DEAR W.R.: Seldom are these checks that you receive from credit card companies a good deal. Often, there's a minimum fee of 3 percent or 4 percent just for writing the check. I put them into the immediately into the shredder when I receive them. I would have to see the arrangement with regard to the "great low rate." Find out what it's going to take to get you out, and then, if you want to fight with the company, do so. Those checks that we all receive should be destroyed, never used.
DEAR BRUCE: My husband and I divorced in December 2007. For part of his settlement, instead of taking half of my 401(k), I gave him my half of the equity in our home. I have insisted and threatened him for the last year to have the house refinanced to get me off the loan. Nothing. I have a feeling he won't qualify. He is paying late every month and hurting my credit which I am trying to re-establish. I have nothing to use to bargain with this man. Should I have refused to sign the quitclaim deed until he refinanced? -- Reader , via e-mail
DEAR READER.: There is absolutely nothing that I know of that you can do. You can threaten, cajole, hold your breath and turn purple, and without regard to anything the divorce decree might have said, as long as that mortgage exists, you're on it. The money was loaned to both of you, and I know of no way you can force him to refinance. Since he has lousy credit, that possibility probably doesn't exist. Until such time as the house is foreclosed upon or he sells it, you're very much on the hook, and your credit is going to suffer. Plus, you could be held for any deficiency.