"Give me a lever long enough and a place to stand and I will move the entire earth." Archimedes (c. 287-212 B.C.) In the world of finance and investing, leverage is used as a way to increase the potential return on investment. Basically, you borrow money in order to get more than you normally would [...]
This is a guest post by Jim Miller, Senior Director of Banking Services, J.D. Power and Associates After several years of dramatic changes due to legislation, increased fees and limited credit availability, there finally is stabilization in the credit card industry, and the stability is reflected in a third consecutive year of increased credit card [...]
With a number of banks implementing new fees, and cutting services and rewards programs, many consumers are interested in changing banks and how to switch banks. However, the process can be somewhat daunting. In order to help you break it down into manageable tasks, here is a checklist of actions to take: 1. Find a [...]
Have you bounced checks or made overdrafts in the past? Have you ever had a problem opening a new bank account? It may be a result of your previous bank logging a complaint with a company called ChexSystems (consumerdebit.com). ChexSystems is used by the majority of banks and credit unions as a part of the [...]
Many banks have been changing their fee structures, looking for ways to increase revenues. Citing debit card transaction fee caps and other regulatory changes, banks are looking to boost revenue and profits, and that means that they are turning to consumers. It's important that you read communications from your banks, so that you know what's [...]
If you want to save money on mortgage interest charges, now might be the time to take advantage of historically low rates. As of January 5, 2012, Freddie Mac reports that the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is at 3.91% -- a match to record lows. It's even possible to refinance to a [...]
Mobile banking is becoming a more and more effective way to handle every day banking needs. With more people than ever using smart phones, banks are putting more of their resources into making safe and easy-to-use mobile applications for customers. One in five people are already using mobile banking. Are you? We'd love to know. [...]
How to Look for the Best Rewards Card There are many rewards credit cards out there, offering a number of opportunities for you to earn free travel, merchandise, and cash back. How do you know which one is right for you? Choosing a rewards credit card should be about what will benefit you the most [...]
Recent changes in bank fees at many banks have many consumers wondering what they should do next. If you are trying to decide whether or not to open a new account at a different bank, you need to find out a little bit more about your financial institution -- and the institution are considering switching [...]
One of the reasons that many people have difficulties with their finances is because they don’t understand their cash flow. Understanding your monthly cash flow is knowing the way your money moves through your individual financial system on a monthly basis. In order to make better financial decisions, you need to have a mastery of [...]
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