Sarah Sharkey

11/17/2023
Generation Z credit scores

Top Credit-building Tips for Generation Z

Generation Z represents the youngest generation of consumers. As a member of Gen Z, the financial choices you make now can have an outsized impact on your financial future.
11/03/2023
Financial stress

How to Lower Financial Stress

While stress of any kind can take a toll on your health, certain kinds of stress are especially prevalent in American society. Financial stress is one type of stress that can permeate your life.
10/27/2023
Credit card debt statistics

How to Avoid Credit Card Debt

While it’s relatively easy to slip into credit card debt, it’s a challenge for many to pay off this kind of debt. High interest rates make repayment an uphill battle. With that, it’s best to completely avoid credit card debt if you can.
09/29/2023
Past due payments

Derogatory Credit Marks—Grow From Bad to Great Credit

If a good credit score is a priority for you, a derogatory mark is the last thing you want to see on your credit report. Unfortunately, a derogatory mark could spell trouble for your credit score.
09/21/2023
Credit card fees

A Guide to Credit Card Fees and How to Avoid Them

While credit cards are convenient, the reality is there are sometimes plenty of fees attached. If you want to learn more about credit card fees and how to avoid them, you are in the right place.
08/25/2023
SMART money saving goal

How to Reach Your Savings Goals

Saving money is a cornerstone skill for building a stable financial future. Without saving, it’s impossible to build a strong financial foundation. But reaching savings goals is often easier said than done.
08/18/2023
Secured credit cards

How to Build Credit with Secured Credit Cards

Whether you have bad credit or no credit, a secured credit card might be the solution you need to improve your credit. While a secured credit card isn’t the right choice for everyone, it is a worthwhile option for some trying to build their credit.
08/10/2023
Bad Credit Car Loans—What To Do & Why

Bad Credit Car Loans—What to Do & Why

If you are shopping for a car loan with bad credit, you have a challenge ahead of you. We’ll take a close look at the ins and outs of getting a car loan with bad credit and show you what you can do to improve your approval odds.
07/31/2023
Opening a credit card

Should You Open a Credit Card?

Opening a credit card is a very serious financial decision. As with all financial decisions, it’s not a good idea to fly into this situation blindly. Instead, it’s helpful to weigh out the options to determine whether or not a credit card is truly the right fit for your wallet.
07/27/2023
Understand Credit-Building in Minutes

Master Credit-Building in Less Than 7 Minutes

A credit score is a three-digit number that reflects your creditworthiness, which can greatly impact your life. In this article, learn the best strategies to build up your credit score.
07/21/2023
Unclaimed funds

How to Search for Unclaimed Property

Everyone loves a financial windfall. Unclaimed property in the form of a cash payment might give your financial situation a boost. Not everyone will uncover unclaimed property, but the potential to reclaim funds you are owed makes it worth taking a look around.
07/16/2023
Why Having a Good Credit Score Matters

6 Reasons Why Having a Good Credit Score Matters

You’ve likely heard that having a good credit score is important. But why does this three-digit number matter so much? It can impact your finances in many ways.
07/14/2023
Couple financial challenges

How to Get Your Finances on Track With a Money Date

It’s often a challenge to stay on top of household finances. Whether you are managing money by yourself or with a partner, life tends to get in the way of financial decision-making. If you have trouble setting aside time for financial planning, a money date might be the perfect solution.
06/21/2023
How to Prepare Financially When Switching Jobs

How to Prepare Financially When Switching Jobs

It’s not uncommon to switch jobs, especially in the wake of the “Great Resignation.” For many, a lengthy job search can yield a worthwhile job opportunity. But finding a new job is just the beginning.
05/25/2023
Shopping temptation

How to Avoid Emotional Spending

Emotional spending is one personal finance issue that many struggle with. According to a NerdWallet survey, 49% of Americans said emotions have caused them to spend more than they can reasonably afford. With almost half of Americans struggling with emotional overspending, you aren’t alone if you are facing this issue.
05/12/2023
Credit card fraud

What to Do if You Experience Credit Card Fraud

If you are unlucky enough to experience credit card fraud, following some best practices can help you get the situation under control as soon as possible. Let’s explore what you should do if you experience credit card fraud.
05/12/2023
Rent payments on your credit report

How to Build Credit Without a Credit Card

A good credit score is a key to accessing financing options on major purchases. Building credit can be easier said than done. One popular way of building credit is to use a credit card. But that’s not the only option.
03/24/2023
Laid off

How to Protect Your Credit Score From a Layoff

Thousands of workers were laid off by their employers in 2022. As the trend of layoffs trickles through the economy, it’s important to take steps to safeguard your finances against a potential layoff.
03/10/2023
Insurance basics to know

Insurance Basics You Should Know to Protect Your Credit Score

Like having the right credit score, choosing the appropriate insurance policies has a big impact on your financial health. Without the right insurance policies, it is easy to get caught in a financial pinch.
03/03/2023
Emergency fund savings

How to Build an Emergency Fund

We all know that saving money is important. But stashing those savings into an emergency fund can be a game changer for your financial future.
02/03/2023
Personal finances budgeting

Financial Skills to Master for a Better Credit Score

With the right financial habits, you can transform your financial future. But with the wrong financial skills, you might be digging yourself into a deeper hole. If you aren’t sure where to start building financial skills, you are in the right place.
01/28/2023
Savings challenge piggy bank

Want to Protect Your Credit? Try a Savings Challenge

Building more protection for your credit score is just one of many ways that a savings challenge can improve your finances. We’ll take a closer look at the top savings challenges.
01/20/2023
Financial checklist

Checklist to Prepare Your Personal Finances in the New Year

As the new year rolls around, it’s a great time to set yourself up for financial success. With the right financial moves, you can create smoother sailing in the year ahead.
01/12/2023
Holiday cash bonus

How to Improve Your Financial Position With a Holiday Bonus

For some lucky workers, this time of year comes with a holiday bonus. Whether you’ve received a bonus that you’ve been expecting or were pleasantly surprised by a generous bonus, you likely want to put these funds to good use.
01/06/2023
Best Buy credit card purchase

7 Best Buy Credit Card Essential Understandings

For shoppers that regularly spend at Best Buy, taking advantage of the Best Buy credit card might be the right move for your wallet. Let’s explore what you need to know about the available Best Buy credit cards.
12/31/2022
Moving costs and your credit

How to Protect Your Credit Score During a Move

Your credit scores are one of the many things that you need to stay on top of during a move. The good news is that it’s absolutely possible to protect your credit scores during a move. But it will take a little bit of planning to make sure that credit score-damaging issues don't slip through the cracks.
12/23/2022
Credit score habits for success

Habits to Cultivate for a Better Credit Score

The right money management habits can help you work your way toward a better credit score. Let’s explore how to cultivate habits that may change your credit score for the better.
12/09/2022
Positive credit-building mindset

How to Approach Credit-building With a Positive Mindset

When it comes to building credit, the right mindset can make all the difference. Although simply thinking about building credit in a positive way won’t give your credit score a boost, it might provide just the influx of energy you need to stick to your credit-building goals.
11/17/2022
Holiday savings account

How to Protect Your Credit Score During the Holidays

As the cooler weather sets in, the holiday season is starting to appear on the horizon. Although the festive season is filled with lots of fun, […]
11/10/2022
Emergency savings

Can Frugality Help Your Credit Score?

Depending on your situation, a frugal outlook could translate into a useful tool for building credit. Let’s explore how you can potentially increase your credit score with an assist from your frugal tendencies.
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