It’s a Key Time to Boost Your Credit Score. Here’s Why — and How
Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash U.S. consumers have an average credit score of 715, according to Experian. And while that’s a good score, it’s not considered great. Experians classifies a credit score of 740 to 799 as very good and designates scores of 800 to 850 as excellent. So if you want to qualify for […]
3 Little-Known Ways to Save on Your Winter Utility Bills in 30 Minutes or Less
Image source: Getty Images. I’ve spent my entire life in Wisconsin, so I know a thing or two about sky-high utility bills in the winter. A balmy day for us is anything above freezing and sometimes we’ll hit 50 degrees below zero. Also, it’s dark around 4 p.m. so our electricity bill goes up a […]
3 Expenses I Never Put on My Credit Cards
Image source: Getty Images Credit cards tend to have a bad reputation as a tool that leads people to debt. But when used wisely, they’re a great source of extra cash back or rewards. That’s why I make a point to use my credit cards as often as it makes sense to. For example, because […]
The One Thing That Would Make Me Cancel My Costco Membership
Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool Costco has its perks. For $65 or $130 a year, you get access to a warehouse of goods sold in bulk. The prices are competitive, an Executive membership earns cash back, and you can return just about anything — apparently, even used Christmas trees in January. For some people, however, […]
3 Reasons That a 660 Credit Score Is Good Enough
Image source: Getty Images I don’t know about you, but my Google News feed is just overflowing with articles about how people with the best credit scores are killing it, or what kind of perks come with 800-plus credit scores. And, hey, I’m happy for these people, but they make up no more than 25% […]
Prediction: More Homeowners Will Refinance Their Mortgages in 2025. Here’s Why
Image source: Getty Images The fact that the Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate twice in 2024 didn’t come as a surprise. The Fed was expected to take its benchmark interest rate down a notch in response to cooling inflation. The Fed’s rate cuts are expected to continue in 2025, though. And for that […]
5 Perfect Costco Gifts for the Dad Who Has Everything
Image source: Getty Images Are you running out of gift ideas for your dad? There’s still time to pick up a winning gift he’ll love. Costco has some great finds that will impress, even if your dad already has everything he needs. Plus, you can benefit from the warehouse club’s discounted pricing to stretch your […]
I Used to Think the 4% Rule Made Sense for Retirement. Here’s Why I’ve Changed My Mind.
I’m working pretty darn hard to build up a retirement nest egg. I frequently spend extra hours hammering away at my desk to pad my long-term savings, and I’ve given up certain luxuries, like a bigger home, to be able to afford consistent retirement plan contributions. Because of this, I really want my nest egg […]
Working and Collecting a Social Security Benefit? Big Changes Are On the Way in 2025.
In October, more than 68 million people collected an average Social Security check of $1,787.08. While this is a relatively modest monthly payout, it’s nevertheless vital to the financial well-being of many of these recipients — especially retired workers. No program lifts more people out of poverty each year than Social Security. An analysis by […]
Signing Up for Medicare Part D in 2025? 4 Numbers You Need to Know.
Medicare’s open enrollment period has been in full swing since mid-October. At this point, you only have a couple more weeks to make changes to your Medicare coverage. If you’re switching from a Medicare Advantage plan to original Medicare for 2025, you’ll need to choose a Part D plan for prescription drug coverage. And if […]
