Brett is a personal finance reporter and Certified Personal Finance Counselor. He has written for several leading publications and is mentioned in many others, including CNBC and Forbes Advisor.
Unmasking the Factors That Influence Your Credit Score
Whether you're applying for a loan, a credit card, or even a job, your credit score plays a pivotal role in determining your creditworthiness.
Cash Back Credit Cards 101: How Does It Work & Is It a Good Idea?
How do cash back credit cards work? Read on to find out how they work and if it's a good idea for you. If you’re trying to save money, there’s nothing wrong with using a cash back credit card to put a few extra dollars back in your pocket.
A Deep Dive into Good Credit Scores: What They Are and Why They Matter
Credit scores play a pivotal role in financial health, influencing everything from loan approvals to interest rates on credit cards. Understanding what constitutes a good credit score and the reasons behind its significance is crucial for anyone looking to improve their personal finances.
Choosing Your Perfect Match: An In-depth Look at Types of Credit Cards
Choosing a credit card is akin to finding a perfect match—a financial companion that aligns with your lifestyle, spending habits, and financial goals.
Understanding Credit Score Basics: Essential for Financial Health
Your credit score is a crucial thread that weaves through various aspects of your financial well-being. Whether you're planning to buy a home, get a new credit card, or secure a favorable interest rate on a loan, your credit score plays a pivotal role.
Credit vs. Debit Cards: A Comprehensive Guide to Making the Right Choice
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the differences between credit and debit cards, their respective advantages and disadvantages, and offer insights to help you make informed decisions based on your financial goals and habits.
Buying a House To Rent Out? Consider These 5 Things As A Landlord
Going from being a homeowner to also becoming a landlord can be an intimidating process.
New Year, Lower Debt: 2024 Consolidation
If you're staring at a pile of debt that seems insurmountable, fear not—2024 can be the year you take control and consolidate your debts for a brighter financial future.
Family Budget: 2024 Planning Starts Now
As the new year approaches, it's the perfect time to assess your financial health and lay the groundwork for a prosperous new year.
2024 Money Skills: Manage Finances This Year
Managing finances effectively is a skill that pays dividends throughout life, providing stability, security, and the freedom to pursue our goals.
Credit Cards Demystified: How They Work and Their Benefits
Credit cards are now the most popular payment method in the U.S., but many people have misnomers of how they actually work.
Establishing Credit: A Comprehensive Timeline and Why It's Crucial
Your credit score might not be something you think about every day, but it has a significant impact on your financial life.
5 Reasons Why You Should Always Pay Yourself First
Long-term wealth isn’t merely sitting on a pile of cash.
Divorce and Money: Navigating Finances During Separation
According to the CDC, nearly 700,000 couples decide to call it quits in 2021.
Investing: The Important Key to Building Long-Term Wealth
For anyone looking to grow their long-term wealth, there is one core principle to begin delving into: investing.
Cracking the Credit Code: An Explainer on How Credit Works
Credit is an integral part of the American financial system.
Avoiding Late Fees: A Comprehensive Guide to Timely Credit Card Payments
Credit card late fees are a costly expense to missing your payment date.
The Power of an 800 Credit Score: Unleashing Your Financial Potential
Your credit score is more than just a number, it's also a powerful tool that can significantly impact your financial life.
Are Annual Fees on Credit Cards Worth It? An In-depth Analysis
Credit card annual fees are a contentious point for many...
Weighing the Pros and Cons: Are Student Credit Cards a Good Choice?
Weighing the Pros and Cons: Are Student Credit Cards a Good Choice? Student credit cards are a great option for those currently enrolled in school that are looking for spending flexibility and also potentially earn rewards. However, as a student, you’re not restricted to only having student credit cards while you’re in school. When I was enrolled in school, I never had a student credit card as I had other consumer credit cards that better suited my needs. But if you’re just starting your cre
How to Use Subscriptions to Improve Your Credit Score
Paying your monthly subscription to Netflix, Chewy or your other favorite brands are now, in fact, a subtle way to improve your credit score.
Credit Building Timeline: How Long Does It Really Take?
It’s not the best news to anyone building their credit score, but it’s more akin to consistently working out, rather than climbing a mountain.
Credit Mix: Using it to Build a Healthy Credit Score
Your credit score is made up of five different parts: payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix.
Definition of Financial Health & How to Know If You're "Healthy"
Just like physical and mental health, there is also financial health to be measured in each person's life. The definition of financial health, according to the Financial Health Network, is “when your daily systems help you build resilience and pursue opportunities.” In short, this means that your responsibilities are taken care of such as rent, food, utilities and other essential costs — giving you the chance to move onto initiatives like investing or starting a business. Taking care of the
Save This Much Of Your Paycheck For A Comfortable Retirement (And Even Retire Early!)
If you’re trying to build your financial life, you’ve probably had people tell you to save for retirement, but how much should you be saving?
5 Practical & Proven Money Lessons for Millennials & Gen Z
Personal finance can make your eyes glaze over with boredom, or even cause such anxiety that you don’t even want to address it.
How 529 College Savings Plans Work, and The 5 Best Out There
Saving for college can be an anxiety-filled goal for many as millions struggle with student loan debt.
Here Are The 5 Real Benefits of Home Ownership, Along With Their Cons
Purchasing a home is likely the largest purchase you will make in your lifetime, and it comes with several layers to it.
Here Are The 5 Tax Benefits Of Buying A House
If you purchased a home before 2023, you likely will have some tax benefits when it comes to filing your tax return in 2023.
Here's What it Costs to Have a Baby in 2023
Having a baby is an incredible life experience, but it also comes with significant financial overhead as well. A recent study detailed that the delivery of a child can cost nearly $20,000, with the estimated post-insurance costs hovering around $2,800. In the case the birthing parent may need fertility treatments, the cost can quickly skyrocket into the five-figure range. The figures also don’t include any costs such as clothes, food, diapers or follow-up medical appointments. And if you add i
How to Improve Your Credit Score to Buy a House in 6 Months
Buying a home is now increasingly expensive, compared to years ago.
Here’s How Much You Should Contribute to Your 401(k)
We all know that saving for retirement is an essential part of your personal finance situation — but too many are either not able to or simply put it off until later.
The 5 Steps of What To Do With Your Tax Refund in 2023
It’s officially tax season, which means Americans will hope to receive a refund check from Uncle Sam in the next few weeks. So far, the average tax refund in 2023 is $3,170, according to the IRS. This presents a solid opportunity to begin your financial wellbeing journey.