Living with, let alone buying a home with, an unmarried partner or friend was nearly unheard of a generation ago. But now, co-buying is not only starting to be normalized. The number of co-buyers with different last names has grown by 771% since 2014, demonstrating that this unconventional way…
What happens to your credit score if you close a credit card?
Some people use the same credit cards for years before deciding to upgrade to cards with better terms and offers. If you have credit cards in your collection that you hardly ever swipe, you may be thinking of closing those accounts. After all, the fewer cards you have, the less there...
How many credit cards do you need to get a higher credit score?
Your credit score is the product of a complex algorithm that factors in numerous variables. The number of credit cards you have is a portion of that mix, but it’s not one of the most important. In fact, the actual number of your credit cards is practically irrelevant compared to the big movers...
Is closing a credit card bad?
If you’re thinking about canceling a credit card, it’s important to know the potential benefits and risks associated with closing a credit account. While closing a credit card can be as simple as contacting your bank and requesting that it closes the card, there are a lot of variables to consider first. You should think about if the card has an outstanding balance, if there…
Pros & cons of living cash-only
When it’s time to split the bill at dinner with your friends, most people these days throw down a stack of credit cards. The world at large seems to be moving in the direction of plastic. About 30% of American adults say they don’t use cash at all to buy things in a typical week…
How to help your kids build credit
Parents have a lot of important lessons to teach their children-how to ride a bike, how to make the bed, how to get along with other people and contribute to the community. Many parents also work on teaching their kids financial skills by setting them up with a piggy bank, or helping them open their first savings account. One important question for parents…