August 2017 Articles - CreditSoup.com Blog

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Articles in August 2017

How to Break the Paycheck to Paycheck Cycle

Kat Tretina August 31, 2017 • 4 Minute Read
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A staggering 49 percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, meaning they have no savings. They’re completely reliant on the next payday to manage their expenses; if a paycheck is late, or an unexpected emergency comes up, they have no way to handle it.
What to do with your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Jason Steele August 30, 2017 • 4 Minute Read
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For several years, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card was one of the best travel reward credit cards. It offers double Ultimate Rewards points on all travel and dining purchases, and your rewards could be transferred to miles with seven airlines or points with four hotel programs. You can also redeem points for 1.25 cents each towards travel reservations made through Chase.
5 Lessons You Can Learn From a Bad Entry-Level Job

Kat Tretina August 28, 2017 • 4 Minute Read
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When I graduated from school, I worked for a small, privately-owned business. And it was awful. I was supposed to be a writer, but they insisted I also act as the janitor, cleaning the bathroom and storage areas. The owner literally screamed a lot and relished employees’ tears. It was a terrible experience, and I was miserable. However, I did learn a lot from that short period of employment. Those lessons helped me later in my career.
Can Credit Cards Help You Become More Charitable?

Holly Johnson August 25, 2017 • 5 Minute Read
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When it comes to credit cards, there are too many options to count. From cash-back rewards cards that let you earn rewards to balance transfer cards that help you save money on interest, there’s a card type to suit everyone regardless of their credit needs. And yes, that includes credit cards that can help you become more charitable. Believe it or not, some card issuers and programs make it easy to donate cash-back or miles instead of keeping your rewards for yourself.
How to Create a Sustainable Budget

Kirsten Thuringer August 22, 2017 • 4 Minute Read
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Whether you’re talking about the environment, energy, or food, sustainability has become a hot topic. But for all this talk about creating a sustainable society, people rarely apply the concept to household budgeting. We have somehow forgotten its place in fiscal management.
A No-Fee Membership Rewards® Card You’ll Love: Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Holly Johnson August 18, 2017 • 6 Minute Read
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While American Express is well known for their selection of premier travel credit cards, past and present Amex customers seem to have a lot of gripes. For starters, the card issuer’s top tier travel credit cards – the Platinum Card from American Express and the Business Platinum Card from American Express – come with outrageous annual fees of $550 and $595, respectively. Worse, both cards offer an earning tier of just 1 point per $1 spent outside of special bonus categories.
A Deep Dive into the Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard®

CreditSoup Staff August 17, 2017 • 3 Minute Read
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There are a lot of options for travel credit cards in the market today. Offering a high sign-up bonus, generous earnings rate, flexible redemption, with no foreign transaction fees - the Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite MasterCard®, is a great travel credit card to consider adding to your wallet.
How to Build a Work Wardrobe (When You’re Broke)

Kat Tretina August 17, 2017 • 4 Minute Read
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When I accepted the offer for my first job, I only had about $100 to create an entire work wardrobe. And when I walked into stores, I quickly found that my $100 wouldn’t buy a single dress. I was frustrated and panicking because my start date was just a few days away. Thankfully, I did some research and talked to friends, and got some smart ideas to find cheap work clothes. I was able to start work with many office-worthy outfits that looked great, without overextending my budget.
“Surprise” Credit Card Fees You Should Never, Ever Pay

Holly Johnson August 16, 2017 • 5 Minute Read
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Credit cards offer a slew of benefits that make them valuable for just about anyone. With a credit card in-hand, you can score valuable consumer protections like purchase protection, zero fraud liability, and guaranteed returns. And, let’s not forget about the many rewards programs that help you rack up cash back, gift cards, or free travel.
Plan Now to Earn Travel Rewards For the Holidays

Jason Steele August 14, 2017 • 3 Minute Read
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It’s inevitable. Every fall Americans begin to panic as they realize that they will have to pay a premium to travel over the winter holidays. And it’s even worse for many who want to travel with the points and miles that they’ve earned from their credit cards.But it doesn’t have to be this way. This summer is the perfect time to start earning rewards for your winter travel.
5 Clever Reasons to Refinance Your Mortgage (and 3 Reasons Not to)

Holly Johnson August 11, 2017 • 6 Minute Read
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With interest rates near record lows so long that rising rates seem imminent, it’s smart to at least consider refinancing your home mortgage. A lower interest rate could give you plenty of advantages, after all. While loan outcomes vary, lower interest rates can easily lead to lower monthly mortgage payments and interest savings. Under the right circumstances, you could even shorten the repayment timeline for your loan and pay off your home faster.
How to Get the Best Deal on a New Car

Kat Tretina August 9, 2017 • 4 Minute Read
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If you’re a first-time car buyer, the process can be overwhelming and a little terrifying. The idea of going up against a tough car salesperson can feel like a losing proposition. However, there’s a way that even the shyest people can negotiate and get a great deal. Even better, you’ll be in an out of the dealership in under an hour.
Myth Busted: No, Opening New Credit Cards Won’t Bomb Your Credit Score

Holly Johnson August 8, 2017 • 5 Minute Read
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Credit card signup bonuses are often considered the holy grail of affordable travel. Sign up for a new rewards credit card or travel credit card, hit a minimum spending requirement, and earn a bonus big enough to pay for several hotel nights or a free round-trip flight. If you’re into cash-back instead, you can also parlay your rewards into several hundred dollars in statement credits instead.
5 Best Places for a Summer Road Trip

Kat Tretina August 7, 2017 • 3 Minute Read
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It’s already August, so there are just a few weeks left to summer. No more lazy days by the pool or trips to the beach. But before you start feeling down, there is still time to have one last adventure before returning to the regular grind. If you’re on a budget, you don’t need to spend a ton of money on hotels or airline tickets. With gas prices the lowest they’ve been in years, you can have an epic journey with family or friends with a summer road trip.
6 Reasons Cheap Rural Living May Be a Better Deal Than You Realize

Holly Johnson August 4, 2017 • 5 Minute Read
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Is big-city living all it’s cracked up to be? Or, would you be better off in a quieter, slower-paced rural environment? While this question has been debated for years, there is no “right” or “wrong” answer that suits everyone. The truth is, some people prefer the close-knit quarters of an urban existence while others crave more space.