If you’re considering buying a home with a 650 credit score, you’re still in the game. While a 650 score is categorized as “fair,” you can qualify for mortgage loans like FHA, VA, and USDA, which offer flexible terms. Though you may face higher interest rates, there are loan programs designed to work with your … Read more
When life happens, you’re covered with a personal line of credit. U.S. Bank clients with a FICO® Score of 680 or above and other qualifying factors could receive funds within hours. To qualify for a personal line of credit, you need to have an existing U.S. Bank checking account. Since you don’t have a U.S. … Read more
The Direct Express card is a prepaid debit card that allows federal benefit recipients to receive their payments electronically rather than by paper check. It provides convenience and security for managing your benefits. However, a common question cardholders have is whether the money on their Direct Express card can be garnished or seized by creditors … Read more
American Express is one of the most popular credit card issuers, offering a wide variety of cards for consumers and businesses. A common question many Amex cardholders have is “can I have two Amex cards?” The short answer is yes, you can have multiple Amex cards. However, there are some rules and restrictions to be … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic created massive economic disruption and hardship for small businesses across America. In response, the federal government launched the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide emergency loans and relief. However, amidst this crisis, allegations have emerged about fraud and abuse within the PPP system. One company at the center of controversy is Blue … Read more
As measured by prices, home values have tended to go up over time. A report for Q4 2024 from ATTOM, a leading real estate data firm, shows just 2.5% of mortgage holders have an underwater mortgage, meaning they owe more on their home than it’s worth. The fact that most people aren’t impacted by negative … Read more
The less you owe on your car loan (the principal), the less you’ll pay in interest. By making an additional payment on the principal, you can shorten your loan and save money. But if you pay extra on your car loan, does it go to the principal automatically? Not always, so be sure to check. … Read more
We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone. Since both cards offer … Read more
Summary: Debt can stack up quickly and spiral into financial distress. Payments of mortgages, student loans and outstanding credit card balances (among others) can rapidly run down your finances and send your credit score plummeting if you’re not careful. Here are some tips to help avoid the debt trap and embrace financial freedom. In January … Read more
Any benefit achieved with multiple credit cards ultimately depends on the cardholder and how they manage their finances. Some prefer to live without a credit card to avoid the temptation of spending money they don’t have. Some do well with only one card earning cash back, while others keep two cards serving different purposes—one for … Read more