For most people, the mortgage rate theyre offered plays a significant role in whether or not it makes sense to buy a home. After all, the lower your mortgage rate, the more affordable your monthly payments generally are — and the less you pay in total interest over the life of the loan. So, waiting … Read more
Interested in buying a house without your spouse? Doing so could mean a couple of different things: Both of these scenarios are possible, depending on where you live. Let’s look at why you’d buy a house without your spouse, and how it might affect your mortgage. Hey there folks! So, you’re wondering can I buy … Read more
When you’re looking to purchase a vehicle under finance, you may come across the term residual or balloon payment. So what is a residual/balloon payment and when would it make sense to have one in your finance contract? A residual payment, also known as a balloon payment, is a final lump sum payment required at … Read more
Irina Maltseva is a growth marketer with 10+ years of experience in digital marketing. After being scammed by Airbnb and Booking.com, Irina joined Aura to help the company on its mission to create a safer internet for everyone. Jory MacKay is a writer and award-winning editor with over a decade of experience for online and … Read more
Having a strong credit score is crucial for getting approved for loans and credit cards with good terms. But not everyone has excellent credit. In fact, a significant percentage of Americans have lower tier credit scores. If you have bad or fair credit, understanding what a tier 4 credit score is can help you figure … Read more
Theres not a one-size-fits-all solution for the number of credit cards a person should own. However, its generally a good idea to have two or three active credit card accounts, in addition to other types of credit such as student loans, an auto loan or a mortgage. Just remember: The number of credit cards you … Read more
These days, credit cards are almost indispensable, providing convenience and financial flexibility. But while using credit cards for everyday purchases is becoming more common, its also not unusual to face financial challenges that can lead to missed payments. Should the challenges and missed payments continue longer term, the credit card debt could ultimately be written … Read more
“Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to … Read more
Wage garnishment is a legal process where creditors, the government or courts take a portion of your income from your paycheck for repayment of defaulted debt, taxes or child support. However, there are limits on what and how much can be garnished, and you may be able to fight back. You may know that failure … Read more
You might think making a lot of money can automatically grant you access to the best interest rates on things like mortgages, credit cards, auto loans and more. But thats not true. When it comes to borrowing money, “credit score is usually king,” J.R. George, senior vice president at Trustco Bank, tells CNBC Make It. … Read more