How To Evaluate Credit Card Balance Transfer Offers

Last week, I promised you I'd show you how to evaluate those balance transfer offers you get from your credit cards, so let's get into it, shall we? Here's the situation: You're currently carrying a balance on a somewhat high interest credit card. I know, you broke the cardinal rule of credit cards by not paying off the balance in full each month. I'm not going to judge you for carrying a balance. There is no slut-shaming here. What's important...

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How To Use A Credit Card - Part 2

Last week, I went over the basics of using credit cards responsibly. This week, I'll take a look at some of the more advanced things you can do with them and I'll also give a brief overview of what I do. Advanced Topics Rewards! Many credit cards offer some sort of rewards, either airline miles, cash back, hotel points, or something else. The offers change all the time. There are websites dedicated to tracking the best reward cards and there...

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How To Use A Credit Card - Part 1

In today's world, your credit score impacts many aspects of your life, some not even related to finance. In addition to determining what interest rate you'll pay on loans, your credit score can be used to determine your insurance rates and your ability to get a new job or a new cell phone. Many people who advocate living debt free also advocate not having any credit cards at all. Because your credit score is used in so many different ways, and...

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Should You Borrow From Your 401(k)?

Most Americans have little, if any, savings. After hitting a low of 1.5% in 2005, the personal savings rate has rebounded a bit to just under 4%. This is still much lower than the 8% to 10 % it was between 1962 and 1982. These days, most people's savings is in the form of a retirement account, most likely an employer sponsored 401(k). With so little savings outside of retirement accounts, that big chunk of retirement money can be a large temptation...

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Goal Update: End Of March 2015

At the end of each month, I post an update of my goals, including a brief discussion of any notable events that might have occurred during the month. The latest month's figures can always be found under the Featured menu in the menu bar at the top of the blog. Last updated: End of March, 2015 Current value: $13,959 Change from last month: +$1,057 Percent of Goal:  12.84% Note that the funds in this account are invested in stock,...

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