Credit cards fulfill three primary functions: facilitating transactions, building credit, and providing a revolving credit account. The best credit cards also generate rewards that you can use to discount your purchases. For those who can’t get a credit card or don’t want one, we’ve put together a list of credit card alternatives that fulfill those
Economic recession often correlates with weaker job security, lower investment returns, and diminished consumer purchasing power. As a result, it can have significant implications for your personal finances. Fortunately, you can insulate yourself from the worst effects and turn this period into an opportunity with the right preparation. If you’re concerned about current economic trends,
When you’re building credit from scratch, lenders are often reluctant to give you a credit account. When you’re rebuilding a poor credit score after making a few mistakes, you may also have lingering monthly payments, which makes new debts burdensome. Rental tradelines can be a great way to increase your credit score without dealing with
Young startups and small businesses are often desperate for bank loans or wealthy investors to help get their operations off the ground. However, people have been successfully bootstrapping companies for centuries. In fact, many of today’s largest businesses began as little more than one person’s dream, with few allies and even less funding. Let’s explore
Thrift store shopping is one of the best ways to find great deals on used clothing, furniture, and appliances. If you get really lucky, you might end up with something worth much more than you paid for it. Let’s explore the stories of some of the most incredible thrift store finds of all time, many
If you’re feeling guilty about your latest visit to a sushi bar or an Italian eatery, allow us to assuage your conscience. In the grand scheme of things, your food spending is probably a lot more modest than you might think. To give you some perspective, let’s take a tour of the world’s most expensive
Virtual credit card numbers let you make online purchases without disclosing your card’s true account details, protecting you from fraud. They’re also easy to cancel and replace, giving you more power over when and how much merchants can charge you. We analyzed the best virtual credit cards in 2023 based on their capabilities, reward programs,
Having a good credit score is the key to a lot of things in life. You’ll need one to rent a decent apartment, get a mortgage, and qualify for that fancy travel credit card. If you’re like most people, you might not know the best way to check your credit score. Staying up to date
Roughly 70% of people who buy a house use a mortgage to complete the transaction1. Unless you’re a cash buyer, you’ll need somewhere between a good credit score and an excellent one to get an affordable interest rate on your loan. If your credit file isn’t as strong as you’d like yet, here’s how to
Filing for bankruptcy may feel discouraging, but it can give you a fresh start. Though it does damage your credit score, it also significantly reduces your outstanding debts, allowing you to rebuild without that financial burden. It takes time to reach an 800 credit score after bankruptcy, but it’s possible. Here’s what you need to
