With more than 4,000 degree-granting institutions in the United States, choosing a college can be agonizing for parents and students alike. The pressure to choose the right school among all these options, then get accepted and figure out how to pay for it, can be intense. But does it need to be? Why not just…
Your 9-Step Plan to Cut Education Costs & Pay for College
For many parents, the cost of college elicits intense sticker shock. A private four-year college runs at nearly $37,000 per year for tuition and fees alone. So it’s no surprise that even new parents wonder how they’ll pay for college or save enough to cover the expense. But it can be done. With the right strategy, you can…
Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche: Which is Better?
When you’re juggling multiple debts — as most people are — it can be challenging to know where to focus. Fortunately, a debt repayment method lets you deal with one piece of that puzzle at a time. It gives you a precise blueprint for repaying your debt in one of two ways. The debt snowball…
How to Read a Credit Report from Credit Karma
By law, you’re entitled to three free credit reports each year. But what about free credit reports on demand? Or free credit scores-updated every few days? It might sound like a scam. Fortunately, Credit Karma offers everyone no-cost, frequently updated credit reports and scores from two big-name credit reporting agencies. When you sign up for…
How to Build and Maintain Good Credit in 11 Simple Steps
In today’s world, your credit history impacts more areas of your life than you probably realize. Great credit can open doors to the best mortgages and student loans, low-interest credit cards with enticing perks, competitive insurance rates, and even sought-after jobs. Fortunately, creating that solid credit history is within your power. You can learn how…
The Sneaky Thing That’s Stopping You from Having an Excellent Credit Score
You know your credit score matters. Your score helps determine how easy it is for you to get financing – as well as the kind of interest rate a lender will offer you. That’s a big deal when it comes to something like buying a car or a house. The difference between a 4% interest rate…