Credit Card Pre-Approval Gives You Better Odds of Approval but Should You Sign Up?
Credit Sesame discusses credit card pre-approval and whether it gives you better odds of approval. When you receive a credit card pre-approval through the mail, a text or online, should you apply? Does “pre-approved” mean better odds of approval? Maybe, but not always. Pre-approved offers are marketing tools for credit card issuers to promote their […]
Personal Finance Weekly News Roundup October 15, 2022
Credit Sesame’s personal finance weekly news roundup October 15, 2022. Stories, news, politics and events impacting the personal finance sector during the last week. 1. New cryptocurrency theft nets $566 million The largest cryptocurrency exchange platform has been victimized by a hack that resulted in the theft of $566 million worth of digital tokens in […]
Upgrading Your Investments When the Market is Down
Credit Sesame discusses upgrading your investments when the market is down. Any way you slice it, 2022 has been a rough year for investments. The numbers aren’t pretty. As of late September, the S&P 500 stock market index was down 20%. The Nasdaq composite, which holds more tech stocks, was down 28%. Bonds, which are often […]
What Is the Difference Between Term and Whole Life Insurance?
Credit Sesame on the difference between term and whole life insurance. Life insurance is a way of ensuring that the people who depend on you are provided for financially should you die unexpectedly. Deciding what type of insurance to get can be challenging. Your choice affects the cost and benefits of your life insurance. The […]
Balancing the Inflation-Recession Tightrope with Interest Rates
Credit Sesame discusses the inflation-recession tightrope walked by the Fed. To understand what the Federal Reserve is attempting to do with interest rates, think of walking an inflation-recession tightrope with interest as the balancing pole. The Fed is trying to balance on a thin line. Fall to one side, and inflation rages out of control. […]
6 Things You Should Know Before Taking Out a Student Loan
Credit Sesame discusses what you should know before taking out a student loan. The Biden Administration’s announcement that it plans to forgive up to $20,000 per borrower in student loan debt came as a relief to millions of Americans. However, it isn’t the end of the student loan problem. You may continue to take on […]
9 Questions to Ask Before You Lend Money to a Friend
Credit Sesame advises on what to ask yourself before you lend money to a friend. Can you lend me a grand? It’s a question that can make you freeze like a deer in the headlights. A friend asks to borrow money from you. Not just to spot them a $20 bill on a night out. […]
Personal Finance Weekly News Roundup October 8, 2022
Credit Sesame’s personal finance weekly news roundup October 8, 2022. Stories, news, politics and events impacting the personal finance sector during the last week. Job market still growing but at a calmer pace Stocks suffer worst September since 2002 Student loan relief just got a little more restrictive Personal spending recovered in August Job openings […]
Personal Finances Through the Ages
Credit Sesame discusses personal finances through the ages. People measure financial success in different ways. For young people, it may be having a lot of disposable income rather than just making ends meet. When you’re starting a family, it might be owning the biggest house in the neighborhood rather than renting an apartment. For older […]
What to Look for in a Free Checking Account
Credit Sesame on what to look for in a free checking account. It’s a little harder to find a free checking account now than it was in the early 2000s, but they’re far from rare. If you are comfortable with technology, you may benefit from online banking – aka internet banking or web banking. This […]
Improve Your Finances With a Passive Income Stream
Credit Sesame discusses how to improve your finances with a passive income stream. One of the best things about a passive income is that it is … passive. You make money in your sleep with some types of passive income, while others require some hands-on work to get started and to continue being profitable. Either […]
Debt Putting a Bigger Squeeze on Household Budgets
Credit Sesame on household budgets and debt strain. Consumers are aware that inflation is squeezing their household budgets. What may sneak up on them is how growing debt obligations add to that squeeze. Recently released figures from the Federal Reserve show that household debt service ratios have risen for five quarters. When inflation is already […]
Time to Take a Fresh Look at Your Bank Services
Credit Sesame discusses how bank services have changed due to economic changes. People tend to form habits. They go to the same grocery store week after week. They have the same person cut their hair month after month. They have a go-to auto shop and maybe a favorite bar or restaurant. Chances are, they’ve been […]
When Will High Inflation End?
Credit Sesame discusses high inflation and when it might end. Inflation has been the leading topic every time the Fed has met this year. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has raised interest rates after its last five meetings in an effort to fight inflation. Fed chairman Jerome Powell acknowledged that higher interest rates might […]
Personal Finance Weekly News Roundup October 1, 2022
Credit Sesame’s personal finance weekly news roundup October 1, 2022. Stories, news, politics and events impacting the personal finance sector during the last week. Inflation is eating into household savings Debt represents a growing burden for Americans Peer-to-peer payments represent new fraud concerns Long-term fraud drains millions from credit card accounts Credit bureaus extend free […]
