Here's How Much the Fed's 50-Basis-Point Rate Hike Could Cost New Mortgage Borrowers

May 4, 2022

The Federal Reserve just raised its key interest rate. Are you wondering what the hike could mean for your home search?

Missed The Tax-Filing Deadline? Here's What You Need to Do

Apr 30, 2022

If you still haven't filed your 2021 tax return, here's your game plan to keep the IRS happy.

3 Valuable Lessons I Learned From Destroying My Credit

Apr 29, 2022

Do you know how important good credit is? Here's what I've learned after I destroyed my credit.

$1.5 Billion in Unclaimed Tax Refunds Is Set to Expire. Don't Lose Out

Apr 2, 2022

Did you not file a tax refund in a recent year? Here's how to know if you have money waiting for you.

When Do I Need to File for an Extension on My Taxes?

Mar 7, 2022

The date to file taxes is coming up soon. If you need an extension, here's the IRS deadline and how to do it.

How to File for an Extension on My Taxes

Mar 7, 2022

Do you need more time to do your taxes? Here's what you need to know.

Should You Use Cash App to Buy Bitcoin?

Oct 7, 2021

Here's why you might want to use the popular app to buy your first Bitcoin.

Should You Use Robinhood to Buy Bitcoin?

Sep 27, 2021

Here's what to keep in mind before buying Bitcoin through the popular app.

Is Rampant 14% Inflation Possible Today?

Jul 22, 2021

Could the ultra-high inflation rates of the 1980s make a comeback?

3 Lessons I've Learned Buying and Selling Bitcoin

May 14, 2021

Before you start investing or using Bitcoin, here are some of the lessons I learned the hard way.

If You Invested $1,000 in Bitcoin 10 Years Ago, Here's How Much You'd Have Today

May 8, 2021

A $1,000 investment a decade ago would have made you a multimillionaire. Here's exactly how much you'd have.

If You Bought $1,000 Worth of Bitcoin a Year Ago, Here's How Much You'd Have Today

May 2, 2021

Here's how the leading cryptocurrency has performed for investors who bought shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic started.

5 Things to Know Before You Buy Bitcoin

Apr 30, 2021

Are you ready to dive into Bitcoin investing? Read this first.

Do You Need a Crypto Wallet to Store Your Bitcoin?

Apr 21, 2021

Here's what you need to know about storing Bitcoin in 2021.

Should You Use Robinhood to Buy GameStop Stock?

Jan 27, 2021

Here's why GameStop and other stocks are soaring, and what investors need to know before jumping in.

This New Robinhood Feature Wants to Replace Your Checking Account

Dec 16, 2020

Robinhood has launched a cash management feature that allows customers to pay bills and earn interest on uninvested cash. Here are the details.

The High Costs of an FHA Loan -- and Why You Might Want to Use One Anyway

Dec 7, 2020

Learn about the details of FHA loans and why you might want to use one to buy your first home

Mortgage Rate Trends and Predictions for November 5-11, 2020

Nov 6, 2020

Here are the latest mortgage rate trends in the United States, and where things could be going. If you're considering a home loan in November, …

LendingClub Is Ending Its P2P Lending Platform -- Now What?

Oct 8, 2020

LendingClub is ending its original personal loan marketplace for retail investors. What are the next steps for the company?

Refinancing My Mortgage Was Easy -- and Saved Me Thousands

Sep 25, 2020

I lowered my monthly payment and had an excellent experience when I refinanced my mortgage. Find out how you can refinance quickly and with minimum …

Why It's Time to Ditch Your Store Credit Card

Sep 12, 2020

Learn three good reasons to think twice before applying for a store credit card.

This 1 Move Boosted My Credit Score by More Than 80 Points

Sep 11, 2020

After rebuilding my credit, here's how I took things to the next level.

How Much Can You Save by Refinancing a Mortgage?

Aug 30, 2020

Refinancing a mortgage could save you money. Here's how to figure out your monthly savings, as well as your long-term savings of refinancing.

The Newest FICO Credit Score Measures How Well You Can Withstand a Recession

Aug 24, 2020

You might have great credit now, but what would happen if you lost your job or a recession hit? FICO's Resilience Index is designed to …

These 6 Banks Are Letting Homeowners Pause Their Mortgage Payments

Aug 17, 2020

Some lenders are going beyond what's required to give their borrowers relief. If you are having trouble paying your mortgage, find out what your options …

What to Do if You're Going to Miss a Mortgage Payment During COVID-19

Aug 14, 2020

If you're struggling to pay your mortgage, you could be entitled to mortgage relief -- but you need to ask for it. Find out whether …

How to Get the Lowest 30-Year Mortgage Rate

Aug 10, 2020

You could save thousands on your next mortgage if you know how to get the lowest rate.

Should You Refinance Your Mortgage? This 30-Second Calculation Will Tell You

Aug 9, 2020

Today's mortgage rates are low, but is refinancing the best move for you? Here's how to know for sure whether you should refinance your mortgage.

How to Get a Mortgage Rate Under 3%

Aug 7, 2020

Not everyone gets the best interest rates -- here's how to make sure you do.

What Happens to Your Credit Score if You Miss a Mortgage Payment?

Aug 1, 2020

How much can a single late payment hurt your credit score? You might be surprised. Find out how big the hit might be and how …

Savings Account Rates Have Been Cut in Half. Where Should You Put Your Cash?

Jul 1, 2020

Savings interest rates have dropped in 2020, but that doesn't mean you should stop saving. Here's how you can get the best returns on your …

How to Think Long Term When the Short Term is Scary

Apr 16, 2020

Are you hesitant to stay invested in a financial climate like this? Here's what you need to know.

Should I Open a New Brokerage Account During the Coronavirus Crisis?

Apr 2, 2020

If you're thinking of starting to build a stock portfolio during the novel coronavirus crisis, here's why it's a great time to get started with …

How to Apply for Unemployment in South Carolina

Mar 27, 2020

Unemployed in South Carolina because of the novel coronavirus? Here's what you need to know about qualifying and applying for unemployment benefits.

How Coronavirus Has Affected Mortgage Rates

Mar 18, 2020

Here's how mortgage rates have moved recently, and what could be next.

Coronavirus and Your Finances: Here's How to React

Mar 13, 2020

Worried about what the pandemic could do to your wallet? Here's your playbook.

Here's How Much the Average American Earns and Owes Now

Feb 21, 2020

What's rising faster in the U.S. -- income or debts? Find out how much the average American earns and see how your borrowing stacks up …

Huntsville, Alabama: Why This Southern Town Is a Great Place to Live and Work

Jan 4, 2020

Huntsville has been called the best place to get a tech job outside of Silicon Valley, but still has relatively cheap costs of living.

6 Stats That Show Why Americans Are Bad With Debt

Nov 22, 2019

Do you think Americans don't have a major debt problem? These statistics might make you think twice.

How a Personal Loan Can Raise Your Credit Score by 20 Points or More

Nov 16, 2019

We have confirmation that personal loans can raise your credit score -- and here's why it happens.

Zero-Commission Trading: What You Need to Know

Nov 2, 2019

Those pesky trading commissions are mostly a thing of the past -- here’s why it’s happening and what you should know.

How Many Americans Have Good Credit?

Oct 30, 2019

Do more Americans have good credit or bad credit? Here's the answer.

Report: Fewer Credit Card Users Are Making This Expensive Mistake

Oct 14, 2019

Fewer people are choosing to use their credit cards in this costly way.

Balance Transfers are up 38% Since 2015 -- Here's Why

Oct 14, 2019

Understand some of the reasons why Americans are transferring credit card balances and whether the trend is likely to continue.

22% of Americans Don't Have a Credit Score -- Here's Why

Oct 12, 2019

Did you know that more than one-fifth of American adults have no credit score at all?

5 Financial Milestones to Achieve by 40

Oct 11, 2019

Here are the most important financial steps you should make before you hit the big 4-0.

Here's the Generation That Actually Has the Highest Credit Card Limits

Sep 12, 2019

Credit card usage differs by generation -- here’s who owns the credit cards with the highest limits.

Is Airport Lounge Access Really Worth a $450 (or More) Annual Fee?

Aug 29, 2019

Can a massive annual credit card fee really be worth it? Read on to find out.

The Smartest Way to Save for Near-Term Goals

Aug 16, 2019

Stocks and bonds aren’t the best short-term investment choice. Here’s the smartest alternative.

5 Reasons to Get Your Credit Score Above 800

Aug 11, 2019

Life can be so much easier and cheaper with great credit. Read on to find out how a high credit score can affect your life.

How a Personal Loan Saved Me $4,000 and Raised My Credit Score by 50 Points

Aug 8, 2019

I had a great experience with my personal loan. Read on to find out why.

14 Things That Can Hurt Your Credit Score

Aug 8, 2019

There are lots of other things besides late payments that can damage your credit score. Find out some of the big ones here.

Ask a CFP: How Do I Create a Budget?

Aug 4, 2019

Do you need to get your finances under control, but don’t know where to start? Follow this budgeting guide.

8 Things Newlyweds Need to Know About Personal Finance

Jul 24, 2019

If you just got married, or are about to, here’s a quick list of money advice you need to know.

What Happens to Your Credit Score if You Pay Off a Car Loan?

Jul 23, 2019

Are you about to make your last car payment, and are curious about what might happen to your credit score? Read on to find out.

How Taking Out a Personal Loan Impacts Your Credit Score

Jul 22, 2019

Taking out a personal loan can impact your credit score. But will the effect be positive or negative? Here’s what to expect.

Here Are the 2 Most Powerful Ways to Increase Your Credit Score

Jul 21, 2019

There are two credit behaviors that are more powerful than any others. Read on to find out what they are.

5 Smart Financial Moves After You Have a Baby

Jul 20, 2019

Are you a new parent or about to become one? Read on for some must-do money moves.

Will Applying for a Personal Loan Hurt Your Credit?

Jul 20, 2019

The initial dip you might see after applying for a personal loan will quickly be outweighed by the positive impact it could have on your …

7 Things You Need to Know About Amazon Prime Day

Jul 11, 2019

Are you one of the many Prime members planning to take part in Amazon Prime Day? Follow these tips to get more out of your …

19 Terms You Need to Know When Comparing Personal Loans

Jul 3, 2019

Do you know these personal loan terms? If not, you might not understand what you're getting from your loan. Educate yourself here before getting a …

The Best Side Hustle I've Ever Had

Jun 25, 2019

Want to know how our personal finance writers have supplemented their income over the years? Read on to find out.

The Biggest Credit Card Mistakes We've Made

Jun 24, 2019

It's easy to make a mistake when it comes to credit cards, but you can learn from our contributors' missteps before you make the same …

My Favorite Credit Card Rewards

Jun 20, 2019

What credit card rewards could you not live without? Here's what our contributors had to say.

Discover Just Eliminated All Banking Fees. Here's Why That's a Big Deal

Jun 18, 2019

Discover just eliminated all fees on its deposit accounts. Read on to find out what this means for consumers.

10 Money Mistakes I See Too Often as a CFP®

Jun 11, 2019

We're all guilty of making poor financial choices from time to time. Here is a list of the most common mistakes I see, along with …

Auto Loan Basics

Jun 3, 2019

If you're considering a new or used vehicle, here's what you should know about financing a car.

Are You Ready for a Premium Credit Card?

Jun 3, 2019

If you’ve been wondering how a $500 annual fee could possibly be justified, here’s your answer.

3 Things Car Buyers Need to Know About Credit Scores

May 28, 2019

If you're in the market for a car, here are three credit-related lessons to learn before you start shopping.

Ask a CFP: How Much Should I Be Saving for Retirement?

May 14, 2019

There’s no perfect answer to this classic personal finance question, but here’s how to determine your perfect number.

The 5 Best Books to Take Hold of Your Finances in 2019

Apr 25, 2019

These are five excellent ways to learn more about smart financial habits, how to invest, and how to develop a winning financial mindset.

Should You Keep Your Student Credit Card?

Apr 25, 2019

A student credit card may not be as good as some of the industry-leading products, but it could still be worth keeping.

Is Savings Account Interest Tax Deductible?

Apr 24, 2019

Savings account interest is generally considered taxable income, and here’s what Americans should know about it.

5 Things to Look for in a Travel Rewards Credit Card

Apr 22, 2019

There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all travel credit card, but here are five things that can help you decide on the best one for …

Does Opening a Savings Account Affect Your Credit?

Apr 22, 2019

The act of opening a savings account doesn’t directly affect your credit, but there’s more to the story.

How to Freeze Your Credit: A Step-by-Step Guide

Apr 22, 2019

A credit freeze is the most effective way to stop fraudulent accounts from being opened in your name, so here’s what you need to know …

Credit Inquiries and Your FICO® Score: What You Need to Know

Apr 22, 2019

Credit inquiries aren’t one of the largest components of your FICO® Score, but they do matter.

Do Savings Accounts Have Routing Numbers?

Apr 18, 2019

Here’s what a routing number is and why all savings accounts have them.

Independent Contractor? Don’t Make These 5 Tax Mistakes

Apr 15, 2019

Taxes for self-employed people are very different than taxes for employees, and there are some costly mistakes that can be made if you aren’t careful.

5 Tax Mistakes I See Too Often as a Certified Financial Planner

Apr 15, 2019

Here are some common tax mistakes that are easily avoidable.

Stop These Slow Leaks in Your Bank Account

Apr 10, 2019

We all have some unnecessary expenses that we could cut. Here are several that might be adding bloat to your budget.

Here’s What Happened to My Credit Score When I Got a Personal Loan

Mar 12, 2019

Here’s a real-world story of how a personal loan can have a positive impact on a FICO® Score.

3 Surprising Credit Hacks That Can Boost Your FICO® Score

Mar 6, 2019

Most Americans know the basic ways to build strong credit, but there are some outside-the-box ways you could try to give your score an extra …

Are Credit Card Chips Safe?

Mar 5, 2019

Credit card chips have cut down on certain kinds of credit card fraud, but they haven’t completely solved the problem. Find out what you can …

Why Don't All Retailers Accept All Major Credit Cards?

Mar 1, 2019

There are two main reasons why you may not be able to use your favorite credit card at a certain retailer.

4 Things I've Learned on My Journey to Great Credit

Feb 18, 2019

Here are four valuable lessons for building credit from someone who destroyed his own credit and built it back up again.

Is the Lowe’s Credit Card Worth It?

Feb 18, 2019

The Lowe’s Advantage Card has a good everyday discount and unique financing options, but isn’t necessarily the best choice if you plan to carry a …

Interest rate vs. APY vs. APR: What's the Difference?

Feb 18, 2019

The terms interest rate, APR, and APY are often used interchangeably, but have different meanings that are important to understand.

This 1 Tip Will Help You Become a Better Investor Right Now

Feb 18, 2019

Starting to invest? Consider making this move to help ensure you’ll meet your goals.

Secured Credit Cards: What You Need to Know

Feb 15, 2019

A secured credit card can be an excellent tool to rebuild or establish credit, so here’s what you need to know before you get one.

How Much Money Do You Need to Start Buying Stocks?

Feb 14, 2019

You don’t need a lot of money to start buying stocks, but if you want to buy stocks the right way, there are a few …

Don't Make These Mistakes When Applying for a Personal Loan

Feb 13, 2019

For the most part, personal loans are easy to understand and apply for. Just beware of these common missteps.

How to Set Up a Credit Fraud Alert in 3 Easy Steps

Feb 11, 2019

If you’re worried about identity theft and want to be proactive, a fraud alert can be a good idea.

3 Reasons to Open an Online Savings Account

Feb 11, 2019

There are some good reasons why you should park your cash online. Find out why here.

3 Reasons to Open a High-Yield Savings Account Immediately

Feb 11, 2019

A high-yield savings account is superior to a traditional branch-based savings account in several ways. Find out why here.

3 Reasons Not to Get a Personal Loan in 2019

Feb 11, 2019

Personal loans aren’t for everyone. Here are three situations when taking out a personal loan probably isn’t the smartest decision.

3 Surprising Things to Know About Retirement Plans

Feb 11, 2019

If you think your retirement funds are tied up until you’re older, or that you need to get your retirement contributions in by the end …

Why Your Credit Card APR Is Going Up and What to Do About It

Feb 8, 2019

Here’s how credit APRs change over time, and what it means to you if you have outstanding credit card debt.

When to Start a College Fund for Your Child

Feb 8, 2019

There are several ways to save for college, so here’s what you need to know about the best ways to do it and when you …

5 Reasons to Open a Roth IRA Right Now

Feb 7, 2019

There are several key advantages to investing for retirement in a Roth IRA in addition to the excellent tax benefits.

Where Can I Use My Discover Card?

Jan 22, 2019

Discover cards aren’t universally accepted like Visa and Mastercard cards, but they’re not that far off. Here’s what you can expect when you try to …

4 Things to Avoid as a New Investor

Jan 22, 2019

All investors make mistakes, but some can be particularly devastating. Here are four mistakes newer investors should avoid making at all costs.

Here's Why the New Amazon Business Credit Cards Could Be a Game-Changer for Small Businesses

Jan 3, 2019

Amazon and American Express just announced new business credit cards with some pretty unique perks.

The UltraFICO™ Score Is Coming in 2019: Here’s What Consumers Need to Know

Dec 31, 2018

Promo: FICO is gearing up to roll out a new credit scoring model that could bring credit availability to more Americans.

3 Credit Card Mistakes That Could Cost You a Fortune

Dec 24, 2018

You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on credit card interest, fees and other charges by understanding how to use your cards properly.

How to Get Pre-Approved for a Personal Loan in 4 Steps

Dec 17, 2018

The personal loan process is rather quick and painless these days. Here’s what you need to know.

5 Reasons to Open an IRA Account Right Now

Dec 17, 2018

Here are the five most compelling benefits of investing in an IRA as soon as you possibly can.

How to Achieve a Perfect Credit Score

Dec 11, 2018

What do people with perfect or near-perfect credit do that you don’t? Find out now.

When Should I Freeze My Credit?

Dec 10, 2018

A credit freeze can be a great way to prevent identity theft, but it isn’t necessary in all cases.

You'll Be Shocked by How Many FICO® Scores You Really Have

Dec 10, 2018

The FICO® Score isn’t the only credit-scoring method, but it is certainly the most common.

Online Savings vs. Traditional Savings: Which Should I Choose?

Dec 10, 2018

Both online and traditional savings accounts have benefits and drawbacks. Find out which one is right for you.

The Fastest Way to Raise Your Credit Score

Dec 10, 2018

If you have credit card debt, this move could boost your score by more than you think.

4 Questions to Determine Your Retirement Nest Egg

Dec 3, 2018

Do you know how much you'll need to save for a comfortable retirement? Here's a four-step process that can help you figure it out.

How to Improve Your Credit Score When Buying a Home

Dec 2, 2018

If you’re thinking about buying a home, here are five tips to boost your credit score and get the best interest rate possible.

3 Reasons a Personal Loan Could Be Better Than Your Credit Card Debt

Dec 2, 2018

There are times when getting a personal loan will help you get a better interest rate and improve your credit score. Here's when a personal …

3 Reasons Why That Store Credit Card Is a Good Idea

Nov 1, 2018

Promo: Store credit cards don’t always make sense, but they often have some key advantages over traditional credit card products.

When Should You Open a Health Savings Account?

Oct 22, 2018

A health savings account or HSA is a great way to save money towards health costs on a tax-deferred basis. Learn about the benefits and …

Why Your Credit Score Matters When Applying for a Mortgage

Oct 22, 2018

Your credit score affects both your application approval and the mortgage interest rate you’ll end up paying.

How Your Credit Score Is Calculated

Sep 21, 2018

Ever wondered how your credit score is calculated? Find out what goes into your credit score (and what does NOT) in this article from The …

8 Credit Score Myths You Should Stop Believing

Sep 21, 2018

There's a lot of misinformation out there about what does and does not impact your credit score. Make sure you know these 8 myths so …