Self-Help Articles

Diving into the world of credit cards can be daunting for those new to the game, such as young people trying to establish a solid credit history or older folks who’ve shied away from using plastic to pay for everyday purchases. You might wonder how much credit you actually need, how disciplined you’ll be in […]

We work with credit for a living, and we’ve heard just about every credit card-related question out there. In this post, we’ll answer some of today’s most common credit card questions. So, does checking your credit score actually hurt your credit? Why are some credit cards made of metal? And can credit card companies really

Concerned about a recent data breach? Worried about identity theft? Looking for a little extra peace of mind? A credit freeze might be exactly what you’re looking for. This free (that’s right, free!) service makes it harder for scammers to ruin your good name – and your good credit. Of course, a credit freeze isn’t

As any parent can tell you, kids are expensive. It can be tough balancing the needs and wants of a growing family with things like savings, retirement, and budgeting. And, unlike other aspects of parenting, it can be tough to get good advice about the financial aspects of raising a family. For most parents, family

Your credit score can determine everything from your ability to buy a home to your chances of landing your dream job. But what separates a good credit score from a bad one? And how can you bump your credit score up from good to great? Use this credit score guide to see where you fall

You’ve no doubt heard about the benefits of having an emergency fund. In fact, just about every financial advisor, personal finance blog, and budgeting guru will tell you that a stash of emergency cash – ideally three to six months’ worth of living expenses – is a must. There’s a good reason that this advice

Feeling overwhelmed by credit card debt? Having trouble making your monthly payments? A debt management plan offers a realistic way to pay down your debt and get your finances back on track. Debt management plans are offered by nonprofit credit counseling organizations, and they typically work like this: Your credit counselor negotiates with your lenders

It’s not always easy to save money – especially if you’re trying to pay down credit card debt, live on a budget, and handle day-to-day expenses. But even when funds are tight, it’s definitely possible to stash away some extra cash. And you can even make it fun by challenging yourself to meet a specific

From squabbles over spending to disagreements over budgeting, financial woes can be a source of serious strife for couples. In fact, in one recent study, 35 percent of couples reported that they argue about money more than anything else. Want to cut down on money-related arguments with your spouse or significant other? It’s time to

When you don’t make a lot of money, credit card spending can quickly turn into a never-ending — and costly — cycle: You don’t have money, so you have to use your credit card to cover gaps between paychecks or unexpected expenses. As a result, your balance goes up, with interest. Of course, because you

How to plan for large, unpredictable expenses: Large expenses can be difficult to manage, and it’s all too easy to simply rely on credit cards to get you through tough times. But with a little planning, you can ensure that you don’t throw your finances (and your credit score) for a complete loop if you

Your bank can be a valuable tool to help you track your budget, pay your bills on time, and save money. But if you’re making any of these common banking mistakes, your bank can also be a source of frustration. We’ve rounded up a list of the most common missteps people make with their bank

If you’re struggling with high-interest credit card debt, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Debt is stressful. And once you’ve been in debt long enough, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The good news is, while you can’t simply wish your debt away, there are things you can

Tips for better grocery shopping: You went to the grocery store to pick up milk, eggs, and bread. You spent $50 and came home with four bags of random impulse purchases. You still don’t know what to make for dinner. When it comes to spending, food can be a tricky category: On one hand, everyone

When was the last time you shopped around for a checking account? When you opened your checking account, did you compare several options? Or did you simply open an account based on some kind of “convenience factor” (such as a bank that was closest to home or work, or a bank where you currently have

Money is one of the top issues that can cause friction in a relationship: Conflicts over spending, saving, and goal-setting can be major stumbling blocks to a happy, healthy romance. And things can get even hairier when your credit scores are wildly different: When one partner has bad credit (or no credit at all), it

When you’re swimming in several different lines of credit and multiple monthly payments, you may find yourself on the brink of drowning or, at the very least, gasping for air each month until your next payday comes round. I get it. Many of us find ourselves in this situation. Lingering student loans. Two or three

Savvy financial operators utilize a variety of tools to ensure their money is being spent responsibly. One tactic is monthly money monitoring, and there are several ways to do it. But before we delve into the details, let’s talk about why monitoring or tracking your spending for a month might be an eye-opening and, ultimately,

Finances might not make a marriage, but they sure can break one. Consider this: According to the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysis, 22 percent of all divorces are a result of money issues, making it among the top three reasons people cite as their reason to split. What’s more, when talking to married couples about

When it comes to financial services such as savings accounts, personal loans, checking accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposits and more, all your needs can be met using a credit union or a bank, or both. But how do you choose? To figure it out, it’s important to understand the differences between the two

You might be asking yourself, Is there really a list of the best things to buy to build credit… The answer is a definite YES. Have you checked your credit score lately? Is it a little low for your liking? Are you trying to build a solid credit history after years of going cash-only? There

If you’re facing a mountain of debt, you might welcome an avalanche to bring it all down. You’ve likely heard of the “Snowball Method” of debt repayment — but have you heard about the “Avalanche Method”? Here’s how the avalanche method works: You start by listing all your debts, including what you owe and the

$40 can feed you all week. Here’s How: When you think of $40 budget items, what does your mind usually turn to? A tank of gas? Perhaps, your monthly haircut? Maybe $40 means your weekly entertainment allotment, such as a dinner out or a night at the movies. All these options are fine, but what

For better or worse, your credit score can have a wide-ranging impact on many aspects of your life, even those not obviously related to credit, such as your cable or cell phone bills. Many of our past articles have discussed how to raise your credit score, which ensures that you can secure loans at the

Thinking of a Payday Loan? Don’t! If you’re a regular reader of this blog, and I sincerely hope you are, you’ll know I’ve talked often about avoiding high-interest rates at all costs, be it when considering a new credit card, a personal loan or a mortgage, and taking steps to ensure you get the best

In honor of the new year, let’s talk about easy ways to revamp your monthly budget by lowering some of your regular expenses. Truth be told, it’s always a good time to reevaluate how much money is going out versus how much is coming in, but I figure I’d capitalize on the fact that some

When it comes to putting your finances in place, creating and sticking to a budget is pretty basic advice, and for good reason. A budget can help you track and manage your spending, create an emergency fund, swiftly pay off debt or reach your savings goals all while making sure your regular, monthly expenses are

In this day and age, we’re all vulnerable to internet hackers finding a way to access our private, personal information. We’ve all heard the various media reports of big-name companies and even governmental entities’ computer systems being breached, and when it comes to personal finances, Equifax, a consumer credit reporting agency, is one of the

Fun Facts and weird things about your cash. Let’s face it, thinking about money, or in particular the lack thereof, can be a source of stress for many folks, especially around the holidays. But as it happens, there’s much more to money than its ability to invoke panic as it pertains to your finances. In

Your smartphone can do a lot of amazing things: With the touch of a few buttons, you can create the ultimate workout playlist, talk and text with friends and family across the country (or the world), play games, take photos, and binge-watch the latest episodes of your favorite TV shows. But did you know that