Here’s When It’s Smart to Have Just One Credit Card
While there is no magic number of credit cards to hold in your name, I’ve repeatedly recommended trying to balance at least two or three of them to give your…
Medical Credit Cards Are a Bad Idea, Actually
It’s no secret that healthcare in the U.S. is difficult to afford, even for those who have insurance. In fact, roughly 20% of U.S. households have some amount of medical…
The Easiest Way to Ask Your Bank for a Higher Credit Limit
Photo: fizkes (Shutterstock) Having a higher credit limit on your credit card can be beneficial in several ways. It can help improve your credit score by lowering your credit utilization…
You Can ‘Unionize’ Your Debt
When facing what feels like a crushing amount of debt, you may be tempted to resign yourself to feeling hopeless and alone. This is understandable, given how society tends to…
Why a Pawn Shop Is Better Than a Payday Loan in an Emergency
Photo: EP productions (Shutterstock) It’s a universal rule of finance: If you’re seeking a short-term loan to cover an emergency expense, you’re not in a good place, financially speaking. But…
You Can Now Get Your Free Credit Report Every Week, Forever
Photo: YuraYaryna (Shutterstock) Monitoring your credit history regularly reduces the likelihood that reporting errors (best case) or identity theft (worst case) will derail your financial health—and you can now do…
Why It’s Never Been More Important to Have a Good Credit Score
A low credit score is always going to affect your ability to qualify for loans at decent rates. But given the current state of interest rates, having a strong credit…
How to Get the Best Possible Car Loan Right Now
There’s never been a worse time to buy a car. List prices are still inflated well above pre-pandemic levels, and anyone who locks in a loan is locking in a…
How to Get Back on Track After an Expensive Vacation
Whatever the weather forecast says, summer is winding down, as is peak summer travel. When you return from vacation, you hope to bring a few things back to your real…
These ‘Smart’ Financial Moves Are Actually Not Great
One of the most complicated relationships in our lives is the one we have with money. There’s so much money out there in the world—so much that it’s actually pretty…