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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.
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.
Hate the Idea of Student Loans? Here are 8 Ways to Borrow Less for College

Holly Johnson July 26, 2017 • 6 Minute Read
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While higher education is typically a good investment, the surging costs of a college degree have been blurring the line for years. Sure, college graduates tend to earn more, but they’re also facing growing debt loads, too. According to Student Loan Hero, the average 2016 college graduate left school with more than $37,000 in student loan debt.
How to Save Money on Textbooks

Kat Tretina July 25, 2017 • 3 Minute Read
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While college tuition is expensive enough, coming up with the cash to pay for textbooks can be difficult. The cost of books has skyrocketed in recent years. Since 1978, the price of textbooks has risen 812 percent. The average undergraduate student will spend approximately $1,300 a year on books. That high cost can add thousands to your college education, or can prohibit you from buying necessary books.
4 Tips for Budgeting Your Summer Move

CreditSoup Staff July 24, 2017 • 4 Minute Read
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With kids out of school, longer daylight hours, and warm weather, summer is the perfect season for a big move. Each year, 11 percent of Americans move to a new home. About 3 million of those move across state lines, with professional movers handling about 800,000 moves annually. The summer months traditionally see the biggest surge of moving activity, with a recent report indicating about 38 percent of all moves in 2016 happened between June and August.
5 Best Cities For New College Graduates

Kat Tretina July 19, 2017 • 3 Minute Read
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Graduating from college is an exciting time. You’re finally done with classes, term papers and exams. From starting a new job to moving out on your own, your life changes drastically after school. However, those changes can be expensive. With expenses like rent and student loan payments, making ends meet can be more challenging than you expected. In the United States, the average rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,021.
How to Score the Cheapest Flights

Kat Tretina July 14, 2017 • 3 Minute Read
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When planning a vacation, your flight can be the most expensive part. It can be more than your hotel, car rental and food combined. A pricey flight can cut down on the number of things you can do on your trip, or even reduce how long your vacation can be.
9 European Cities You Can Actually Afford to Visit This Year

Holly Johnson July 13, 2017 • 5 Minute Read
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A European getaway is on nearly everyone’s bucket list, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s budget is equipped to handle the expense. Flights alone can be cost-prohibitive. Truth be told, most round-trip flights to Europe from the U.S. start at $1,000 and only go up from there.
5 Surprisingly Affordable Tropical Destinations

Kat Tretina July 10, 2017 • 3 Minute Read
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Traveling the world is the goal of many people. Visiting foreign countries, seeing landmarks, and sampling new cuisines can be an incredible experience. But the price can be prohibitive for many. If you dreamed of traveling the world but have been delaying take the plunge, you might be afraid of the cost. Planning a vacation when you’re on a budget can be difficult. However, there are some beautiful, tropical destinations that are shockingly affordable.