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
Now that we’ve defined debt-to-income ratio, let’s figure out what yours means. Generally speaking, a good debt-to-income ratio is anything less than or equal to 36%. Meanwhile, any ratio above 43% is considered too high. The biggest piece of your DTI ratio pie is bound to be your monthly mortgage payment. An important rule from … Read more
Your credit card account comes with a preset spending limit: your credit limit. When you apply for a credit card, the company will decide how much you can borrow based on your income and credit history. Understanding how your credit limit works may help you manage your credit card responsibly and qualify for a higher … Read more
Every time you pull up to a gasoline pump to fill up your vehicle, you have to answer one question: Cash or credit? Well, using a credit card to purchase gasoline can offer multiple advantages over paying with cash, yet many people still insist on paying with cash. We’ll get into those advantages, but first, … 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
Mortgage churning is an unethical practice employed by some lenders to generate extra fees and commissions from borrowers. It involves convincing existing mortgage holders to refinance their loans frequently, often with no clear financial benefit. Churning is illegal and unethical. But it still happens, often targeting less financially savvy borrowers. Learn more about mortgage churning, … Read more
Exempt Property: This article explains how garnishment works as a way to get money for debts that have already been decided. Here, learn about garnishment and how it works in Texas. Garnishment is a process that creditors use to collect debts, often requiring a lawsuit and court judgment. Banks or employers may freeze funds without … Read more
Income-Driven Repayment plans, such as IBR, PAYE, and SAVE, allow borrowers to make payments based on what they can afford rather than what they owe. Borrowers on these plans may wonder what happens to their student loan payments if they receive a large gift or inheritance. Will it cause their monthly payments to increase?. The … Read more
If you’re preparing to apply for a mortgage, you may be wondering if lenders look at your day-to-day spending habits when qualifying you for a mortgage. Lenders in Canada assess your financial health using multiple tools, including your credit report, credit score, and debt service ratios. Lenders may not care how often you buy coffee … Read more
After someone dies, notify the government programs and businesses they used. Cancel benefits payments and close or transfer accounts. The death of a loved one is always difficult In the midst of grief, there are also many details to attend to. One of those details involves notifying certain government agencies and financial institutions of the … Read more