Finance

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the U.S. at the beginning of 2020, quarantine and social distancing regulations caused consumer behaviors to change dramatically. Many stores and restaurants were required to close down temporarily and only reopen with limited capacity…

As inflation continues to squeeze household budgets¹ and makes paying for basic living expenses challenging, many are turning to credit cards to help cope with increasing expenses. American consumers now owe $986 billion on their credit cards, surpassing the pre-pandemic…

A derogatory mark on your credit report can make getting approved for new credit challenging. From late payments to bankruptcies, derogatory marks may stay on your credit for up to 7 years — or sometimes 10 years for certain types…

Bankruptcy is a process that helps individuals or a business eliminate all (or a portion of) debt. While bankruptcy might give you relief from debt, including credit card debt, you’ll face some pretty severe long-term impacts due to this action….

When you freeze your credit, you restrict access to your credit report by potential creditors and lenders. Unfreezing your credit lifts this restriction and allows access to your credit report again.  There’s a simple process to follow to freeze or…

Data breaches are on the rise, both throughout the U.S. and globally.¹ Anyone and everyone is at risk of falling victim to a data breach or cyber attack, and hackers and cybercriminals come up with new ways to steal sensitive…

You paid off a collection account, but it’s still haunting your credit report. What gives?  It’s a good idea to pay off collection accounts, but the fact is that even paid collection accounts can stay on your credit report for…

Your bags are packed and you’re off on that international vacation you’ve been planning for months. Chances are, the last thing on your mind is how you’ll lose money during your travels by falling victim to dynamic currency conversion. The…

The economy has been a roller coaster for consumers over the last 2.5 years, and the ride isn’t slowing down yet. As COVID-19 and its ripple effects have continued to shape the economy, U.S. households have navigated both prosperity and…

Lower interest rates, better insurance coverage, and access to better credit cards are just a few of the benefits you can experience when establishing a good line of credit. In this post-pandemic world of car shortages, rising interest rates, and…

Having a savings account is something that seems necessary in 2022. In case of unexpected expenses and peace of mind, it is nice to have a little money set aside, but a lot of Americans struggle to save money every…

If you’re carrying credit card debt, you’re not alone. In fact, over 50% of all open credit cards have a balance¹ and among cardholders with these unpaid balances, the average amount of outstanding debt was $6,569.² Obviously, the main goal…

Cryptocurrency has rapidly grown into one of the most popular investment options for young people today. In fact, CNBC reports that 83% of millennial millionaires own cryptocurrencies and 53% have at least half of their wealth in crypto.¹ While purchasing…

Credit cards, debit cards, cash, and digital wallets are a few of the ways consumers can pay for items in 2022. These are all great options, but which payment option is the most popular payment method in the U.S.? In…

We emphasize earning flexible rewards points to book luxury travel experiences that yield tens of thousands of dollars of value as our “go-to strategy.” But what if you were willing to settle for less, as long as it was cold…

You may have heard of both APR and APY, but not been sure what each means. It’s also easy to understand why someone might confuse the terms APR and APY since both are used to calculate interest and both significantly…

Step aside, Dunkin’: America runs on gasoline. As one of the largest countries in the world, biking doesn’t always cut it when it comes to commuting. Whether you’re a couch-obsessed homebody or an adventurer that thrives on the open road,…

Parents that are looking for ways to teach their kids about earning, spending, saving, and overall financial responsibility should check out Chase First Banking℠. Created with teens and kids in mind, this fee-free checking account comes with a debit card…

Tipsy [ tip-see ] Adjective The act of getting slightly drunk, but not too drunk To feel a nice buzz Tipping or tilted, as if from intoxication No matter your definition of the word tipsy, one thing’s for certain: Americans enjoy a…

“College will be the best years of your life,” they say. “It will open up so many opportunities you would never otherwise have access to,” they say. “You’ll meet lifelong friends that help you grow your interpersonal skills, be equipped…

We’re all looking for ways to earn a little extra cash. If you scour the internet, you’ll find side hustle suggestions that run the gamut from freelance writing to virtual assistantships. But one form of a side hustle is exploding…