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.
Improve Your CreditJan 15, 2010
Improve Your Credit | Time heals all wounds to a credit score. Making a payment early is not helpful to improve your credit score, but paying more than the...
Unpaid Medical BillsJan 12, 2010
Every month send each other an e-mail message with those costs detailed. Reconcile the amounts, and whoever paid more should be reimbursed by the other.
Relative Rate of ReturnJan 12, 2010
Look at the relative rate of return on investment vs. the interest rate on the mortgage, keeping mind that Uncle Sam is underwriting part of your mortgage inter
What Can I Do if I Was Denied a Home Equity Line of Credit?Jan 11, 2010
What can I do if I was denied a home equity line of credit?
Credit Report ErrorsJan 8, 2010
It is not uncommon to wait up to three months after paying off a collection account before a consumer will see a positive change in their credit history or cred
Residential School SettlementJan 5, 2010
The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement a lump sum payment paid to former students who suffered abuse. It is not income that qualifies for...
Eviction & Credit ReportJan 5, 2010
Eviction and Credit Report | Not all evictions appear on a credit report. If your eviction is on your credit report, it falls off 7.5 years after...
Michigan Mutual Savings Association StockJan 4, 2010
My grandfather found shares from 1924 what should he do with it?
Removing Ex From My MortgageDec 31, 2009
How do I remove my spouse from my mortgage without refinancing? You cannot remove your ex-spouse from your mortgage without refinancing.
Loan Modification & ForbearanceDec 30, 2009
If you are employed and remain current in your payment program, there is a good chance the modification plan will become permanent.
Buying a Home While in Chapter 13Dec 28, 2009
Convince the mortgage broker or loan officer to give you a conditional or contingent letter of credit for a mortgage/deed of trust in the amount of the loan you
USDA Rural Housing Service Mortgage InsuranceDec 28, 2009
Are USDA Rural Housing Service mortgages required to have mortgage insurance? No, because the insurance is already built-into the loan.
How Do I Remove My Self as a Co-signer on a Mortgage?Dec 23, 2009
I'm a co-signer with my ex-girlfriend on a mortgage. How do I remove myself from the mortgage?
Compound Annual Growth RateDec 23, 2009
Free tips on calculating the Compound Annual Growth Rate, or CAGR.
Charge-Off & Credit ReportDec 18, 2009
The fact that a debt is charged-off does not mean the debt is forgiven or canceled. Your credit report should not be your primary concern.
Credit FreezeDec 16, 2009
Credit Freeze | A freeze prevents creditors and credit bureaus, as well as others, from using credit in your name. A freeze places a PIN number on your...
Merrill Lynch Credit CardDec 15, 2009
I didn't qualify for a Merrill Lynch credit card, should I try somewhere else?
What Are My Options If I Can't Afford My Home?Dec 15, 2009
Options if You Can't Afford Home |If you cannot afford your mortgage payments look for foreclosure avoidance options. You can do a short sale...
Retirement & TaxesDec 14, 2009
Retirement and Taxes | When you cash in most retirement accounts, you have to pay taxes on the amount you liquidate. To pay the least taxes possible...
WV Mobile Home ForeclosureDec 11, 2009
West Virginia Mobile Home Foreclosure | Under West Virginia law, a deficiency judgment may not be obtained when a property in foreclosure is sold...
Open EnrollmentDec 10, 2009
Open Enrollment | Open enrollment is a defined period during which you can change your employer offered insurance benefits. Don't miss...
Liable for My Spouse's Hospital BillsDec 9, 2009
If you signed an admission form that included guarantor language when you checked your spouse into the hospital, then you promised to pay for your spouse's debt
Need Personal LoanDec 9, 2009
Need Personal Loan | If you are struggling to pay bills, then personal loans are not usually a good alternative. Create a budget and seek debt relief...
Credit MonitoringDec 2, 2009
What is the best credit monitoring service? Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion offer $15 per month monitoring of a person's report at all three credit bureaus.
Business vs. Personal CreditDec 1, 2009
If I apply for credit for my business, does that apply to my personal credit? The answer depends on how your business is organized. A corporation will insulate
Financing Short SaleNov 30, 2009
I had pre-approval to buy a home in a short-sale, and the lender backed out at the last minute. What can I do?
Child Support & Credit ReportNov 23, 2009
Court-ordered child support may appear on your credit report if you do not pay it.
Attorney Necessary for Refinance?Nov 23, 2009
Whether you need an attorney for a mortgage refinance depends on your state of residence.
Illinois Payday LoanNov 23, 2009
Illinois protects consumers who get payday loans. Payday lenders are limited in the interest and fees they charge. Also, payday lender must offer no-cost paymen
Insurance ShoppingNov 17, 2009
Finding the best deal on homeowners and vehicle insurance is like finding the best deal on other products and services: you need to shop, compare, and negotiate
How Do I Start Investing in the Stock Market?Nov 16, 2009
I'm interested in investing in the stock market but I don't know where to start. How do I start investing in the stock market?
First Mortgage PaymentNov 2, 2009
Want to know how to make a mortgage payment for the first time?
Credit History and EmploymentNov 2, 2009
Want to know if your Credit History can impact your employment?
Will a Loan Modification Hurt My Credit ScoresOct 30, 2009
Will a loan modification hurt my credit scores?Answer: Probably not.
Should I Close A Credit Card Account?Oct 27, 2009
My bank tripled the interest rate on my credit card. They gave me the option to close the account. What should I do?
Our Second Mortgage Company Won't Subordinate Its LoanOct 13, 2009
I want to refinance our first mortgage, but the second mortgage holder won't subordinate. What can we do?
Acai Berry Negative Option Marketing ScamOct 2, 2009
I think I just got caught up in a negative option marketing scam. What can I do? How do I get out of an acai berry scam? Why is negative option marketing legal?
Is My Spouse Liable for My Credit Card Debt?Sep 24, 2009
Spouse Liability for Credit Card Debt | Credit Card liability varies from state to state, depending on whether it is a community property state or a...
Second Mortgage ForeclosureSep 16, 2009
Can the lender of a second mortgage foreclose on my home if the first mortgage is current?
Credit Score FluctuationSep 11, 2009
A credit card company made an error in crediting a payment, and as a result my score took a hit. How long will it take for my score to recover?
6 Months Behind on Credit Card PaymentsSep 3, 2009
R9 and Charge-off | You still owe the debt, if you have an account that goes into charge-off or R9 status. Learn the steps you need to take, such as...
Dealing with a Mortgage & HELOC in ProbateAug 25, 2009
My spouse died and was the mortgage holder. How can I settle with the bank if my name is not on the note?
Deed In Lieu Of Foreclosure vs. Short SaleAug 21, 2009
Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure vs. Short Sale | Review the pros and cons of accepting a deed in lieu of foreclosure and how it compares to a short sale. Start by..
Delinquent Utility & MortgageAug 20, 2009
I found out I had a utility collection on my credit report and paid it off immediately. Will my husband and I still be able to get another home mortgage?
Fixing Bad Credit With Zero Income Aug 20, 2009
I am a student and I am 15k in debt. I have been looking for a job, but can't find one because of my bad credit score. I need some advice.
What is Contempt of Court?Aug 6, 2009
What if someone refuses to comply with a court order by not disclosing private information to a creditor?
My Lender Lost My Deed in Lieu of ForeclosureAug 5, 2009
Am I obligated to resend my mortgage company another copy of my deed in lieu of foreclosure?
Florida Payday LoanJul 22, 2009
Florida payday loans | Florida payday loans are risky. Examine a case where someone used a company to resolve a payday loan but now owes $6,000 when the origin
Transfer of Property Jul 22, 2009
My mom took out an equity loan and but later placed the property in my name. The loan is now in foreclosure. Will the bank be unreceptive because of this?
Accident Drives Up Our Car Insurance RateJul 22, 2009
I was involved in a car accident that is now raising my wife's insurance because i was not on the policy. How can I help reduce her premium?