Millions of Americans rely on savings accounts and checking accounts from banks and credit unions to help manage their money. Although it’s possible to function in society today with no bank account, it’s not recommended. Because you can’t keep cash or funds safe without a bank account, and it’s harder to use, move, and manage … Read more
Your credit utilization rate is the percentage of available credit that youâre using on your credit cards and other lines of credit. Itâs based on the balances that appear in your credit report. In general, a lower utilization rate is best. Your credit utilization ratio, sometimes called your credit utilization rate, is the amount of … Read more
It can be tempting to pay off your mortgage early, especially if you have the funds readily available. You can retire debt-free, save on interest and even divert those savings to higher-earning investments. There are some bad things about paying off your mortgage early, though, and it’s not always the best idea. If youre looking … Read more
Creating the optimum banking experience covers a lot of ground today – from streamlined service and improved security like cash recyclers and ATMs, to a clean, organized bank – including the customer-employee relationship. The way your staff treats customers is a big part of whether they come back or go to a competitor. Creating the … Read more
“Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to … Read more
I was laid off from the small newspaper in New Hampshire in 2013. Like any other sensible unemployed person, I decided to move to a city I couldn’t afford and didn’t have any savings for! We’ve all heard that famous New York City motto — you know, “The city so nice they named it twice” … Read more
If your credit score is 715, you are right in the middle. According to Experian, the average American consumer has a FICO Score of 714 as of 2021, and anything in the range of 670 to 739 is generally considered to be a good credit score. Most lenders consider an 715 credit score to be … Read more
A lot of households in the UK pay for things like Netflix, Spotify, and gym memberships on a monthly basis. Even though making these regular payments can show that you are responsible with money, subscriptions don’t directly improve your credit score. But if you use subscriptions in the right way, they can help you build … Read more
Buying a home is likely the biggest purchase you’ll ever make After going through the lengthy process of getting a mortgage approved, securing a home, and finalizing all the closing paperwork, you can finally call yourself a homeowner! But now what? Can you go back to using your credit cards like normal? Or do you … Read more
On a scale of 300-850, a “good” credit score falls somewhere in the mid-600s to mid-700s. Learn how to get a good score and what opportunities it unlocks. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or … Read more