Tips to deal with financial emergencies

What if a financial emergency, crisis, or sudden need requires more cash than you have available in your savings account? It could be a large medical expense not covered by your health insurance plan, a large down payment on a house, or an extended period of unemployment. You may be tempted to simply turn to your credit… Continue reading Tips to deal with financial emergencies

How credit ratings agencies “score” you

A credit report is a document that grades you on your ability to pay your bill. The credit ratings agencies that provide the reports — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax — gather information from the credit card companies, mortgage lenders, department stores, utilities, and other firms that have provided credit to you in the past. The information… Continue reading How credit ratings agencies “score” you

PayPal vs Dwolla

If you use eBay or have paid someone over the Internet, you’re probably familiar with PayPal. The basic PayPal service lets people pay another PayPal account holder almost instantly. It’s an alternative to paying someone by check, or via cash. The setup for PayPal and alternative services such as Dwolla is straightforward: Enter your bank… Continue reading PayPal vs Dwolla