Hoglund Law Blog

Consumer spending over the last three quarters of 2011 has shown a reversion to credit card use over debit card.  Silvio Tavares, senior vice president at First Data, which processes card transactions for 4.1 million merchants, notes that “Consumers have spent the last couple of years de-leveraging and reducing credit card use, but the past month — and since April — they’ve been using their credit cards more and are starting to return to pre-recession buying.”  The first quarter of 2011 saw an 8.2% increase in credit card use, followed by a 9% increase in the second quarter and a 10.6% increase in the third quarter.  On the other hand, debit card use increased by 9.6%, 8.3%, and 5.9% in quarters one, two and three respectively.  On black Friday alone, credit card use jumped 7.4% from the same day a year ago.

A major contributing factor to the rise in credit card use is that the banks are encouraging consumers to switch from debit to credit.  Credit card use is more profitable and cost effective for banks compared to debit/checking accounts.  To get consumers to make the switch, credit card mailings have increase 85% since early 2010, and many of these credit card offers come with new perks such as rewards points, miles, or cash rebates.  The number of credit cards offering such perks has increased over the past two years from 6 out of 10 of the credit card offers in 2009 to 8 out of 10 credit card offers today.

Analysts believe that an increase in credit card offers will continue to intensify as debit cards become less cost-effective for banks.  Banks have started to raise checking account fees and charge debit card usage fees, all of which is part of the attempt to get consumers to switch to credit cards.  Although consumers will not be charged with the same usage fees on their credit cards, Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com warns consumers to pay off their balance each month because the interest payments will be much greater than any new debit card fee.

Source:

Blake Ellis, Credit card use is on the rise, http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/05/pf/credit_card_use/index.htm?iid=SF_PF_LN (accessed 12/7/11)

While the once large auto business network owner Denny Hecker serves out his 10-year sentence in the Duluth Federal Prison Camp, bankruptcy trustee Randy Seaver is on the search for hidden assets.  Randy Seaver, assigned trustee in handling the bankruptcy estate of Denny Hecker, believes that there are hidden assets and the persons may have been aiding and abetting Hecker while he in prison.  To begin his search, Seaver has asked for permission to question several people close to Hecker and his wife Christi Rowan-Hecker.

David Leibowitz, a bankruptcy expert from Chicago believes this is a bit of a fishing expedition on Seaver’s part, but contends, “Seaver obviously feels there’s a fish in the water here.”  Leibowitz goes on the mention that this activity is consistent with the aggressive manner in which Seaver has handled the case.  Seaver has sought to speak with Hecker’s second wife Sandra Hecker, Hecker’s former lawyer John Neve, as well as and Barbara Tourville, George Johnson, and Molly Jensen, all of whom have allegedly put money in Hecker’s prison accounts and have been assisting him in business and financial matters.

Rowan-Hecker, who married Denny via telephone back in March, recently was released from a federal prison in Illinois to a halfway house in Minneapolis where she will finish out her 14-month sentence for bankruptcy fraud.  This is a typical procedure for inmates nearing the end of their sentence to be transferred to a halfway house for the last one to six months of their sentence.  During this time at the halfway house, Rowan-Hecker will be assisted in finding a job and helping her return to society.

Source:

MaryJo Webster, Hecker trustee seeks hidden assets; Rowan released to Minnesota halfway house, http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_19489778 (accessed 12/9/2011)

In March of 2010, President Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act.  The Affordable Care Act is the highly controversial health care reform law. This Act is said to be one of the signature accomplishments of the President.  Since the Act was signed into law, 26 states have filed suit in federal courts around the nation challenging the constitutionality of the Act.

That big-ticket provision of the Act that is being challenged is the “individual mandate” that requires nearly all Americans to purchase a minimum level of health insurance.  The Supreme Court recently agreed to hear two major questions: 1) whether the “individual mandate” provision is unconstitutional; and 2) whether the entire law must be invalidated due to the centerpiece provision which is the “individual mandate.”

Both advocates and adversaries of the Act have serious concerns regarding the constitutionality of this Act.  The federal government reported that last year approximately 45 million Americans were without health insurance.  As a result of uninsured Americans, the federal government sites $43 billion in uncompensated medical costs.  On the other side of the aisle, arguments have been made that the health care law has not lived up to its promises and actually is creating a substantial burden on small businesses.  Opponents of the Act also contend that the Affordable Care Act unconstitutionally reduces individual freedoms.

The Supreme Court will begin to hear oral arguments in late February or March, and a ruling is expected by June.  The result undoubtedly will influence the political debates in this presidential election year.

Source:

Bill Mears, Supreme Court takes up challenge to health care reform law, http://articles.cnn.com/2011-11-14/politics/politics_health-care_1_oral-arguments-health-care-reform-law-affordable-care-act?_s=PM:POLITICS (accessed 11/15/2011)

In a two decade long study, 177,184 women between the ages of 42 and 67 were followed as part of the Nurse’s Health Study.  One of the remarkable findings of the study was the increased likelihood of developing type-2 diabetes as the result of periodic night shift work.  Nurses who worked periodic night shifts for three years or less were 20% more likely to develop type-2 diabetes than those who only worked days.   Those who worked periodic night shifts for at least 20 years were at even greater risk for developing type-2 diabetes at the rate of 60% more likely than those who only worked days.

Doctor Frank Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health notes that although the increased risk is not huge, it is still substantial enough considering one-fifth of the workforce has some rotating night shift work.  The increased risk is not attributable solely to the hours you work but may result from the side affects that are associated with periodic night shift work.  Doctor Hu contends, “Irregular work hours tend to disrupt the body’s circadian rhythms (also known as the “body clock”), which play a critical role in maintaining healthy blood-sugar metabolism and energy balance.”  This internal clock influences our ability to metabolize certain foods at certain times.  Thus if you go on a late night raid of the refrigerator, the enzymes needed to turn high-fat foods into energy may not be alert enough to handle the barrage, and result in those calories ending up as fat rather than fuel.

David Earnest, Ph.D., states that, “In the past 25 years, we’ve focused a lot on lifestyle issues such as maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle. But regardless of whether you’re a shift worker or not, that may not be enough to avoid these health issues.”  The study is not conclusive as to how much night shift work affects the risk of type-2 diabetes, but there is considerable evidence that periodic night shift work shows some increased risk of type-2 diabetes.  There are a combination of factors at play including family history, diet, weight, smoking, and exercise.  Now periodic night shift work may be another factor to add to that list.

Source:

Amanda Gardner, Night shift work may raise diabetes risk, http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/06/health/night-shifts-diabetes-link/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 (accessed 12/8/2011)

Nigh shift workers are at greater risk for Type 2 diabetes

In a two decade long study, 177,184 women between the ages of 42 and 67 were followed as part of the Nurse’s Health Study.  One of the remarkable findings of the study was the increased likelihood of developing type-2 diabetes as the result of periodic night shift work.  Nurses who worked periodic night shifts for three years or less were 20% more likely to develop type-2 diabetes than those who only worked days.   Those who worked periodic night shifts for at least 20 years were at even greater risk for developing type-2 diabetes at the rate of 60% more likely than those who only worked days.

Doctor Frank Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health notes that although the increased risk is not huge, it is still substantial enough considering one-fifth of the workforce has some rotating night shift work.  The increased risk is not attributable solely to the hours you work but may result from the side affects that are associated with periodic night shift work.  Doctor Hu contends, “Irregular work hours tend to disrupt the body’s circadian rhythms (also known as the “body clock”), which play a critical role in maintaining healthy blood-sugar metabolism and energy balance.”  This internal clock influences our ability to metabolize certain foods at certain times.  Thus if you go on a late night raid of the refrigerator, the enzymes needed to turn high-fat foods into energy may not be alert enough to handle the barrage, and result in those calories ending up as fat rather than fuel.

David Earnest, Ph.D., states that, “In the past 25 years, we’ve focused a lot on lifestyle issues such as maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle. But regardless of whether you’re a shift worker or not, that may not be enough to avoid these health issues.”  The study is not conclusive as to how much night shift work affects the risk of type-2 diabetes, but there is considerable evidence that periodic night shift work shows some increased risk of type-2 diabetes.  There are a combination of factors at play including family history, diet, weight, smoking, and exercise.  Now periodic night shift work may be another factor to add to that list.

Source:

Amanda Gardner, Night shift work may raise diabetes risk, http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/06/health/night-shifts-diabetes-link/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 (accessed 12/8/2011)

Although most people would like to have zero debt compared to much debt, student loan debt may not be as bad as other kinds.  With low interest rates and flexible payment options, Carolyn Bigda from the Chicago Tribune contends that student loans tend to be more forgiving than other types of debt.  However, the primary focus should not be what debt people should get into, but rather, consider saving before paying off loans.

On average 65 percent of students who attend a four-year private college and 56 percent of students who attend public universities end up raking in $28,100 and $22,000 in student loan debt respectively.  A recent graduate may be concerned with paying off that debt as soon as possible.  Doing just that may not be the best idea.  Saving more of your income compared to paying off student loans may be the wiser decision depending on a person’s future goals.  For example, if you would like to buy a home, purchase a car, or take a vacation once in awhile, having savings will help pay for these things without increasing total debt.  If there are no savings available to pay for these goals, financing them is the only other option, which ends up leading to greater debt.

While completely neglecting student loan debt is not an attractive option either, there are ways to save money and pay off that debt.  Private loans may be refinanced, and if the interest rates are still burdensome, targeting private loans first may be advisable.  In the case of federal loans, student loans may be consolidated and interest rates could be reduced as much as .5 percent.  Also new rules announced in October would result in a waiver of any remaining balance if after 20 years of repayment a student loan balance still exists.

Depending on ones circumstances and financial situation, it may be wise to consider saving over paying off student loan debt.  College graduates Philip Taylor and his wife, Teresa did just that.  They held off a bit on paying back their student loans, they saved, and were able to purchase a house, pay off their credit card balances, and start funding a retirement account.  When all was said and done, they had enough saving to pay back a huge chunk of their student loans.

Source:

Carolyn Bigda, Consider saving before paying off student loans, http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/yourmoney/sc-cons-1117-started-20111118,0,6457015.story (accessed 11/18/2011)

An Increase in Foreclosure Activity is a Good Thing

It is certainly a very scary time receiving a notice of default and having to go through the process of foreclosure.  There are few things worse than losing one’s home.  However, an increase in foreclosure rates may be a sign that the housing market is on its way to recovery.  As industry analysts put it, “the sooner the inevitable foreclosures get cleared out, the better.”

The Associated Press reports that in the month of October, more U.S. homes entered into the foreclosure process than in previous months.  The Associated Press also reports that there was a monthly increase in the number of U.S. homes scheduled for auction, repossession, and notice of default.  As a result of this increase in the month of October, homes that likely will be lost to foreclosure have reached a seven-month high.  Although these figures sound like terrible news for those struggling to make payments, industry analysts urge the necessity of the foreclosures in order to bring on the revival of the housing market.

It seems as if this housing crisis has been around for quite some time.  Some have contested that government intervention, which has required tedious filing practices on the part of the lenders, is behind this slowed process.  However, RealtyTrac CEO James Saccacio is optimistic that this will change, he remarks, “We’ll eventually see foreclosure processing go up.”

Insider trading data suggests that some already are beginning to feel the revival of the market.  Trading in the real estate and construction markets have lead some to believe that a rebound is not too far off.

Source:

Rebecca Lipman, Foreclosures Rising: Are We Nearing the End of the Housing Crisis?, http://community.nasdaq.com/News/2011-11/foreclosures-rising-are-we-nearing-the-end-of-the-housing-crisis.aspx?storyid=102828 (accessed 11/17/2011)

Earlier this week, the bipartisan 12-member panel, the so called “super committee,” failed to reach an agreement on the goal of $1.2 trillion in debt reduction.  The final vote originally was set for Wednesday before Thanksgiving, but because the panel did not have a blueprint of a proposed package, the super committee announced on Monday, November 21, 2011, that it was unable to reach a deal.

Automatic budget cuts are scheduled to kick in 2013, and the cuts would slash $1.2 trillion in defense and nondefense spending.  However, programs such as Social Security and programs for low-income people such as Medicaid are exempt from the automatic budget cuts.  Medicare cuts would be limited in the cuts made as well.  Even though the cuts are to kick in 2013, Congress could easily reverse them.

Budget experts have continued to stress the importance of tackling the debt issue in order to get the country back on a sustainable fiscal track.  Some of those experts said, “Congress needed to ‘go big’ on a deal that tackles the big drivers of future debt — entitlements and health care.”  They contend this big deal would have to be some kind of bargain reaching $3 to $4 trillion over ten years.  The super committee’s failed attempt was a shot at $1.2 trillion and was nowhere near the level of debt reduction demanded by experts.

Source:

Charles Riley, Super committee: What’s next, http://money.cnn.com/2011/11/21/news/economy/super_committee_failure/index.htm?iid=HP_Highlight (accessed 11/23/2011)

The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that consumer expenditures rose by a nominal .1% in October, which is down slightly from a .7% increase in consumer spending that we saw in September.  Meanwhile, U.S. incomes rose a bit, up .4% in October compared to a .1% increase in September.  However, despite these lack luster figures, there is room for optimism in the retail market, which is predicting an increase in spending of 2.8% compared to the 2010 holiday shopping season.

This week’s jobless claims rose by 2,000, to a seasonably adjusted 393,000.  The increase by 2,000 was the trend breaker of three previous consecutive weeks of jobless claims decline.  However, the Labor Department is not alarmed by this shift and does not find it unusual.  The four-week moving average of new jobless claims, which is a more reliable indictor because it handles the issue of unusually volatile weeks, actually is decreasing by 3,250.  Economists generally contend that jobless claims must stay below 400,000 in order to see any real market recovery.  Although, jobless figures are hovering only slightly below that mark, it is still positive to note that those figures are slightly below rather than slightly above the 400,000 mark.

Reports also have shown a decrease in purchases of durable goods.  Durable goods are products that are designed not to wear out quickly and are to be used over time, rather than consumed immediately.  Notable durable goods are products such as cars, jewelry, phones, refrigerators, and furniture.  Nondurable goods are products such as food, fuel, shoes, and paper.  The figure for durable goods is down .7%.  However, this estimate slightly is misleading because a substantial portion of the .7% decrease can be attributed to a large decline in purchases of commercial airplanes, which is down 16.4%.  Several other durable good sectors actually have reported gains, such as a 6.2% rise in orders for motor vehicles and parts.

Source:

Eric Morath and Tom Barkley, Spending Slowed in October, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204630904577055931450123646.html (accessed 11/23/2011)

Many individuals when filing a bankruptcy want to know if it is possible to simply leave a creditor out of the bankruptcy.  It is not. The law is very clear that all creditors must be included when filing a bankruptcy. It is often possible to essentially remove a secured creditor from a bankruptcy by signing a reaffirmation agreement. However, signing a reaffirmation agreement on a credit card is unwise and typically will not be approved.  All reaffirmation agreements must be approved by the judge in the case. It is extremely unlikely that any judge would approve a reaffirmation agreement for a credit card and very few attorneys would ever recommend reaffirming such a debt.

Once a person has finished a bankruptcy, it is not particularly difficult to get a new credit card.

When filing a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, many individuals are very concerned about what will happen if there is a change in their income. A Chapter 13 is a repayment plan that is largely based upon a debtor’s income and expenses. In some cases the payment is based on tax debt or mortgage arrears. The payments vary considerable on a case to case basis.

If a person files a Chapter 13 and there is a significant change in circumstances, it is possible in most cases to go back to the court and ask for a reduction in the payments. It is also possible in some cases to ask that the case be changed from a Chapter 13 into a Chapter 7 liquidation which does not involve repaying the creditors.

When a person enters into a Chapter 13, it is important that they stay in contact with the attorney who represents him or her.  Oftentimes problems can be addressed in the Chapter 13, if the attorney is informed.