Personal Finance

For many of us, most of our financial life now exists online. Direct deposits, debit cards, and online banking have brought us to a point where most people have no need to ever go into a physical bank. Without being limited to your local bank, a lot of new options open up for an online...

Mortgage rates hit a historical low in 2020, prompting homebuyers to get a new or additional home and homeowners to refinance their homes to lower their interest rates. This phenomenon was brought about by the steady increase in mortgage-backed securities that pushed rates lower than the average. However, it won't last forever. In fact, despite...

Nowadays, it's too convenient to have a credit card or two on hand when you're out to make a purchase or want something online. They've become especially appealing to shoppers who are careful only to spend what they can afford, make a lot of purchases, and are interested in getting some of that money back...

Are you one of the 191 million Americans with credit card debt? If so, debt consolidation might be the right choice for you. A debt consolidation loan is a personal loan used to pay off high-interest debt. It's a simplified way to combine multiple credit card balances into one single payment. Here's what you should...

Before refinancing your home to get a more favorable interest rate, there are several things to consider. If the timing is right, you can save a significant amount on your monthly payments. Lenders look at various factors to determine your interest rate; chief among them are debt-to-income ratios, credit scores, and the type of home...

When online shopping, you don't always have to use your debit or credit card. With some online stores, you can also use your checking account information. Paying with your checking account is a simple process that will allow you more versatility when shopping online. Below, we discuss 10 ways that you can shop online and...

If you are looking for a similar yet effective alternative to a debit card, a prepaid card may be your solution. Prepaid cards allow you to load money onto them to make any purchases at any location. Essentially, they function similarly to debit cards, without having any connection to a bank account. This makes prepaid...

At surfky, we’re big supporters of cleantech and all viable initiatives that help the world move to renewable forms of energy consumption. That’s why we’re excited to announce the launch of our Electric Car Sales Index, which shows the total yearly sales of electric vehicles in the United States by state. We use credible sources,...

It all started with the GameStop (NYSE: GME) short squeeze. It's rare when stock market news become the main topic at the dinner table, but it's hard to think there is a sexier story for Main Street than a group of internet renegades getting together to pump a collection of stocks and push billion-dollar wall...

As a homeowner who makes mortgage payments every month, you might be interested in refinancing your house to purchase a second home. This new purchase could be for a fun vacation spot for the family or new investment property. Regardless of the reasons, refinancing might be for you. If you think that refinancing might be...

Regardless of if you have recently refinanced, there are options available to take the next step in obtaining the home of your dreams. Many people refinance for various reasons: utilizing home equity, shortening the length of a loan, making payments more affordable, and much more.  Purchasing a home after refinancing is a popular option that...

Are you interested in obtaining a mortgage on a house you currently own? It is possible to get a mortgage on your home. We’re here to help answer your questions. Knowing you can use your house as collateral for a loan is one thing. But what do you need to do to get the loan?...

If you have a credit score between 400 and 550, don't rule yourself out of being able to own a good credit card. Instead, consider applying for an unsecured credit card that will help you build a better credit history. In this article, we highlight the top ten unsecured credit cards for credit scores in...

Owning a home is a dream for many. However, purchasing one is a complex process. From making an offer to negotiating closing costs, the financial aspects of home-buying can be frustrating for even the savviest shopper.  However, one thing that shouldn't feel challenging should be figuring out the income you need to qualify for a...

NerdWallet has quickly leapt into the top echelon of personal finance websites in the United States. Launched in 2009 by founder and CEO Tim Chen, the site has become a juggernaut in the very competitive personal finance space, surpassing older and more established players like BankRate. According to Inc. Magazine, the company is worth a...

Much about the home-buying process can be confusing. When you add mortgages to the mix, it can become even more challenging. From interest rates to closing costs, it can be tough to keep track of everything it takes to become a homeowner. Unfortunately, being prepared for everything is next to impossible, and sometimes life can...

Securing a mortgage may seem like an unattainable goal for individuals making $20,000 to $30,000 a year; however, the difficulty isn't necessarily true. While your income does play a role in a lender's decision-making process, there are many other factors that a lender considers before a mortgage is granted. To help you better understand how...