Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of ways to maximize your credit card points. The key is to avoid making unnecessary purchases in search of rewards. And, sometimes, instead of purchases, you can actually gain points while paying your monthly expenses and debts. Many credit card companies incentivize customers […]
According to Experian, which is one of the three credit reporting bureaus, average or fair credit is typically defined as a credit score in the middle to upper 600s: By FICO’s standards, that would be 580 to 669; by Vantage’s standards, it’s 550 to 649. Consumers with average credit who are looking for low interest […]
When you have a financial emergency and not enough cash on hand, a title loan can provide quick funds. However, this type of loan should be approached carefully. A report by the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau reveals that 20% of borrowers had their vehicles seized because they were not able to repay their debt. However, if […]
In the month of February, we covered several personal finance topics. A review of this information can serve as a reminder – and it can also help solidify these concepts so you can apply them in your daily life. We’ve also include a credit rebuilding success story to inspire you. Simplify product rebate apps If […]
If you have a credit card, you can add authorized users – who are individuals with purchasing power. An authorized user can be a spouse, family member, or actually, anyone, since there are no stipulations on who can be authorized. However, some companies do have minimum age requirements. Minimum Age The minimum age to […]
If you want to save money on the items you’re going to purchase anyway, using apps to get product rebates is a great way to do so. You won’t get rich using them, but every little bit helps. Below are 4 of the most popular and highly-rated product rebate apps. iBotta iBotta is perhaps the […]
I’ve been a personal finance writer for several years, and during that time, I’ve interviewed loan officers, mortgage lenders, debt attorneys, financial advisors, credit counselors, insurance agents, CPAs, and others in the personal finance space. I’ve also pored over various reports, surveys, books, and studies on this topic. There’s one piece of advice that I’d […]
If you have at least $5,000 in unsecured debt, a consumer credit counselor can help you make sense of your finances and get your debt under control. There are non-profit and for-profit counseling agencies. As a general rule, a non-profit agency is your best bet because it doesn’t earn revenue through fees. Instead, these types […]
Americans owe a collective $3.9 trillion in outstanding consumer debt. While credit cards provide convenience, it’s easy for this type of debt to spiral out of control. And unlike cash – which disappears after you spend it – credit card debt can linger for years, long after you’ve forgotten what was purchased. Some experts suggest […]