If you’re feeling like you’re spending more money than you should, you’re looking for a way to save money fast, or you need to stretch your money to the next paycheck, a spending freeze could be beneficial. A spending freeze is essentially a financial fast where you refrain from spending unnecessary money for a certain period of time. Dramatically cutting your spending may not sound like fun at first, but it can be worth the sacrifice...
Many of the companies you have accounts with regularly send your account activity to the credit bureaus. Then, businesses that you want to have an account with you check your credit report to determine whether to approve your application. Here are a few things your credit report says about you. Whether you pay your bills on time. Each month, your creditors report our creditors report whether your payment was on time for that month. Any payments...
Purchasing a home has long been considered an essential part of the American Dream. That dream can turn into a nightmare in a matter of weeks if you purchase a home before you’re ready. Wondering whether you’re ready for a mortgage? Here are some signs you’re not. Your credit isn’t in great shape. Not only does your credit score influence whether you can get approved for a mortgage, it also plays a big role in the...
Credit and debit cards make it so easy to make purchases, but they also make it easy to overspend. You can go on shopping sprees without ever leaving the comfort of your home. You can pay bills with the click of button. Unless you’ve told your bank not to process overdraft transactions, they won’t stop you from spending more than what’s available in your checking account. And if you’re short on funds and have decent credit,...
Your rewards redemption options will probably include a statement credit. You might consider choosing a statement credit over other options to help reduce your debt without making extra payments. How Do Statement Credits Work The statement credit is applied to your credit card account the same way a payment would be. For example, if you redeem a $25 statement credit, your credit card balance would decrease by $25. You can redeem for a bigger statement credit...
When you start missing payments on your bills, you'll begin receiving calls and letters asking you to pay for the debt. Depending on how late your payments are, this contact could come from one of two companies: the original creditor or a debt collector. As you may guess, the original creditor is the company who you originally had the account with. This is the credit card issuer, the lender, or another business you had a service with,...
While some Americans loathe tax season because of what they might owe Uncle Sam, many others wait for their tax refunds like children on Christmas Eve. If you’re due a refund this year, don’t blow it. Here are a few dos and don’ts to make the best use of your refund. Use it to catch up on past due bills. Sure, you might have had your eye on a shiny new tablet or nice new furniture, but...
One of the best moves to make when you’re preparing for a home or car purchase is to shop around for the best interest rates. A lower interest rate results in a lower monthly payment and lower overall cost of borrowing. You’ll want to move quickly when you’re shopping for a loan. Otherwise, the multiple inquiries could impact your credit score. When you rate shop, your credit report may show multiple inquiries from each of the...
Some people experience major setbacks that lead to financial instability. Unfortunately, for people who are always broke, the root of the problem is in their own decisions and habits. If you don’t want that person to be you, avoid the bad habits of people who are always broke. They’re waiting for a magic fix. It may be a tax refund, a bonus, a raise, an inheritance, or something else, but people who are always broke are often hoping for...
There are dozens of great credit cards out there, especially in the rewards and no interest categories. It’s fairly easy to whittle your options down to two similar and great credit cards, but picking one over the other can feel like you’re leaving something on the table. Here are a few ways to pick between two credit cards. Which one pays rewards in the categories that you typically spend? You may be trying to decide between...
