I’ll Never Have a Perfect 850 Credit Score. Here’s Why I’m Fine With That

Image source: Getty Images I’ve written about credit scores quite a bit over the years, so I have plenty of knowledge about how they work. You might figure I’ve used that knowledge to get a perfect 850 credit score. Not quite — mine normally fluctuates between the high-700s to low-800s. Sometimes being a perfectionist is […]

5 Tools to Save More Money This Black Friday

Image source: Getty Images Now is an ideal time to do your holiday shopping. Many retailers are running big holiday sales that can help you keep more money in your checking account. But there are other ways to save money when you shop. Here are a few tools that you can use to maximize your […]

I’ve Used Over 20 Credit Cards. Here’s What I Look for When Opening a New One

Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash Credit cards are one of my favorite financial tools. They may have a controversial reputation, but you can get all kinds of benefits from the top credit cards. With the right one, it’s possible to save $500 to $1,000 or more every year. Often, the hardest part is finding the […]

Is a Costco Membership Worth It for a Household of One?

Image source: The Motley Fool/Unsplash If you have multiple people living under your roof, then joining Costco could be a smart financial decision. That’s because Costco’s bulk pricing makes it easy to save money on groceries and household essentials like paper towels and cleaning supplies. When you live solo, it’s a bit harder to make […]

Can I Get Approved for an Auto Loan With a 500 Credit Score?

Image source: Getty Images Credit scores have a lot of influence on your financial health — with a high one, you’ll pay less for auto insurance in most states, will have an easier time renting an apartment, and might even get hired for a job more easily. But if you struggle with your credit, you’ll […]

Should You Join Costco for the Food Court Access?

Image source: Getty Images Costco is known for its ultra-low prices. And that extends to its food court. Where else can you get a giant hot dog and soda for only $1.50, or a massive slice of pizza for $1.99? It used to be that anyone could get a meal from Costco’s food courts. But […]

I’m a College Student. Is a Costco Membership Right for Me?

Image source: Getty Images Costco is hot, hot, hot — according to Statista, there were 71 million Costco members worldwide at the end of last year. Despite these numbers, joining isn’t necessarily right for everyone. If you’re a college student, it’s worth weighing the benefits of Costco vs. the potential downsides to decide if a […]

We’ve Avoided a Recession in 2024. What’s in Store for 2025?

Image source: Getty Images A recession can be a scary thing. And while recessions can play out in varying degrees, on a basic level, you’re looking at a period of economic decline. It’s common for unemployment rates to rise during a recession. And sometimes, stock values can fall. The good news on the recession front […]

2 Reasons a Perfect Credit Score Is Overrated

Image source: Getty Images Getting a perfect credit score isn’t impossible. As of the third quarter of 2023, 1.54% of U.S. consumers had a perfect score of 850, according to Experian. But what this tells us is that with enough effort, you can potentially join the elite few who have perfect credit scores. That said, […]