Few words in the English language are as positive and upbeat as “bonus.” Sure, it can be used sarcastically at times, but it makes most of us think of extra cash around the holidays or perhaps a prize from a contest or raffle. I’m sure you’ve seen advertisements online, found fliers in your mailbox, and … Read more
Whether you’ve dealt with insufficient income and mounting bills for years or face a new, unexpected challenge such as a big medical expense or a lost job, it can be frustrating to watch the interest pile up on your unpaid obligations while wondering how you’re going to make ends meet each month. Fortunately, there are plenty of … Read more
Huntington Bank has a comprehensive lineup of business bank accounts. These include three checking accounts tailored to the needs of small and midsize enterprises, three feature-rich business savings accounts, an array of business credit products, and powerful value-added online banking capabilities housed in Huntington’s Hub for Business. If you’re looking for a new business banking … Read more
A bad credit score hurts you in many ways. It makes it harder to get approved for a loan, rent an apartment, and get a job. You pay more interest on loans you do get. Insurance is pricier. It can put a strain on your relationships. Not to mention it just feels crappy. Whether your … Read more
Some scams are easy to spot. I like to think if I connected with The Tinder Swindler on a dating app, I’d realize something was up the first time the so-called heir to a diamond fortune hit me up for money. Other scams are a bit harder to detect. If Frank Abagnale, Jr. was as … Read more
Quick Look A benchmark interest rate is an interest rate that determines the amount of other interest rates. Two important benchmarks are the federal funds rate set by the Federal Reserve and the prime rate set by banks. Higher benchmark rates mean a higher cost of borrowing money. If at any point in the last … Read more
The tax resolution industry has a reputation for sketchy, even predatory behavior. By the time you’re tens of thousands of dollars in debt to the IRS, you’re willing to believe pie-in-the-sky promises of fast, painless fixes to wipe out most or all of what you owe. I’ve spent the better part of a decade covering … Read more
Most entry-level credit cards are boring and bare-bones. If they earn rewards at all, the rate is usually low, like a flat 1% on all purchases. The Credit One Platinum X5 Visa credit card might be an entry level credit card, but it’s hardly boring. Though designed for applicants with fair credit, it earns a … Read more
Whenever I travel abroad, I carry at least one credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees (FTFs) — the surcharges issuers often impose to cover the additional cost of processing international purchases. I haven’t kept a precise tally of how much I’ve saved by using credit cards that waive foreign transaction fees, but it’s definitely … Read more
Quick Look Some loans charge you a penalty to pay off a loan early. Prepayment penalties are only legal on certain types of loans. It’s possible to avoid prepayment penalties. George’s beloved Aunt Azalea just died, leaving him a cash windfall large enough to pay off his house. But his wise friend William warns George … Read more