Credit cards are a hotly debated topic in the personal finance world. Some money gurus like Dave Ramsey don’t really recommend credit cards because they can encourage overspending, especially if you have a high credit limit. However, using credit cards responsibly can help you earn rewards and build good credit, which makes it easier to take out loans for major purchases like buying a home
Here’s What to Do When You’re Sold a Lemon Car
Purchasing a vehicle can dent your budget, but a reliable vehicle is necessary for most Americans. Planning your budget to fit in the cost of a vehicle can take months. Getting stuck with a lemon can be financially devastating and highly stressful. What can you do if you stretch your budget to fit in the purchase of a vehicle only to find that the vehicle
Why I Believe There’s No Such Thing As Good Debt
Many financial experts classify debt as good or bad. So-called good debt helps you buy an appreciating asset like a house or business. Student loans are also viewed as good debt because they can help borrowers gain skills and a higher-paying job. Bad debt, on the other hand, doesn’t help you get ahead like good debt. It’s usually used to buy a depreciating asset like
Can You Achieve a Perfect Credit Score?
This week my FICO credit score hit 750 for the first time. I got an alert from Credit Karma saying my score was excellent and I’d have no trouble getting approved for loans and credit cards at great rates. However, hitting this new milestone made me wonder if I could ever achieve a perfect credit score. FICO scores range from 300 all the way up
Can You Buy a Car With a Credit Card?
Let’s be honest, in most cases if you want to buy a car with a credit card it’s not a smart idea. Credit cards have some big risks attached to them and in most cases, it’s not a great idea to make a big purchase with one (like a car), especially if you can’t make the full payment. That said, some people use credit cards
Paying Off Debt Even With a Low Income
Figuring out how to pay off debt can be a serious challenge, especially if you have a low income. But it’s totally possible and with a lot of work, patience and dedication you can definitely get yourself out of debt. Here are some of the best tips I’ve ever received about paying off debt: Get Real With Your Finances Take some time to actually sit
EveryDollar Review: A Simple App To Help You Budget
Take out the hassles of calculating and figuring out your own budget. Budgeting just got a lot easier with financial expert, Dave Ramsey’s EveryDollar app. At first glance, incorporating another method for budgeting might seem intimidating, but this app simplifies everything. Here’s our EveryDollar review to help get you going. How the EveryDollar App Works The app breaks down each month, and does all of
Credit Card Delinquencies Are Soaring
America’s economy is improving by most standards – but is it improving on the backs of excessive debt? Credit card delinquencies are soaring.
Attention, Shoppers: Plan Ahead for Sales Tax Holidays
Anyone who loves to shop should consider timing their purchases to coincide with sales tax holidays; while only 16 states offer them, some shopping aficionados travel to take advantage of these tax-free windows. Jackie CohenJackie Cohen is an award winning financial journalist turned turned financial advisor obsessed with climate change risk, data and business. Jackie holds a B.A. Degree from Macalester College and an M.A.
Why Credit Card Debt Is The Worst Type Of Debt
Millions of consumers have credit card debts that grew from $10 to thousands of dollars in a very short period of time. According to the CFPB, over 5 million new credit cards were issued in June 2017. While some debt does not seem like a big deal, just the slightest change in your budget can make it very burdensome. Some consumers will take advantage of