When Selecting a Credit Card, APR Doesn’t Matter
This is a bit of a follow up to my article on how credit cards work. APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is how credit card companies make money. (There’s also …
Credit Cards
The Power of the “Bills” Account
I’m a big fan of responsible credit card use. (Unlike some financial “gurus.”) With a few cards offering 5% cash back and most good credit cards offering 1-2% back on …
Releasing a Cosigner from a Navient Student Loan
To be eligible for student loans (especially private loans) a cosigner with a longer and more established credit history is required. Sometimes it makes sense to have a relative as …
What is a landlord looking for when they run a credit check?
This question was recently posed on reddit.com, in the Personal Finance section. The questioner asked what credit score landlords are looking for and how he might improve that score. Unfortunately, …
How Do Credit Cards Work?
I see so many misconceptions and fears about credit cards every day that I feel like I have to set the record straight. This article is based on my 5+ …
5 Real Ways to Make $200+ in Less Than 12 Minutes
There are lots of “work from home” and get-rich-quick schemes out on the web. If you find one that works, let me know and I’ll be the first to sign …
Do I need to buy rental car insurance?
Short answer: In 90% of cases, no, especially if, like many in the military, you’re a USAA member or have The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire …
How I Budget My Military Paycheck
Of course, this can be applied to any paycheck, not just military ones. It’s a bit simpler than using software like Mint or Quicken and a bit more complex than …
How to Check Your Credit Report for Free 3 Times a Year
The last time I watched cable (probably in an airport while I was travelling, I don’t have a TV or cable at home) I saw that freecreditreport.com was still doing …