credit repair

by Quinten Plummer Nobody plans to go into debt. But things happen. Maybe you lost your job, or got divorced or just had a rough stretch of luck.The next thing you know, you’re struggling to make your payments, your credit score is taking a hit and it feels like you’ll never be able to climb your way out of this hole.You may think you only have a few options: bankruptcy,

Varo BankBest for Cash Back3.00% APYAxos Bank Essential Checking AccountBest for Unlimited ATM AccessUp to 1.25%Chime SpendingBest for Digital Features0.50% APYAlly Interest CheckingBest for No Fee PerksUp to 0.25%by Kathleen GarvinContributor Do you remember why you chose your current checking account? If you got started early, your parents might have helped you open a kids’ checking or savings account at their bank’s branch. Or maybe you went with the credit

by Robert BruceSenior WriterThe student loan servicing industry has had better days.Over the last several months, many servicers – companies that contract with the federal government to manage billing, customer service, etc – are stepping out of the loan servicing business.Here’s a quick breakdown: Richard Cordray, COO of Federal Student Aid, recently gave a policy speech to the Education Finance Council. His remarks were given to Politico.He said in the

by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterIn times like these, we could all use a little self-care. Things like getting a massage, maintaining good sleeping habits, eating a vegetable or two, curling up with a good book  and sticking with a somewhat regular workout could do us all some good.Ah, but what about financial self-care? We’re always being reminded to take care of our mental, emotional and physical health. But what about your

by Kristin Jenny Getting a dog is an exciting addition to your life. Who wouldn’t want an energetic, adorable puppy zipping around the house? But adopting a dog comes with more responsibility than most realize. Outside of the obvious responsibilities like feeding, walking, and taking a canine to the vet, basic obedience training sessions are a must for any dog-owner. Having a well-behaved dog isn’t just a nice trait —

by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterThere’s still a worker shortage in the United States. There are millions of unfilled job openings, with businesses across the country struggling to recruit the workers they need.Is your business looking to hire new employees — qualified candidates who are a good fit for the job?In that case, you’ve no doubt considered using a popular online recruitment platform like ZipRecruiter or LinkedIn. But what’s the difference between

Best for Helping Out a FriendChime Referral Bonus$100Best for Socially Conscious ClientsAspiration Plus$200Best for Basic CheckingChase Total Checking$225Best for Financial BeginnersTD Convenience Checking$150by Timothy MooreContributorSo, you’re looking for a new bank account.You’ve got several factors to consider — ATM access, interest rates, monthly account fees, minimum balances, online bill payments and more.Another factor: sign-up bonuses. Banks and credit unions frequently run promotions to entice prospective customers to open a new

by Kathleen GarvinContributor When you think of interest-generating bank accounts, your mind likely goes to savings. After all, that’s your reward for building an emergency fund or socking away money for a future expense, right? A regular, end-of-month deposit into your savings account, courtesy of your bank. The good news: You can also earn interest with select checking accounts. What is a High-Interest Checking Account? A high-interest, or high-yield, checking

by Tiffani ShermanContributorLet’s be honest: It can be awkward for adult children to talk about money with their parents. Especially if you haven’t done it much before.But avoiding the money talk, especially as our parents age and their needs change, can lead to a host of financial problems down the road.These talks are tough — but they’re also really important. Getting the conversation going early on — before a crisis