Self-Help Articles

Avoid These 6 Credit Card Debt Traps

Credit cards are useful tools – if used correctly. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to find yourself in debt after only using your card for a short time. Why do people so quickly fall into credit card debt? Let’s talk about 6 of the most...

There’s More Than One Type of Credit Card

If you have more than one credit card, you hopefully reviewed your options before choosing the one(s) that best fit your lifestyle. But you might not have considered just how many different types of credit cards are on the market today. Let’s consider the basics of...

3 Easy Methods for Personal Budgeting

You have a personal budget, right? If you answered “No,” you’re not alone… for better or worse: A 2020 survey by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling revealed that less than half of Americans (47%) use budgeting methods to track their personal spending. But if you’re serious...

The Credit Card Balance Myth Debunked

Whether you’re trying to build or repair your credit, you’ve likely heard that carrying a credit card balance will improve your credit history. Unfortunately, there’s just no truth to this. Come along as we bust this common myth and give you some better alternatives. Should You...

What Are Hard and Soft Credit Pulls?

When you are trying to build or maintain your credit, it’s important to understand the difference between hard credit pulls and soft ones. It turns out that one type of pull will negatively affect your credit score for up to two years, while the other...

3 Simple Household Money-Savers

It’s simple math: To save money, you need to spend less than you bring in. Unfortunately, this simple math isn’t always easy to figure into your life. If you’re like most people, you are burdened with some level of debt. And financial woes can be...

Is It Time to Refinance My Mortgage?

As with most personal finance matters, refinancing your mortgage is an individual decision. If you’re considering a change, be sure to take into account all of your unique circumstances – don’t simply get hung up on rising or falling interest rates. There are important pros and...

How to Deal With These 6 Hidden Charges

Ugh, hidden fees! They crop up everywhere and are seemingly unavoidable. Some of these charges are so sneaky that you might not have noticed them. Or they’re so small that you only realize they exist after they’ve added up over time. Let’s investigate some of the...

How to Keep Wedding Costs Down

It’s your big day: your wedding. It’s the symbolic “first day of the rest of your lives” as a married couple. Celebrate the way you want, but don’t start your union in debt. You’ve already established a budget. And you’ve set up a cool spreadsheet to...

10 Signs of Out-of-Control Credit Card Debt

Chances are, your reasons for getting a credit card were solid. Maybe you wanted to improve your credit score. Possibly you were looking for a financial safety net until you were able to build your emergency fund. But somewhere along the way, you began using...