Should you apply for a credit-builder loan if you don’t have great credit? Trying to build credit can be a challenge. This is especially true if you have no credit history or bad credit and can’t get a loan. Your payment history is one of the most important components of your credit score. If you can’t get approved […]
Category: Personal Finance
Are you financially prepared for retirement? 8 steps to take
If you want to save more money in 2021, you’re not alone. A Fidelity Investments study found that 44% of Americans want to boost their savings rate. Increasing your retirement savings can be your ultimate money goal this year, as one survey found that 27% of respondents stopped saving for retirement in 2020. Another one-quarter […]
4 surefire signs you’re ready to retire
Are you ready for retirement? You may be someone who has looked forward to retiring from the day you started working, or maybe you won’t ever completely stop working. No matter what you’ve envisioned, it’s a very important milestone, and the retirement date you choose will be defined by more than just your age. You […]
The Downsides of Retirement That Nobody Talks About
The realities you face when you stop working might be a far cry from your retirement dream. Of course, retiring broke or not being able to retire at all are among the worst-case scenarios. But there are plenty of other snags you might encounter. If you haven’t properly prepared for leaving the working world and […]
The Best Credit Card Welcome Bonuses Right Now
If you’re thinking of getting a travel card, this is a good time to get one. With over two thirds of of Americans planning to travel later this year, credit companies have stepped up efforts to capture new cardholders this spring and are offering record-setting (or at least record-tying) welcome bonuses. Here’s a look at […]
How Virtual Credit Card Numbers Can Protect You
If you shop online, you may want to think about using a virtual credit card number to better protect against fraud. If you’re making purchases online, either on your computer or a mobile device, you may feel uncomfortable entering your credit card details. There are many online scammers, and it seems like there are always […]
Cleaning up your credit safely
Americans who are dealing with financial hardship because of job loss and aftermath caused by the pandemic could be struggling to make ends meat and in some cases they might be racking up credit card debt or they’re simply late on paying bills. KGUN 9 caught up with Sean Herdrick with the Better Business Bureau […]
New grads: Why you need a good credit score after college and how to get it
With the end of the school year just around the corner, many seniors are beginning to focus on life after college. While a new grad’s credit score might not be top of mind at the moment, it’s arguably one of the most important things to think about as soon as they get their diploma — if not […]
The Perfect Storm for Retirees
Today’s retirees are unlike any other retirees in history: They’re living longer, and many of them want to spend more in retirement than previous generations. At the same time, the fear of running out of money is incredibly common, and for good reason. The bargain made decades ago in the transition from defined benefit pension […]
Workers are a year into collecting unemployment benefits. It’s causing problems
It’s been about a year since millions of Americans filed for unemployment benefits in the early days of the Covid pandemic. That anniversary seems to be posing administrative issues in some states. They may result in delayed benefits or a lower-than-anticipated amount of aid. “I do think it’s a snag that’s catching certain people,” said […]
The 4 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make When Buying Bitcoin
People have made a lot of money from Bitcoin. If you’d invested $100 when the coin first launched in 2009, your Bitcoin could be worth millions of dollars today. But let’s not forget — many people have also lost millions of dollars on Bitcoin. Whether it’s from buying high and selling low, getting hacked, falling […]
How to fill in your financial blind spots
Knowing enough about money to cover your bills is a start, but it’s not enough financial literacy to provide long-term security. Most of us eventually wonder what else we should be doing — and whether what we don’t know could hurt us. “When you have a blind spot, you don’t realize until something blindsides you,” […]