Florida Bankruptcy Lawyer Blog

The best way to do this is with a Debit Card tied to your bank account. Naturally, this comes with a bit of responsibility. Debit cards allow you to pay for items by automatically taking money out of your account and sending it to the creditor, so you are not incurring debt at all. Likewise, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express will not have the ability to charge you interest on the outstanding balance at the end of the month. So, that $5 coffee this morning from Starbucks doesn't wind up costing you $35 in an over the limit fee. This is where I ask my clients to analyze the true cost of things.

Continue reading "Debit Card Do's And Don'ts Part II" »

Posted by Carmen Dellutri | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Consumer Protection , Credit Card Industry , Credit Cards , Life After Bankruptcy

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As a Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney, it seems as if a couple of questions are on everyone's mind. One of those questions is: After bankruptcy, how will I rent a car or secure a hotel room if I cannot keep any of my credit cards? My reply is simple: Use your debit card. People are often shocked that yes, they can use their debit cards for this purpose. Yesterday, my friend and colleague in Connecticut, Eugene Melchionne, wrote a blog for the Credit Law Network, titled "Using Debit Cards and ATM's Effectively". After reading Gene's article, it made me think of several reasons why people using debit cards need to be careful.

Continue reading "Debit Card Do's And Don'ts Part I" »

Posted by Carmen Dellutri | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Consumer Protection , Credit Card Industry , Credit Cards , Fair Credit Reporting Act , Life After Bankruptcy

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Why do companies, especially credit cards, market to individuals in Bankruptcy? The simple answer is that individuals who file for bankruptcy (7) are prohibited from receiving another discharge for 8 years. But, is that really the answer? Are these companies afraid that the individual will file bankruptcy again? I don't think so. The credit card companies like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover know that individuals will have a tough time changing their spending habits, and therefore, why not try to lure these individuals back into the charge and pay lifestyles that they may have once led. Kind of like a dope dealer pedaling dope to someone recently out of rehab.

Continue reading "Why Do Companies Market to Individuals in Bankruptcy?" »

Posted by Carmen Dellutri | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Bankruptcy News , Consumer Protection , Credit Card Industry , Credit Cards , Life After Bankruptcy

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United States Bankruptcy Judge John C. Ninfo is taking financial literacy to the next level. As bankruptcy filings rise, Judge Ninfo is teaching students of all ages to live within their means. Although, the Judge has some very strong views about the people that he is seeing in his courtroom, his message is crystal clear to the students.

At the Dellutri Law Group, we encourage the members of our firm to go out into the public, especially schools and trade organizations, to speak with people about what we do and how we do it. In the bankruptcy/consumer world, people always have so many questions. This is also true when we go into classrooms and speak about personal injury cases. The questions are always entertaining and enlightening.

Continue reading "New York Bankruptcy Judge Is Taking Financial Literacy To The Students" »

Posted by Carmen Dellutri | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Bankruptcy News , Bankruptcy Statistics , Consumer Protection , Credit Card Industry , Credit Cards , Economic Data

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This post is submitted by Carmen Dellutri, Esq. of The Dellutri Law Group, P.A. and one of the founding members of the Bankruptcy Law Network. Carmen Dellutri, Esq. is also on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Certification, which is the nation's premier legal specialty certification organization.

This morning I began a new blog for the Credit Law Network on the types of credit cards that consumer's have, carry, and use. The idea for this blog came after I received multiple credit card offers in yesterday's mail. You would think that with all the marketing done by the credit cards and the wealth of information contained in their data banks about consumer trends and spending habits, they would know that there is not a chance in hell that I am going to sign up for their credit cards. I would be willing to bet that they spent a small fortune marketing to just my house. Of course, I am also on the do not bother me list. But, that doesn't seem to stop the advertisements from being sent, and the mailman from having to deliver them.

Continue reading "Credit Cards Try To Lure You In With Affinity Cards" »

Posted by Carmen Dellutri | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Consumer Protection , Credit Card Industry , Credit Cards

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