Money & Personal Finance
-
Credit Repair Steps Offer Path To Recovery
Many San Gabriel Valley residents face financial setbacks that damage their credit. The final installment in this six-part series looks at how people can rebuild credit and move toward financial stability. The series is sponsored by the Rio Hondo Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit based in El Monte since 2003 that focuses on housing and…
-
Free Credit Repair Services Draw Scrutiny
Online ads promising free credit repair continue to attract consumers, but financial advocates warn that such offers often come with conditions and costs. In the fifth installment of a six-part community series sponsored by Rio Hondo Community Development Corporation, the discussion focuses on how residents can approach credit repair claims with caution and clear expectations.…
-
Credit Repair Costs Explained For Residents
As part four of a six-part credit repair series from Rio Hondo Community Development Corporation, this installment focuses on a common question from San Gabriel Valley residents: Can credit repair really be free? The short answer is no. While some services advertise free credit repair, federal law limits what companies can charge and when they…
-
How To Fix Credit Report Mistakes
Errors on a credit report can lower a credit score and raise borrowing costs. In Part 3 of our six-part Credit Repair Series, we examine how to identify and dispute inaccurate information. This report is brought to Mid Valley News readers courtesy of the Rio Hondo Community Development Corporation. Consumer advocates estimate that millions of…
-
Credit Repair Basics For Local Families
Bad credit can feel permanent, but it is not unusual, and it is not the end of the road. This article is part two of a credit repair series sponsored by Rio Hondo Community Development Corporation, focusing on practical steps residents can take to regain financial footing. For many households, past debt decisions continue to…
-
Credit Repair Series Launches In Mid Valley News
Many Americans carry debt without fully understanding how credit works or how it can be repaired. That gap in knowledge has followed the nation since credit expanded alongside industrial growth, leaving millions struggling with balances they never planned to accumulate. This article marks the first installment in a community credit repair series presented by Rio…
-
Protecting Mid Valley From Debt Relief Scams
As credit card balances climb and household budgets tighten, many Mid Valley families are looking for relief. That search can expose residents to costly fraud. Consumer advocates say understanding how credit card debt scams operate is one of the best defenses for households in El Monte, South El Monte, Baldwin Park, Rosemead, and Irwindale. Debt…
-
Fed Rate Cut Brings Relief, Signals Caution
The Federal Reserve approved another interest rate cut in December, lowering borrowing costs while signaling it may pause further reductions as officials seek clearer economic signals in the months ahead. The Federal Open Market Committee voted to reduce the federal funds rate by 25 basis points, setting a new target range of 3.50 percent to…
-
Rate Cuts Set Up Consumer Confidence
Consumer confidence declined again in October, but recent moves by the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates could help stabilize household sentiment and strengthen economic momentum heading into 2026, according to the latest report from the Conference Board. Confidence dips, but recovery signs emerge The consumer confidence index fell to 94.6, marking a third consecutive…
-
Cooling Inflation Brings Relief Across San Gabriel Valley
The latest inflation report brought cautious relief to local families and businesses, showing consumer prices rose less than expected in September. The delayed Consumer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 0.31 percent monthly gain and a 3 percent increase compared with a year earlier, both softer than economists forecast. The…