Finance Globe Blog

When buying a home, a variety of financial questions and concerns will move to the forefront. While there are many numbers to keep in mind, 20 percent will come up time after time. This is the magic number when it comes to a minimum down payment. Basic math shows you that this is equivalent to $20,000 down for every $100,000 worth of home. So, if you’re buying a property for $200,000, a $40,000 down payment...

It’s a common myth that your credit score can keep you from getting a job or promotion. While your current or a prospective employer may check your credit, they’re not checking your credit score. In fact, a credit score may not even be useful to an employer because it doesn’t provide the information they need to make a decision about you. An employer wants to see your credit information, so they receive a modified version of...

Imagine this: you receive your credit card statement expecting more of the same, but are surprised when you come across a fee. There are many types of credit card fees, including but not limited to: annual fee, late fee, and foreign transaction fee. While these are all legitimate fees that you agreed to upon signing up for the credit card, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pay them. Before you do anything, contact customer...

Most credit cards come with a credit limit, which is the highest outstanding balance you’re allowed to have on your credit card. Your credit limit is based on a few factors: your credit score, your income, and the credit card itself. Spending all the way up to your credit limit is known as maxing out your credit card. Even though your credit card issuer allows you to spend all the way up to your credit...

Buying life insurance is never easy, as you may find yourself pulled in two different directions. On one hand, you want to put a lot of time into the process because you understand how important it is to purchase the right policy. On the other hand, who really want to think about what will happen when they pass away? Below are five of the most common mistakes people make when buying life insurance: 1. Neglect...

With so many small business credit card offers to compare, it can take several hours (or longer) to gain a better understanding of what’s best for you, your finances, and your company. There are some small business credit card features you don’t want to overlook, as they’re important to your overall experience. Here are several to focus on as you compare your options and make a final decision: •    Online account management: Every credit card...

When you’re first starting out with credit, it’s natural to have a limited amount of information on your credit report. In the credit industry, that’s called a “thin” credit file. Unfortunately, having a thin credit file can make it difficult to get approved for many credit cards and loans. In some cases, you may not have a credit score if you have a thin credit file. You need at least one account on your credit...

Your credit card interest rate affects how much you pay for carrying a balance on your credit card. The higher your interest rate, the more you'll pay in finance charges and the longer it will take you to pay off your full credit card balance. When you have a variable credit card rate, there's always the risk that your interest rate will go up. That's because variable rates are indirectly tied to the Federal interest rate....

Trying to pay off multiple credit cards can be complicated. You have to break up your extra money between all your balances, which means you’re not making as much progress as you would if you could just pay one debt. Consolidating your credit card debt makes it much easier to pay since you can make a single payment. The hard part can be figuring out the best way to consolidate. Here are a few options...

When you apply for a credit card, you do so after comparing a variety of offers in order to find the right one. Over time, the terms and conditions of your credit card could change. If this happens, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact your issuer to discuss your options. Furthermore, if you come across something that no longer works for you, it’s worth asking for assistance. Here are three things you should ask your credit...