgage refinances. Some states require you to hire a lawyer, or a special notary.
Title Insurance RatesFeb 18, 2015
Learn the title insurance rates for all states, and other basic rules for title insurance when buying a home. Rates vary widely from $1.10 to $14 per $1,000...
Credit Report AccountJan 9, 2015
An account can appear more than once on your credit report. How to tell which collection agent to pay for your credit report account...
Dave RamseyJan 9, 2015
Dave Ramsey is a personal finance radio personality and book author. Most of his ideas mix common sense and insight. Four of his ideas are too black-and-white..
5 Ways to Stop RobocallersJan 8, 2015
Some robocalls you receive are perfectly legal. Many are not. Learn 4 ways to stop robocallers.
Coin CardJul 8, 2014
Coin Card is a new device planned for release in the summer of 2014 that replaces up to 8 of your credit, debit, and rewards cards. It's tethered to your...
RippleJul 7, 2014
Ripple is a distributed currency exchange. But it's much more than an exchange. It can handle mixed-currency transactions at high speed and low cost.
How Much Home InsuranceJul 7, 2014
You might have too much or too little home insurance. Follow these three steps to learn how much home insurance you need. Step 1: Look at your home's market...
QuickycoinJun 29, 2014
QuickyCoin.com is a Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Peercoin exchange, e-wallet, and merchant payment processor based in Hong Kong. It is owned by a privately held...
Interest Rate Reduction ScamJun 11, 2014
Protect yourself from interest rate reduction scams. Robo-callers still pester people to trick people into giving them sensitive information, then take...
The IRS and Bitcoins: What You Need to KnowMay 19, 2014
The IRS released its first rules on Bitcoins. If you use Bitcoins, whether to buy goods, accept them as a seller, or mine them, the tax implications are...
Lexington Law ComplaintsApr 4, 2014
Lexington Law complaints fit in four categories: Fee disclosure, cancellation policies, quality of service, and slow action on removing inaccurate credit...
Debt Consolidation & Credit ScoreMar 6, 2014
Debt consolidation strategies have different affects on your credit score. Learn the impacts credit counseling, debt settlement, and bankruptcy have on your sco
Consolidate Medical BillsMar 6, 2014
You can consolidate debt with medical bills if you qualify for a consolidation loan. Or, consider debt settlement, which will negotiate with your medical...
Cash Call LoanDec 18, 2013
You may not need to repay your CashCall or Western Sky loan. The CFPB filed a lawsuit alleging the loans are illegal. The steps you must take to learn if you...
Collection Accounts & Credit ScoreDec 15, 2013
Paying off collection accounts & credit score | Paying off collection accounts can help your credit score. Get more credit help tips at Bills.com
Reverse Mortgage InheritanceDec 12, 2013
Any heirs to real property take the property subject to its encumbrances, including a reverse mortgage.
Federal Student Loan ServicersDec 4, 2013
Eleven companies service federal student loans for the Dept. of Education. Contact information for Perkins, Direct Loans, and FFEL loans. A loan servicer...
California Mortgage Foreclosure ProcessNov 4, 2013
Learn the process for foreclosing on property in California, including the timing on a NOD, and a Notice of Trustee's Sale. A foreclosure can take 200 to...
How Do Title Loans Work?Oct 14, 2013
Title loans require no credit check, but cost 25% in interest monthly. The average $950 loan costs $2,000 in interest fees. Learn alternatives, including...
Protecting Tenants at ForeclosureOct 14, 2013
Under common law, a landlord's foreclosure terminated a tenant's lease. This rule changed in 2009 with the 'Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act,' which...
Overdraft FeesJun 9, 2013
Big banks charge big fees for overdrafts, which are loans in disguise. Learn 7 alternatives to overdraft protection, including starting an emergency funds...
VantageScore vs. FICOJun 4, 2013
FICO is the most popular credit scoring model, but VantageScore is a new model claiming to be more accurate for young people and other consumers with thin...
Credit Report Public RecordMay 15, 2013
Public information is one of seven sections in a credit report. Learn how to get free copies of your credit reports, and dispute errors you may find there...
No Credit or Bad Credit?Feb 15, 2013
Whether you have a bad credit score or no credit history at all, the answer to both situations is the same: Start by creating a positive credit history...
Credit HistoryFeb 13, 2013
Each time a collection agent buys your debt, it adds to the collection account's credit history. Get copies of all three of your credit reports to see...
Reverse Mortgage HeirsJan 22, 2013
Reverse mortgages don't disappear when homeowners die, but heirs nor estates must repay the loans. If you consider a reverse mortgage, learn 3 alternatives...
Umbrella InsuranceJan 4, 2013
Consider an umbrella policy if you own substantial assets, are vulnerable to a lawsuit, or own unusual personal property that can only be covered...
Insurance EndorsementsJan 4, 2013
Learn what typical homeowner's insurance policies cover, and 10 additional coverages, called endorsements, you may need. Cover a boat, broaden your theft...
Title InsuranceDec 26, 2012
The costs & benefits of title insurance, how it protects a homeowner, & how title insurance compares to private mortgage insurance & mortgage life insurance...
National Flood Insurance ProgramNov 26, 2012
Regular homeowner insurance doesn't cover floods. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) protects two types of insurable property: building and contents...
Reverse Mortgage LendersNov 14, 2012
It's easy to find reverse mortgage lenders. It's harder to find a good deal. Learn which fees reverse mortgage lenders can waive, and which are fixed...
Reverse Loan QualificationsNov 12, 2012
A reverse mortgage unlocks equity. Learn reverse mortgage qualifications for FHA HECM loans...
Real Property LawNov 7, 2012
Details on joint tenancy, tenancy in common, and tenancy by the entirety, and under what circumstances you should chose one of these forms of title...
What to Know About ARM RefinanceOct 29, 2012
Refinancing your ARM? Whether you should depends on your answers to eight questions about your existing loan and finances. The Bills.com ARM refi calculator...
Walmart Debit CardOct 26, 2012
Walmart now offers two low-cost pre-paid debit cards, which it targets to people who are not served by banks and credit unions. The two cards are called...
One Spouse on MortgageOct 16, 2012
There are three reasons to consider a joint mortgage, and five reasons for one spouse on a mortgage. This Bills.com article explores the...
Closing Costs for Refinance LoanOct 14, 2012
Refinance Closing Costs | Understanding all the closing costs in your refinance loan can be very confusing. You have to be sure to look at the GFE and to...
Credit Union Mortgage RatesOct 9, 2012
Credit Union | You may find lower mortgage closing costs at your local credit union. Consider a credit union if your state charges an intangible tax...
Read a Credit ReportOct 2, 2012
A credit report can be overwhelming at first. Learn how to read a credit report, and how to spot evidence of identity theft.
Rapid RescoreSep 30, 2012
Rapid rescore is not effective where the creditor reports accurate information to the the credit reporting agencies. However...
Mortgage After ForeclosureSep 27, 2012
Learn the waiting period for qualifying for a mortgage after bankruptcy, foreclosure, and short sale. Also learn how to recover from these events.
Terminate Cell Phone ContractSep 20, 2012
Terminate Cell Phone Contract | If you terminate your cell phone contract early and pay the early termination fee, it should not harm your credit. But...
RV Voluntary RepossessionSep 19, 2012
RV Voluntary Repossession | Does an RV qualify for short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure? If you can present your lien-holder with a solid offer, you may...
Credit Letter of DeletionAug 3, 2012
Credit Letter of Deletion | Use a credit letter of deletion to remove inaccurate information from your credit reports. Make sure that you start by...
Credit Report CodesJul 23, 2012
A table containing most credit report codes used by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Grab your credit report and...
CFPB Mortgage DisclosureJul 13, 2012
The CFPB wants mortgage disclosures to be short and simple. Its Loan Estimate and the Closing Disclosure forms aim to...