Personal Finance

We live in the "gig" economy, meaning that most people have multiple revenue streams to make ends meet. Side gigs like driving, delivering, and performing odd jobs are plentiful, but they also require extra financial knowledge and understanding. Namely, if you're making money independently, you need to be able to cover expenses and build credit....

Zelle is a payment solution that allows you to send money straight to someone else’s bank account, even if they use a different bank than you. Many major banks support Zelle and allow you to enroll using your email or phone number right from inside your mobile banking app. But can you use Zelle with any...

While rental car companies are notorious for attempting to sell clients insurance coverage, there may be a better option. There are certain credit cards that cover car rental protection. Join us as we answer common questions about how such coverage works and break down the best credit cards that cover rental car insurance. Some credit card companies...

Forming a business can be a relatively lengthy and complex process. Or, at least, it used to be before sites like Incfile and LegalZoom came into being. Whether you're setting up a brick-and-mortar business or running your operation entirely online, you need to get all your documentation in order before selling a single product. But,...

Thanks to modern technology and the abundance of mobile apps, taking charge of your finances has never been easier. As you likely know, the best way to ensure your money is working for you is to invest it. Even better, you don't need massive amounts of capital to take advantage of the stock market -...

Sick of waiting until payday to get ahold of your hard-earned check? There are now a number of banks that offer a handy solution for customers who enroll in direct deposit. Some banks and online payment apps now give customers the ability to access their funds up to two days early. Sound like a nice...

American Express (Amex) is known for being particularly generous when it comes to things like credit card rewards programs and welcome bonuses. So generous, in fact, that some new users might have a hard time figuring out which card to choose. While Amex’s card comparison tool makes it easy to compare various card offerings, you may...

Various information goes into establishing your credit score with Transunion, a credit bureau used by many credit card and loan companies to determine credit worthiness of consumers. First, a credit score summarizes your credit history, considering factors such as the type of accounts, how many accounts you have, if you pay your bills on time, current...

Credit reports maintain a record of a person’s credit history, including identifying personal information. When applying for any credit, the credit card or loan company can check your credit with Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Credit reports also list existing credit information, including credit card accounts, mortgages, car loans, and student loans. The credit score on Equifax is...

Companies will most likely conduct a credit check on consumers looking to open a credit card or receive a loan. Credit cards that pull Experian credit reports look for the information listed from your other creditors, including banks, auto finance companies, and credit card issuers, to determine your creditworthiness. The credit bureau does not have any say in...

According to Experian, nine percent of customers have a FICO score below 550; between 2020 and 2021, the average credit score ranged from 578 to 586. If you have a low credit score, you are not alone; however, like many others, you may find getting the credit you need challenging. Several credit card companies and personal...

California has 4.1 million small businesses, employing 7.2 million workers and accounting for 99.8 percent of all companies in the state. As of June 2022, 42,302 new business applications were submitted, a 5.6 percent increase over 2021. California makes it attractive to set up a business by offering tax benefits and providing notable business credits for...

Sometimes life happens, occasionally at the peril of your credit score. But rest assured that no matter how unflattering your credit history may be, there’s always a chance to turn things around. Second chance credit cards present customers with a unique opportunity to rebuild their credit history, as long as they're used responsibly. Join us for an...

If you are in the position to pay off your mortgage early, it is best first to ask your lender if there are any prepayment penalty charges. Most mortgage lenders charge a prepayment penalty when borrowers pay off their loan balance before the final payment's due date. Depending on how long the loan has been...

Most Americans suffer from a low credit score, which has several negative effects, including higher interest rates and the inability to get unsecured loans/credit. According to Experian.com, the average credit score in the United States in 2021 was 714, which falls within the average credit scores for moderate to middle-income individuals. Average credit score brackets, according...

Starting a trucking company involves many steps, including the decision to establish the business as a limited liability company or a corporation. According to the American Trucking Association, in 2019, trucking demands represented 80.4 percent of the freight costs spent in the United States, providing this business category with a gross freight revenue of $791.7 billion....

Not so long ago, you could obtain a lot of store credit cards through a soft credit pull. A soft pull is a brief look at your credit that does not affect your credit score. More recently, however, you can pre-qualify for most store credit cards with a soft pull, but to actually issue the...