Personal Finance

There are several ways to consolidate your credit debt in order to simplify your finances and allow you to pay off your balances sooner.

Learn how to write your will, either on your own or with the help of an attorney, to ensure your loved ones are taken care of when you die.

A medical power of attorney is a way to appoint an agent to make decisions about your health care if you are unable to do so due to illness or injury.

Credit score is almost entirely within your control, and there are many steps that you can take to improve it. Here are 8 ways you can improve your credit score.

APR and APY are essential measures of interest rates when dealing with your finances. Learn more about APR vs. APY and how to use them here.

Improving your credit isn't rocket science, but you do have to treat your credit with care. Find out which steps you can take to boost your credit score fast.

Hard and soft credit inquiries are different ways to check your credit. Hard inquiries can decrease your credit score, while soft inquiries don’t affect it.

APR is more important than the interest rate on a loan. APR reflects the true cost of a loan because it includes any fees charged by the lender – in addition to the interest rate.

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is a critical metric that lenders, especially mortgage lenders, take into account when reviewing a loan application. DTI measures the ratio of an individual’s minimum monthly debt payments to their monthly gross income.

A good credit score starts at 661, although it really depends on the type of scoring model you use. Find out what good credit looks like and how to get it.

Successful debt consolidation will help your credit by allowing you to reduce or eliminate your debt sooner, while paying less in interest charges.

If you want to increase your credit limit, you have a few options. Learn how to get started and the benefits of having a higher credit limit in this article.

A soft credit check is an inquiry used to check credit for pre-approval or informational purposes. Unlike hard credit checks, soft credit checks do not affect credit scores.

Revolving credit is a type of loan that lets you borrow at different times and in different amounts, while you make regular payments in proportion to the outstanding balance.

Filing for bankruptcy can have a severe impact on your credit score. In most cases, bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 7 to 10 years.

A budget is a plan for how you will spend your money, and it's one of the most common financial management tools to avoid spending more than you earn.

What is a line of credit? It’s a highly flexible financing arrangement, providing the consumer with access to ready cash, and even an opportunity to improve his or her credit score.

Need to check your credit score? See how you can access a free credit report and learn what factors contribute to your credit score.

Refinancing can help you get better loan terms, but will it impact your credit score? Find out how refinancing a loan works and how it can affect your credit.

Debit and credit cards each have their advantages and disadvantages, but both are useful to keep in your wallet as long as you use them responsibly.

This article provides an overview of money orders and how they work. Topics in the article include: what is it, how to purchase one, when should you use it and more.

A beneficiary is the person or entity you choose to receive a certain investment, account or asset. Take a closer look at your options and how to choose a beneficiary.

Adding an irrevocable beneficiary to your life insurance policy has pros and cons. Learn more about this type of beneficiary to see if it's right for you.

Dying without a will complicates what your loved ones receive. The process can be drawn out. Here’s what happens if you die without a will and how to avoid it.

Probate is a legal process used to distribute assets when someone passes away. Find out how probate works and when you can avoid it.

Wills and trusts are both legal documents that help distribute your assets after you die. But what is the difference, and which one do you need?

A living will ensures you get the type of end-of-life medical care you want for yourself. Learn more about living wills and why you might need one.

A trust is a legal entity you can set up to hold your assets and transfer them to your heirs without probate court or fees. There are several types of trusts available, based on your estate-planning goals.

Receiving an inheritance can be a great financial opportunity. By making smart choices and avoiding poor choices can help you improve your long-term financial situation.

A hard inquiry is the result of an application for new credit, and is unlikely to significantly hurt your credit score.

When it comes to personal finance podcasts you have a lot of choices, and big names aren’t always better. Here are 11 of the best shows to help in your search.