WELCOME TO THE PAYMENTS BUSINESS

Hey there folks! If you’re sittin’ there wondering, “Can I avoid capital gains tax by paying off my home loan?” then you’ve come to the right spot. I’m gonna break this down for ya in plain English no fancy tax mumbo-jumbo. The quick answer? Nah, just clearing out your home loan ain’t gonna magic away … Read more

As a common strategy for estate planning, a family trust offers advantages and disadvantages. Most of the time, a trust is set up through your will. Its purpose is to help your family by protecting your assets and avoiding probate. Let’s look at the pros and cons of this type of trust. Family trusts can … Read more

When you buy a house, closing costs can be several thousand dollars. And coming up with the cash isn’t always easy. It makes sense to put closing costs on a credit card to avoid a sudden financial hit. But can you pay closing costs with a credit card?. Generally, the answer is no. Most mortgage … Read more

For millions of people, owning a home is a quintessential part of the American dream. But with so many young adults having outstanding student loans, the dream of homeownership can seem like an unrealistic fantasy. According to a 2021 survey released by the National Association of Realtors, 29% of student loan borrowers said their debt … Read more

Paying off collections could increase scores from the latest credit scoring models, but if your lender uses an older version, your score might not change. Regardless of whether it will raise your score quickly, paying off collection accounts is usually a good idea. Although it’s possible that paying off a collection account will raise your … Read more

If you are reading a review of the Centurion® Card from American Express*, it’s probably not for you. First of all, you can’t apply for the card—you need to be invited. The unique characteristics of this card, also known as the “Amex Black Card,” both in price and perks, are like no other. If you’re … Read more

When you buy a home, some financial experts recommend making the largest down payment possible, while others suggest financing as much of your purchase as possible. The right answer depends on market conditions and your circumstances. “Its important to ask the right questions about how various down payment amounts will affect your mortgage insurance and … Read more

Whether it helps you qualify for a new credit card or secure the best interest rate on your mortgage, your credit score has a big impact on your finances. There are several types of credit scores, but the FICO Score, which is the most common and likely the one you know, is the one most … Read more

Someone can get a county court judgment (CCJ) against them if they don’t pay back the money they owe. You can get them in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the equivalent process is called enforcing a debt by diligence. A CCJ stays on your credit file for six years from the date of … Read more

Review your credit score and scoring factors to find out which accounts you should pay off first. Debts that are past due and credit card debt with high interest rates should be paid off first if you want to improve your credit score. If youre focused on improving your credit scores, paying down or off … Read more

The average credit score in the U. S. was 715 in 2024, unchanged from the 715 average in the third quarter (Q3) of 2023. The average credit score was 715 in 2024, according to Experian data. That average, as of the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, is unchanged from the same quarter in 2023. For … Read more

Among all of the difficult choices associated with buying a house, choosing a time of month to close might seem like a low priority. Compared to many home buying decisions, it’s certainly lower stakes. Nevertheless, there’s likely $500 – $2,000 on the line when it comes to your closing date. That’s enough to pay for … Read more

More specifically, the word derives from the old sense of impoverished, which signifies helplessness, shame, or embarrassment. People are not born broke, but they make decisions based on their actions, not as a result of circumstances. To put it another way, it’s a thing that happens to you. You go broke, busted, or even bankrupt … Read more

The quicker you’re able to pay down the principal of your loan – or the amount of money you’re borrowing – the less interest you’ll have to pay. The amount of money you’re borrowing is known as your principal. The interest is the cost you pay for borrowing money. Interest and fees are generally paid … Read more

It’s common to apply for an auto loan and be required to put some money down to get everything rolling. But who gets the down payment?. Where Does the Down Payment on a Car Go – To the Dealer or the Bank? Some people need to make a down payment when they finance a new … Read more