In the U. S. , there are three national credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) that compete to capture, update and store credit histories on most U. S. consumers. While most of the information collected on consumers by the three credit bureaus is similar, there are differences. For example, one credit bureau may have unique … Read more
Many banks don’t limit the amount of cash you can deposit. But if you deposit more than $10,000, the bank and the federal government will have more rules about how you can use your money. If you have a substantial deposit to make, know that holding more than $250,000 at the same bank—even in multiple … Read more
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own. If you have good credit, a good credit card APR may be easy to come … Read more
It might come up whether a credit card or debit card is the best way to pay if you don’t have cash on hand. You can use both a debit card and a credit card, or you can just use the plastic card that is closest to you at the time. Both a credit card … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic shook the economy in ways that had never been seen before. To help, the US government sent stimulus payments to Americans. A lot of people want to know if the stimulus package in 2021 was an advance payment. Let’s find out. Overview of COVID-19 Stimulus Packages To cushion the economic blow of … Read more
Getting a mortgage can seem like a maze of paperwork and requirements. One key document that gives mortgage lenders insights into your financial fitness is your tax returns. But how many years of tax returns do they need to review? Let’s break down exactly how far back mortgage lenders dig into your taxes. Why Lenders … Read more
Credit ratings act as tools to help manage your finances. They give an idea of how responsible you are with money and can affect your chances of getting a loan with a good interest rate. One of these ratings is the R7 credit rating – it shows that a borrower has entered into a special … Read more
The allure of the shiny metal card is hard to beat — and so is 5x points on airline purchases when you’re a frequent flyer. But new things and experiences have made the $695 annual fee for the AmEx Platinum card hard to justify, especially since there are other cards that are easier to use … Read more
If your credit score is 683, you are right in the middle. At the end of 2021, Experian said that the average American consumer had a FICO Score of 714. A score between 670 and 739 is usually thought to be good. Most lenders consider an 683 credit score to be an average credit score … Read more
An influx of unexpected money opens the door to exciting possibilities, but whats the smartest way to use that extra cash? Whether it’s a tax refund, inheritance, a well-deserved bonus, or just a buildup in your checking account, it can feel tempting to indulge in a splurge. But before you book that Michelin-starred meal or … Read more