It’s never too late — or too early — to start thinking about your financial health and get your finances in order. For many people, this means establishing a savings fund, paying off debt, or maxing out their investment account contributions. But if you’re struggling to pay for everyday expenses or monthly bills, the idea […]
We all need a place to live, and your prospective landlord can use your credit score to decide whether or not to approve your rental application. What credit score do you need to rent an apartment? Rental companies prefer applicants with FICO scores of at least 620. However, they will rent to people whose scores […]
Millions of people are behind on their bills. In fact, 49% of American adults have been skipping meals to pay their bills. While continuing inflation from the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t helped, many people struggled to pay their bills even before that. Unfortunately, there are some severe consequences if you can’t afford to pay your bills. […]
According to our end-of-year survey, nearly half of American consumers planned to end 2022 in debt due to holiday spending. For many people, this was due to taking on expensive forms of credit like “Buy Now, Pay Later” plans or payday loans to cover holiday costs. Now, already two months into 2023, many people are […]
Bad credit is like a shackle around your ankle. It can make getting a decent loan, buying a car, and even renting an apartment more difficult. Even the worst credit scores are salvageable, though. It’ll take some time, research, and discipline, but fixing bad credit is always possible. You don’t need to hire a credit […]
Paying rent never feels good. But if you’re consistently upset about the amount left in your bank account afterward, you may be wondering: Is this normal? How much should I spend on rent? Most people probably experience a similar feeling. Studies show that, on average, the three largest expenses are housing, food, and transportation costs. […]
Debt relief can be a saving grace when your monthly payments become unmanageable. And the amount of debt you’re grappling with can spiral out of control very quickly. But debt relief includes a wide range of strategies. And all too often, people struggle to find the right plan or get pressured into a scam by […]
Start 2023 with these smart financial habits There’s no better time to start making a few life improvements than January of a new year. And, according to a recent survey on the top New Year’s resolutions in America, finances are on over half of people’s minds. In fact, 39% of people made a resolution to […]
A lot of us have been there. You spend hours combing websites looking for the perfect vacation rental that’s also within your budget. You comb through pictures, look up addresses and research neighborhoods and amenities. You finally found the perfect unit, the host says pets are allowed and parking is provided – and then you […]
Bankruptcy can crush your credit. If you went into bankruptcy with a good credit score you could lose over 200 points. If your credit is average, you could drop 130 to 150 points. If your credit is already poor, you’ll lose less. Rebuilding credit after bankruptcy takes planning and effort. 14 easy ways to repair […]