The last year presented a host of new financial challenges, even for people with well-stocked savings accounts. For some, the questions were urgent, like how to collect unemployment. Others wondered how to make the most of their stimulus checks or whether they should refinance their homes to take advantage of lower rates…
There’s really only one way to get out of credit card debt: by paying off the balance. But there are plenty of pitfalls along the way to make the payoff more costly than it needs to be.
If you’re among the consumers who paid off $108 billion...
Paying with plastic can be infinitely more convenient than paying with cash, but the type of plastic card you pay with still matters. After all, credit cards and debit cards don’t work the same way at all, and they both have plenty of pros and cons. The amount of liability you face with credit cards is also…
Have you tried to save at least 3 to 6 months’ worth of living expenses in an emergency savings account for years without success? If so, you’re not alone. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans said they would need to borrow money to cover an unexpected bill for $1,000, according to a survey by personal finance site Bankrate. Around 16% said they’d have to charge…
The term “fiscally responsible” is usually associated with government and politics. Politicians and government officials use the word when discussing the national budget and how they are using taxpayer dollars. However, the term applies to more than just government, the act of being a fiscally responsible person is important in your personal finances...
Online shopping is a lot safer than it used to be. Retailers are using top-level encryption standards to protect consumers’ personal information, and lenders are providing consumers with credit card safety features like the ability to verify a suspicious purchase or freeze a compromised credit card. Plus, new tools like virtual wallets are making online transactions more secure…
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to pay down your high-interest credit card debt and your credit score is in good shape, you several have options to consider. Balance transfer credit cards and unsecured personal loans are two of the most popular methods to help you pay down debt and save…