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Loans & Borrowing: 10 Terms You Should Know
Whether you’re managing your day-to-day finances or preparing for the future, loans and credit cards may be an important financial tool to support your personal goals.
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Posts about Credit (4)
Big Purchases: When to Save & When to Borrow
When you’re looking at a big-ticket purchase, one question always comes up: Should you pay with your savings or finance it? Or, if it’s a new home or car, how much of the purchase price should you pay up front, and how much should you borrow? There is no simple answer. On the one hand, paying in cash can keep you out of debt. On the other hand, large cash purchases could wipe out much of your savings, while borrowing can help ensure you have more savings available for emergencies. There are many factors to consider. Ask yourself these eight questions to figure out whether you should pay cash or use financing for your next big purchase.
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The Pros and Cons of Paying Off a 0% Interest Loan Early
Sometimes, we get lucky and are offered a 0% interest rate promo for a specific term. This rate is frequently seen with auto loans, mattress stores, furniture stores, and for credit card promotions. For these big-ticket items, paying no interest could mean a massive savings on each payment. For loans that have an interest rate above 0%, paying them off early (provided there are no pre-payment fees) is a no-brainer: you’re saving money on interest payments and contributing more to the principal each month.
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Is Debt Consolidation Right for Me?
Credit cards are a valuable tool for building credit, making large purchases, or earning rewards. Still, a tool this powerful must be used carefully to prevent avoidable or unmanageable amounts of debt. If you ever find yourself in deeper than expected, don’t worry – there are several ways to tackle credit card debt, one way being debt consolidation. If your debt is spread across multiple credit cards with varying rates, that debt could potentially be consolidated on one new, lower rate card.
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Looking for a great rewards card? Read this first.
Think about everything you buy each month. Now, imagine if each dollar you spent helped you earn something you really want – like an awesome vacation, designer handbag, or more money in your pocket. In addition to the convenience and security they provide, debit and credit cards may let you earn valuable rewards like these. But there are some important facts you should know in order to choose the card that’s best for you.
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A Crash Course in Credit Cards
With so many types of credit cards on the market, it’s more important than ever to find the right card for you. Since credit card features are fairly easy to compare and contrast in a grid format, it should be easy to figure out what the best card is, right? But, as it turns out, there is no such thing as the “best” card for all credit card users. What determines the best card for you is the type of spender you are, how often you pay off your balances, and how you like to be rewarded.
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How Young Adults Can Build Credit
Becoming an adult opens up a world of new opportunities, as well as new financial responsibilities. As a young adult, and throughout your life, having easy access to affordable credit may be key to achieving big goals (like buying a car or first home) and having quick access to money in emergencies. Young adults understand the importance that credit will play in their lives. But one question we often hear is: How do I build my credit in the first place?
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New to Credit Cards? Learn How to Use Them Responsibly and Avoid Debt
If you just got your first credit card, or soon will, you have probably heard that credit card debt is a major risk to avoid. While that is true, you shouldn’t be afraid to properly use your credit card. The fact is that like most tools, credit cards can be helpful when used responsibly and can lead to problems when used irresponsibly.
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Help: I’ve Been Denied for a Loan!
If you’ve been declined for a loan, don’t worry—you’re not alone. The average American household has an estimated $20,221 in carried credit card balances according to a 2023 Nerdwallet study, so it’s no surprise that many of us need help with large expenses. Unfortunately, some loans get declined. If you’ve recently applied for a loan and didn’t get the answer you were hoping for, your best tool is education.
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9 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score
You’ve seen the commercials explaining how important it is to check your ever-fluctuating credit score. You’ve investigated, learned your score, but now what? Knowing your score is the first step to having good credit, but having a good score takes further steps.
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