Finance Globe

U.S. financial and economic topics from several finance writers.

How Will Loan Shopping Affect Your Credit?

How Will Loan Shopping Affect Your Credit?
One of the best moves to make when you’re preparing for a home or car purchase is to shop around for the best interest rates. A lower interest rate results in a lower monthly payment and lower overall cost of borrowing. You’ll want to move quickly when you’re shopping for a loan. Otherwise, the multiple inquiries could impact your credit score. When you rate shop, your credit report may show multiple inquiries from each of the...
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Frank
You can also do a soft search that won't hurt your credit score. That is what I did when I was shopping for rates.
Monday, 22 May 2017 10:57
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How to Pick Between Two Great Credit Cards

How to Pick Between Two Great Credit Cards
There are dozens of great credit cards out there, especially in the rewards and no interest categories. It’s fairly easy to whittle your options down to two similar and great credit cards, but picking one over the other can feel like you’re leaving something on the table. Here are a few ways to pick between two credit cards. Which one pays rewards in the categories that you typically spend? You may be trying to decide between...
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Frank
My generally view is if they are both great cards, you won't hurt yourself over the long term if you get both credit cards.
Monday, 22 May 2017 10:53
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Reasons to Purchase Groceries with Your Credit Card

Reasons to Purchase Groceries with Your Credit Card
When it’s time to head to the grocery store, what method do you use to make your purchase? Some people only use cash. Others pull out their debit card. And then there are those who rely on their credit card. While there is no right or wrong approach, there are several benefits associated with using your credit card. Consider the following: •    Reward points. If you have a rewards credit card, you can earn points for...
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Frank
I use a credit card with 3% cash back on groceries.
Monday, 22 May 2017 10:47
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Do You Understand the True Cost of Pet Ownership?

Do You Understand the True Cost of Pet Ownership?
Owning a pet, such as a dog or cat, can be one of the biggest joys of your life. However, before you make a purchase, it’s important to consider the financial impact. Many people look at the initial cost of purchasing a pet, not realizing that this is just the start. Rather than focusing solely on this detail, it’s important to create a comprehensive list of regular expenses. Here are some of the annual expenses associated...
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Frank
We have 2 pets (1 dog and 1 cat). I had no idea how much pets were going to cost! The biggest expense: unexpected vet visits (incl... Read More
Monday, 22 May 2017 10:48
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What are You Getting for Your Annual Fee?

What are You Getting for Your Annual Fee?
There are credit cards that require an annual fee. There are also credit cards that have no annual fee attached to them. As you search for and compare offers, you must decide if you’re willing to pay this fee once per year. The answer typically comes down to one detail: what are you getting in exchange? If all other details are identical, it goes without saying that it doesn’t make sense to pay an annual fee....
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Frank
I have 2 credit cards with annual fees. One I get a free companion ticket ($250+) and another that offers 5% cash back on restaura... Read More
Monday, 22 May 2017 10:46
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Ways to Combat a Rising Car Insurance Premium

Ways to Combat a Rising Car Insurance Premium
Does it seem that your car insurance premium increases all too often? Are you ready to put an end to this once and for all? While there is no denying the fact that you must carry coverage, this doesn’t mean that you have to overpay for a policy. There are several steps you can take to combat a rising premium, starting with the following: 1. Change Companies Simply put, some car insurance companies charge higher rates...
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Frank
I usually take an annual traffic class online. This helps keep my premium low.
Monday, 22 May 2017 10:44
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5 Items to Regularly Purchase with Your Credit Card

5 Items to Regularly Purchase with Your Credit Card
Do you have a credit card? How often do you use it? Can you earn reward points for every dollar you spend? Like some, you may carry this for emergency purposes only. Others, however, have come to realize the benefits of using their credit card for a variety of purchases. There are many items to regularly purchase with your credit card. This is particularly true if you’ll receive something in return, such as reward points. Here...
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Frank
I put all of my purchases on my credit card. I use certain credit cards for certain purchases. This helps me get rewards and keep ... Read More
Monday, 22 May 2017 10:43
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Top Benefits of Online Credit Card Management

Top Benefits of Online Credit Card Management
As a credit card holder, there are a couple ways to manage your account. Many people rely on paper statements and phone calls to their credit card company. Others, however, have come to realize the benefits of online credit card management. In today’s day and age, every credit card comes with access to an online account. This may not sound like a big deal at first, but once you sign up and get started everything will...
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Frank
I use the online management for all of my accounts. Most can be extracted into excel, so I am able to keep a detailed log of my pe... Read More
Monday, 22 May 2017 10:40
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Watch Out for Scams During Tax Season

Watch Out for Scams During Tax Season
Wherever there’s money, you can count on there also being scammers trying to trick unsuspecting consumers into giving up money or giving up personal information (which can lead to the scammers getting money). Tax season is a favorite of scammers because so many taxpayers are unaware of tax rules and how the IRS typically sends communications. As you prepare to file your taxes, be on the lookout for scams. Scams For You to Pay Your Tax...
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Frank
During this tax season, I was sent multiple emails on scams for tax software. Definitely need to watch out for these from January ... Read More
Monday, 22 May 2017 10:36
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Merrill Edge Racks Up Awards for Digital Offerings

Merrill Edge Racks Up Awards for Digital Offerings
Merrill Edge is an investment service providing consumers access to the investment advice of Merrill Lynch alongside the convenience of Bank of America banking solutions. Recently, Bank of America announced that its Merrill Edge online brokerage has received several awards in Corporate Insight’s 2016 e-Monitor Awards Report. These include: •    Two Gold Monitor Awards•    Three Silver Monitor Awards Along with recognizing the company’s digital offerings, these awards show that the company continues to offer both value...
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Frank
ChrisB, have you spoke to anyone who has used both services? I would be interested to hear.
Monday, 22 May 2017 10:33
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