About Melissa

There was a time when travel, specifically hitting the skies, was reserved for the well-to-do. As increased demand from consumers led to greater supply, the need for amassed riches to get out of dodge toned down drastically. However, traveling by land, sky, or sea comes with other challenges above and beyond the cost considerations alone.

Although buying a home is a concrete part of the American dream for most adults, owning land as part of an investment strategy or wealth-building plan is becoming more popular. Having a small, untouched piece of property holds quite a bit of potential for building a home in the future, farming, or starting another business.

There are several reasons a prospective homebuyer may consider purchasing a mobile home as opposed to a traditional, single-family home. Mobile homes are portable, making them a breeze to relocate to a different city or state, and they are considerably less expensive even when adding in the cost of the land on which they sit.

In the housing world, there are a handful of options for prospective home buyers that differ from the conventional stand-alone, single-family residence. Mobile homes and manufactured homes (formerly mobile homes) are two distinct alternatives that appeal to many buyers given how they are structured, their price, and the potential for moving easily.

Using actual dollars and cents is far less common today than it was a decade ago. Not many people carry around metal coins and paper bills to cover their spending needs on a daily basis. That’s because a plastic – or metal – card is far easier to use on the fly.

When it comes to applying for a new credit card or loan to fund business operations, lenders have a difficult time looking beyond financial blunders of the past. Your personal credit score is closely tied to your small business, which can make it tough to secure the funding you need quickly and affordably. Especially with […]

Most businesses face the need for financing in one form or another to help fund business operations, ensure cash flow is positive, or take on a new project such as expansion. However, obtaining financing for a small business can be tough.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of freedom that comes from hitting the open road on a motorcycle. However, the cost of a new or used motorcycle can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Most people don’t have that kind of extra cash sitting around in a savings or checking account and […]

Anyone in the market for a credit card quickly learns that several options exist in today’s credit card universe. From basic cards with no frills, features, or fees, to rewards cards that boast unlimited cash back or miles on purchases in nearly every category, there is a credit card option for everyone.

For many Americans, the thought of coming up with money to pay for a vacation can be a bit distressing. It’s expensive enough for individuals, never mind taking a large family. However, there are ways to ease the financial burden and reduce the risk of going into debt for it. You’re taking the vacation to […]

If you’ve struggled with poor management of your finances in the past and now have less than stellar credit, you aren’t alone. Millions of consumers find themselves in the uncomfortable circumstance of having bad credit, but it isn’t a life sentence. Understanding the tools available to you to help you rebuild your credit is a […]

Personal loans can be used for a variety of financial needs, from debt consolidation to paying off taxes and financing major purchases. Whether you are planning to spend big on travel, pay off tax debt, or make a large purchase, securing a fixed-rate loan with a predictable monthly payment can be more cost-effective than a […]

Financial literacy has been a topic of increasing interest over the last several years. Data on the financial readiness of adults in terms of emergency savings, retirement progress, and other money milestones have shown less than ideal insights about the state of financial health.

Several schools of thought drive personal financial management strategies, spanning debt repayment and budgeting to investing and saving for retirement. However, when it comes to the basics of cash flow – that is, monitoring what’s coming in versus what’s going out – the envelope system has long been a tool for success for many individuals […]

In the world of managing personal finances, several digital tools exist to help consumers at each step of the way. From building savings and managing debt to investing with spare change, money apps can lend an impressive, necessary helping hand for common financial issues in .

It’s common for parents and grandparents to want to step in and help their children or children’s children on the financial front. Sometimes this means contributing toward a college savings account, opening an investment fund, or simply establishing a bank account in the child or grandchild’s name.

Regardless of whether interest rates are increasing or decreasing, savers should not expect traditional banks and credit unions to offer high-yield annual percentage yields (APY) on conventional savings accounts. Fortunately, for those who want to earn a little more without taking on the risk of an investment, online savings provide more bang for your saved […]

There are many reasons why credit histories and scores are less than perfect over one’s lifetime. Missing a payment here and there, maxing out credit cards, or having an account find its way to collections status all put a severe ding in your credit report.

In past years, it seemed as though news of a major company’s data breach was announced every other day. Personal identifying information, including payment details, online preferences, usernames and passwords, and even passport details were all compromised throughout the last twelve months. As unfortunate as these breakdowns in security are for businesses, they can wreak […]

Identity (ID) theft is a growing concern for millions of consumers given the way we conduct some if not all of our financial transactions – online, on the phone, or by mail. In a study and recent review conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research, it was found that tens of millions of U.S. consumers experience […]

For many individuals and families, the Christmas holiday season is bustling with excitement and joy. However, not everyone anticipates the holiday with a heavy dose of enthusiasm. Christmas can represent a time of too much planning, too much shopping, short-lived decorating, and obligatory entertaining, which add up to a hefty expense.

Finding the perfect deal for your ideal ride takes equal parts patience and research skills, not to mention the ability to secure the financing that best fits your budget. Once a new or used car is found, however, there is a chance that your due diligence before the purchase was all in vain.

Owning a business, whether it is in the startup phase or it has been in operation for years, requires business owners to wear a variety of hats, not the least of which is that of an accountant or bookkeeper. Understanding the financial footing of a company large or small is crucial to the ongoing success […]

Having strong business credit is an integral factor in operating a sustainable company. Lenders need to feel comfortable that a business has a track record of on-time payments as well as responsible use of credit accounts before they will offer new financing at a reasonable cost. In addition to following the steps to build and […]

For most consumers, buying a piece of property to call their own is an expensive endeavor. Prospective homeowners must have some financial footing in the game, and this typically comes in the form of a down payment toward the purchase price of a home.

A recall on a car, truck, van, SUV, van, or motorcycle takes place when the automaker determines that a specific type of car or a series of models has a defect directly related to the safety of passengers or drivers.

For most car owners, getting a new or used vehicle is only viable when some type of financing is involved. Fortunately, loans for cars are made available from a variety of sources, including your local bank or credit union, an online lender, or the dealership itself.

Car dealerships often get a bad rap among individuals in the market for a new or used vehicle. There’s often a need to haggle with the salesperson regarding the final price, and an intimidating stack of paperwork that makes it hard to know if you’re getting the best deal.

Since the vehicle market has had significant ups and downs over the years, auto dealers have taken a substantial hit in the realm of new car sales. In an effort to incentivize buyers in otherwise stagnant markets, the finance arms in partnership with key dealerships created the 0% auto financing deal.

Leveraging one’s borrowing power to purchase a home is often the best financial choice for most individuals. Using a mortgage to buy real estate eliminates the need to save up a significant amount of cash for the transaction. However, buying a home still requires some cash on hand, as well as a healthy credit score […]

Utilizing a mortgage loan to purchase a home is a necessary financial tool for many. Throughout the United States, FHA home loans are one of the most popular mortgages used for primary residence purchases. The popularity of FHA home loans stems from several unique advantages that make them more appealing than conventional mortgage loans.

Purchasing a home is a financial goal for many individuals and families throughout the United States. For some, homeownership represents reaching a certain level of financial status, while others view buying a house as a means to build wealth over time. Regardless of the reason driving a home purchase, the process is no small feat.

Managing money presents challenges for many individuals, primarily when little to no education is provided on financial literacy throughout childhood or as an adult. Personal financial management may be even more difficult to champion for those struggling with mental health concerns.

One of the most important lessons parents can pass along to their children is the power of money and how it works in the real world. Proper financial management skills are a must as an adult, but it is common for parents to shy away from talking about finances openly and honestly with their kids.

Over the last few years, interest rates have been fluctuating up and down a lot. Most consumers consider a rise in interest rates by the Fed harmful to their financial lives since it means the cost of borrowing increases. Interest rates on auto loans, mortgage loans, personal loans, and credit cards all go up when […]

Buying a home is a significant financial decision, one that shouldn’t be taken lightly or based solely on a quick Internet search. You can buy a home without the help of a realtor, but there are benefits to finding and using a well-respected one.

When you’re looking to sell a home, one of the best ways to save money at closing is to do all the legwork yourself. Selling your own home can cut out the expensive middlemen, including real estate agents and brokers. This strategy also ensures you have full control over the advertising, negotiations, and purchase and […]

To fully embrace Black History Month, it may be beneficial to take a step back to understand how racial disparities in the United States have wreaked havoc on black and brown families and their financial lives. According to research published in 2016, the gap between black and white families was tenfold.

Over the years, technology-focused fads come and go, sometimes creating a buzz that is more hype than anything else. But in some rare cases, a shiny, new application, tool, or software brings a wave of excitement that is difficult to ignore.

Since the housing market took a substantial hit in 2008 and 2009, home prices have slowly come back to pre-recession levels and beyond throughout the country. For homeowners who have been in the same property for several years, particularly during this time of economic growth, home equity may have accumulated to a hefty asset.

With the rapid influx of online businesses and the availability to do everyday tasks such as banking, shopping, and investing through Internet-based platforms, there has been a rise in the occurrence of identity theft and financial fraud among consumers.

In a world where security breaches of major companies are on the rise, it can be difficult to determine which identity theft measures are appropriate for specific circumstances. Checking your credit is one simple method to uncover identity theft, but it is reactive at best.

Identity theft affects millions of individuals each and every year, and experts suggest that the number of cyber-attacks will continue to rise in the upcoming years. As cyber criminals get savvier in their methods, consumers can and should take certain steps to safeguard their personal information found online and offline.

With all the buzz around massive data breaches and identity theft, many consumers have made the smart choice to take various degrees of security measures as it relates to their credit reports. One such tool is a credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, which gives notice to any creditor attempting to view one’s […]

Identity theft has been a growing concern for consumers over the past decade, as more activities become Internet-based. Shopping, banking and applying for credit can all be done online, making it a challenge to fully protect yourself from the malicious intent of identity thieves.

In an era where identity theft and fraudulent credit activity are prevalent, it is imperative that consumers have security tools to keep their financial lives protected. In recent years, the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – along with the federal government have implemented steps that consumers can take to help safeguard […]

Homeowners have an advantage compared to other consumers when it comes to borrowing money in an affordable way. Both home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) can be cost-efficient alternatives to credit cards, personal loans, and other forms of debt given interest rates on these products are comparatively low.

It’s fairly common for consumer debt to pile up to an alarming rate, especially when it involves high-interest rate credit cards. Over time, paying only the minimum payment creates a situation where it feels like the debt may never be paid off in full. That’s a reality when you don’t take advantage of debt consolidation […]

Recent news of a multi-billion-dollar deal between financial technology companies sparked renewed conversation about consumer payment options in both e-commerce and traditional retail settings. Square announced a purchase deal to acquire Afterpay, a buy now pay later technology firm, for $29 billion in September 2021, with Square noting the shared desire to offer more payment […]

When high-interest debt like credit cards and personal loans takes hold of your financial life, it can be difficult to manage multiple payments and accruing interest each month. Through debt consolidation, you have the opportunity to combine multiple debts into a single, fixed loan that carries predictable monthly payments and often a lower interest rate […]

Credit. It’s a tiny word that packs a powerful punch. Your credit, based on your score and history report, is not only an indicator of how much risk you pose to new creditors but also how responsible you may be as an employee, a volunteer, or a renter.

Your credit score is comprised of a number of factors, not the least of which is your history of on-time payments. If you made the unfortunate mistake of being late on a payment for a credit card, student loan, mortgage, or personal loan in the past, it may seem like all is lost.

Keeping up with student loan debt is a financial hurdle millions of borrowers face each year. With more than trillions owed collectively among millions of borrowers, it is no surprise that student loan default is a hot topic. Failing to pay student debt on time each month can have drastic effects on multiple facets of […]

Your credit score is one of the most important aspects of your financial life. When a credit score is high, potential creditors such as credit card companies, mortgage lenders, and even employers feel confident in your ability to be responsible when managing money.

For borrowers, it can be a difficult task to keep up with monthly debt obligations, especially when the number of credit accounts increases over time. Although it may be challenging to remember due dates or amounts due, it is important for individuals to keep a close eye on when accounts need to be paid.

Millions of people carry the burden of paying for a college education well beyond graduation. Student loans make it possible for many to earn a degree without fronting a significant amount of cash out of their own pockets. But whether loans are funded through federal programs or private lenders, it can seem like a never-ending […]

Attending a college or university and earning a degree is a large part of setting yourself up for success well into the future. Most employers require potential hires to have completed at least some level of higher education before a job offer is made. For better or worse, more weight is placed on earning a […]

Just like personal credit, businesses establish credit profiles, histories, and scores over time. A business credit score is as important as an individual’s credit information given that companies need to be able to show outside investors and potential lenders they have a track record of paying their bills on time and in full.

Credit is a necessary component of anyone’s financial life, for better or worse. Access to financing for major purchases like a car purchase or buying a home requires a solid foundation of good credit. But now, it’s standard practice for employers, insurance companies, and landlords to take a close look at an applicant’s credit history […]

There’s a certain allure to being your own boss. The promise of flexible hours, creating an income with no foreseeable caps, and having an impact on the community or industry are all reasonable draws to starting a business. However, most startups remain in the dream phase due to one common, difficult hurdle: financing.

It doesn’t take much to get into trouble with your financial history. One late or missed payment, an account in collections, or a season of overspending on a high-limit credit card can lead to disastrous results for your credit history and score.

Bad credit can affect nearly anyone over the course of a lifetime and for myriad reasons. Getting in over your head with credit card spending, being consistently late on debt payments, or facing bankruptcy or foreclosure all leave a negative mark on your credit file. Regardless of the cause of your less than perfect credit, […]

At some point in most individuals’ financial lives, the question of whether paying off debt or saving and investing rears its confusing, sometimes ugly head. The dilemma is complicated by the fact that debt often comes at a price while investing boasts a return on your money that will pay off well into the future. […]

Borrowing against the equity in your primary residence is a common way to achieve certain financial goals. Home equity often represents one of the most significant sources of borrowing power throughout a lifetime, especially if you live in a high-growth area or have lived in your home for an extended period of time. You can […]

Getting into debt is all too easy in today’s money-centric environment. Credit cards with high limits make it a breeze to spend above our means, and an unexpected bill out of the blue when no emergency savings exists can result in turning to debt to cover it.

Several moving parts come together to create a healthy, sustainable financial life. To be successful in this arena, though, you have to start with the basics and build from there. One foundational piece of the personal-finance puzzle is an emergency fund.

Whether due to ignorance of youth or poor financial management, bad credit takes a toll on your ability to move ahead in life. One of the areas where bad credit creates doom and gloom is finding affordable financing for major purchases, like a new or used car, truck or SUV. Lenders want to know that […]

Checking your credit report periodically is a smart way to stay on top of your bigger financial picture. Your credit report details personal information, such as your name, date of birth, previous and current addresses, and employers, but more importantly, it lists out all of your credit history.

A handful of factors come into play when credit bureaus calculate your individual credit score. The algorithms used to generate FICO and VantageScore scores differ slightly, but the basics are the same. Payment history makes up the bulk of your credit score calculation, meaning paying on-time for each one of your debts is crucial to […]

Although no two parents are exactly the same, most have the same overarching goal for their children: that they grow up healthy and happy, and hopefully, financially stable. One of the ways to accomplish this seemingly grand task on the financial front is to start saving early for a child and do so with some […]

Getting in over your head with debt can happen for a variety of reasons: unexpected medical bills, tax debts, and overdoing it with credit card purchases. Each one of these common debt issues may require some degree of outside assistance to help get you back on the right path toward financial health.

It is common knowledge that credit plays a critical role in many different aspects of personal finance. Without strong or established credit, you aren’t able to easily secure the financing you may need for significant purchases, like a home or a vehicle. Landlords, utility companies, and even employers also lean on your credit history to […]

With new year’s resolutions in full swing by this time, you may have some concerns over your ability to reach all your goals this year. Making change is hard, especially when it comes to managing your money in the best way possible.

Prospective and current homeowners have several options when it comes to financing a home purchase. From conventional home loans to special financing programs, mortgage solutions exist for nearly every kind of buyer. One of the more common mortgage programs is an FHA loan, designed to meet the needs of borrowers with a small down payment […]

Although travel credit cards have been on the market for several years, many fell under the category of brand-specific cards. For instance, having a credit card that is tied to a hotel brand or a particular airline was and still is relatively common. However, some consumers want more in a travel credit card.

Credit cards come in a variety of flavors – from cashback and travel rewards to secured cards that help build credit. There seems to be a credit card option for just about anyone who wants to use plastic, or metal, rather than traditional cash or a debit card. The number of credit card options can […]

Credit cards come in all sorts of flavors, designed to provide spending management as well as rewards for cardmembers. Although there are travel-specific credit cards, such as airline miles cards and hotel chain cards, many consumers prefer the flexibility and unlimited potential of more generic cash-back cards.

We all know that having access to credit is a necessary part of life. Being able to effectively and responsibly manage that credit, however, isn’t always an easy task. Circumstances make it hard to pay off balances in full each month, particularly on credit cards, and the need for a loan can arise nearly anytime.

Many factors go into creating a credit score over time, some of which have a bigger impact than others. Your credit utilization ratio is one component of the credit score calculation that is necessary to understand and work to keep in good shape.

Breaking down insurance terms can be tricky, especially if you’re starting the journey toward homeownership. Most new homeowners and potential buyers have heard of homeowners insurance (HI) and private mortgage insurance (PMI), but it is common to get the two types of insurance confused. While one offers protection against financial loss to the homeowner, the […]

Having a solid credit score and an established credit history is a necessary part of anyone’s life. These pieces of the financial puzzle allow you to gain access to affordable financing for a variety of needs, like purchasing a home, buying a car, or covering unexpected expenses with a credit card. But if you’re just […]

Current homeowners who purchased a property in the last several years may be on the lookout for declining interest rates. The opportunity to refinance a home loan into a lower interest rate with a similar or extended repayment term can result in hundreds of dollars in savings for some, at least in the short-term.

From tuition and books to room and board, the cost of college has skyrocketed over the last several decades. This has left many students pursuing a college education in need of some form of financial aid to help cover expenses. Fortunately, student loans are available to help when needed. Both conventional, or federal, student loans, […]

Student loans make up trillions of consumer debt across the United States alone, financially challenging more than 40 million borrowers. With the average student loan debt coming in at more than $35,000 per individual, it is no surprise that many feel trapped and overwhelmed by their college debt load.

In the world of personal finance, there are countless tools that can be used to help manage your money from day to day. In recent years, consumers have shifted their focus to plastic, or in some cases, metal cards as opposed to cold, hard cash. Using some form of payment card often makes transactions easier […]

It’s common knowledge that a strong credit history and score makes life a bit easier, at least on the financial side of the line. New creditors are far more likely to give you access to the credit you need, when you need it, when you have a solid track record of making on-time payments, using […]

Not every adult in America has the same dream of homeownership. Some people feel uncomfortable with the idea of being physically and financially responsible for every aspect of a home. Even when the ultimate goal is purchasing property to call your own, renting may make the most financial sense.

The average amount of debt carried over from month to month by the American consumer has increased significantly over time. Households carry an average of more than $16,000 in credit card debt, which can come with a hefty monthly payment. The total debt held by Americans extends into the hundreds of billions, made up of […]

Each year, more than 500,000 consumers file for bankruptcy to help alleviate a mounting burden of debt they can no longer afford to pay. And while filing bankruptcy has the benefit of wiping out or seriously reducing what’s owed to creditors, it creates a less than rosy credit picture that can be difficult to overcome. […]

Just like in the business to consumer world, business to business transactions have the potential to go unpaid. A business customer may have a slow period where revenue simply isn’t enough to cover bills coming in, and that often includes an invoice for a product or services rendered.

Running a business is no small feat, and when that business is successful enough to grow into a large corporation, significant amounts of capital are needed to keep it moving in the right direction. Corporations typically have several employees, production facilities, inventory warehouses, brick-and-mortar retail locations and a substantial online presence, all which require funding […]

Financial institutions exist so that consumers and businesses have a method to manage their finances with various deposit accounts, like checking, savings, and certificates of deposit; and lending, like mortgage, auto, and consumer loans. Banks and credit unions are the most commonly used financial institutions for these different products and services.

Being responsible with money doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Mistakes are made, especially early on in life, like missed or late payments, overextending yourself when it comes to everyday or major purchases on credit, and ignoring missteps to the point they harm your credit.

Several business opportunities exist for those wanting to venture out on their own, away from the traditional nine-to-five office life. However, in many cases, hanging your own shingle requires an outlay of cash that isn’t always easy to come by.

Many homeowners struggle with coming up with the traditional 20% down payment when it comes to purchasing a home. Unless you are able to save aggressively or there is significant enough equity in a home you are selling to help cover the expense, a lower down payment is common among American homeowners.

Creating a path toward career success looks different for everyone, especially those who opt to follow a professional services track. Specifically, for those in finance-related jobs, getting the right position with the best-fit company can be both challenging and ultimately rewarding, but the latter is not always immediate.

Since 1972, Money Magazine has been a staple among consumers around the world who desire to gain more knowledge about their financial options. With titles like The Best Funds to Invest in This Year, and Three Secrets to Save Money in the Kitchen, Money Magazine offered a little bit of something for everyone concerned with […]

Bad credit can happen to the best of us, for any number of reasons. Missing a payment here or there, facing financial hardship that forces bankruptcy or foreclosure, or an account that makes its way into collections can all be detrimental to your credit score. The unfortunate reality is that when credit is an issue, […]

Having a good credit score is an essential part of life. The three-digit number shows new creditors who you are from a financial perspective, and how you manage your credit both now and in the past. Credit scores range from 300 to 850, and in most cases, a score that falls above the 700 mark […]

Synchrony Bank is an online financial institution offering deposit accounts direct to consumers. However, its parent company, Synchrony Financial, provides many solutions to businesses in the form of financing for their customers. Instead of offering traditional business loans and credit cards, Synchrony allows certain retailers and small businesses to develop partnerships in order to provide […]