Month archive

May 2024 Articles

BillSaver articles published in May 2024.

Month archive

Articles in this archive

Why Do Mortgage Loans Get Sold?
Buying A House3 min read

Why Do Mortgage Loans Get Sold?

John Oldshue · May 30, 2024

It happens all the time. Someone takes out a mortgage with one financial institution and a few years later, the bank sells the debt to another entity. While this is common practice, you may be wondering why banks sell mortgages. While it is legal for a bank to

5 Best Financial Apps for Saving Money
Cell Phone Tips3 min read

5 Best Financial Apps for Saving Money

Bill Hardekopf · May 28, 2024

You know how important it is to save money—for emergencies, retirement and other goals—but you may be having a difficult time figuring out how to do it. Fortunately, there are a number of mobile apps available to help. Here are five of the best apps to get you

Three Common Credit Myths on Joint Accounts
Building Credit2 min read

Three Common Credit Myths on Joint Accounts

John Oldshue · May 27, 2024

When people get engaged, they suddenly have to answer a number of questions about how they will spend the rest of their lives together. When will they get married? Where will they live? Should they combine their financial accounts? When it comes to that final

Paying Off Credit Card Debt–A Great “Investment” You Can Make
Debt Reduction1 min read

Paying Off Credit Card Debt–A Great “Investment” You Can Make

John Oldshue · May 26, 2024

We all know it is smart to invest money, because it generally grows over time, which can bring us long-term profits. When we think of investments, stocks, mutual funds and bonds generally come to mind. While paying off credit card debt may not seem like an inv

Do Credit Cards Expire on the First or Last Day of the Month?
Understanding Credit Cards2 min read

Do Credit Cards Expire on the First or Last Day of the Month?

John Oldshue · May 22, 2024

On the front of every debit and credit card is an expiration date. Usually, this date is simply the month and the year, which leaves users to ponder: do cards expire on the first or last day of the month? Most credit cards do not expire until the last day of t

Financial Audit: 5 Things to Stop Paying for Each Month
Debt Reduction2 min read

Financial Audit: 5 Things to Stop Paying for Each Month

John Oldshue · May 21, 2024

Cutting expenses and saving more are financial goals we all have. However, many people struggle to figure out how to cut spending. Here are five things you can do without each month. 1. Landline Phones If you have a cell phone (and 95% of Americans do), you ma

Can My Savings Account Be Garnished?
Saving More3 min read

Can My Savings Account Be Garnished?

John Oldshue · May 21, 2024

If you get behind on your income taxes, student loan payments, or child support, a government agency can garnish a percentage of your wages to pay the debt. What you may not know is that creditors can also remove funds from your bank accounts, which is called

How Your Credit Score is Calculated
Building Credit4 min read

How Your Credit Score is Calculated

John Oldshue · May 20, 2024

Your credit score is a three-digit number that can make or break your financial future. It represents your payment history and helps potential lenders predict your ability to make future payments. Every time you use your credit card, miss a payment or go over

Credit Card Tips and Tricks
Understanding Credit Cards3 min read

Credit Card Tips and Tricks

John Oldshue · May 19, 2024

When used incorrectly, credit cards can be an expensive way to pay for goods and services. The golden rule of credit card use is to pay off your full balance on time each month. If you do, your credit card will become an excellent financial tool, as it provide

Can Credit Cards be Recycled?
Understanding Credit Cards2 min read

Can Credit Cards be Recycled?

Bill Hardekopf · May 18, 2024

If you are eco-conscious and have had a credit, debit, or gift card expire recently, you may be wondering if you can recycle the plastic. The simple answer is yes, but in most areas, you cannot simply toss it into your curbside recycling bin. Credit cards are

Why Do Credit Cards Get Declined?
Understanding Credit Cards3 min read

Why Do Credit Cards Get Declined?

John Oldshue · May 17, 2024

There are few things in life more embarrassing than having your credit card declined. Even worse than the embarrassment is the lack of information offered by the merchant. There are actually many reasons a credit card can be declined that have nothing to do wi

Credit Score vs. Credit Report – Which Is More Important?
Building Credit4 min read

Credit Score vs. Credit Report – Which Is More Important?

Bill Hardekopf · May 16, 2024

Gaining a clear understanding about credit scores and credit reports can be difficult, and this lack of clarity is not accidental. The companies that issue credit scores do not share the formula they use to generate the score, which is one reason why people ar

What Affects Your Credit Score?
Building Credit4 min read

What Affects Your Credit Score?

John Oldshue · May 13, 2024

Knowing what factors affect your credit score is a bit like knowing what questions will be on an important exam. If you know what will be asked, you will know where to focus your studying efforts. It is the same with building your credit. If you know what thin

Are Balance Transfers Worth It?
Debt Reduction3 min read

Are Balance Transfers Worth It?

Bill Hardekopf · May 10, 2024

Many Americans regularly receive offers from credit card companies, which offer 0% interest rates on balance transfers. These offers look tempting, but are they worthwhile? Balance transfers can be a good way to save money on interest charges. However, they co

Which Credit Cards Help Authorized Users Build Credit?
Building Credit4 min read

Which Credit Cards Help Authorized Users Build Credit?

John Oldshue · May 7, 2024

If you are trying to build or rebuild your credit, obtaining a credit card can be the best way to increase your score. However, if you do not have a solid credit history, it may be difficult to get approved for a card. It’s a paradox. How can you build good en

5 Unconventional Investments for Retirement
Saving For Retirement3 min read

5 Unconventional Investments for Retirement

John Oldshue · May 6, 2024

You are probably familiar with classic retirement investments, such as an IRA or an employee-sponsored 401(K) plan. What you may not know is that there are a number of other investment opportunities, and many experts, including PricewaterhouseCoopers, have sai

Can My Credit Report Affect Me Getting A Job?
Building Credit4 min read

Can My Credit Report Affect Me Getting A Job?

John Oldshue · May 5, 2024

Most people know that a low credit score and problematic credit report can prevent them from purchasing a home, financing a new car, or getting a good interest rate on a credit card. However, what is not as clear is whether poor credit can affect your chances

Do Credit Cards Get Cancelled If Not Used?
Understanding Credit Cards2 min read

Do Credit Cards Get Cancelled If Not Used?

John Oldshue · May 5, 2024

Since your credit card has an expiration date, you may worry that it will get cancelled if you are not using it. While this is a concern to keep in mind, most credit card issuers will not cancel your card unless you request that they do so. There are, however,

5 Tips For Maximizing Credit Card Rewards
Saving More4 min read

5 Tips For Maximizing Credit Card Rewards

Bill Hardekopf · May 5, 2024

Credit card rewards have become a major benefit to consumers who use their cards responsibly. If you pay off your balance in full each month, you can actually make money by paying for goods and services with your credit card. It is important to know that credi

6 Types of Term Life Insurance
Term Life Insurance4 min read

6 Types of Term Life Insurance

John Oldshue · May 4, 2024

Did you know that there are different types of term life insurance policies you can apply for? Many insurance companies will offer term life insurance without putting it into a category, but that doesn’t mean they are all created equal. You have to assess the