adult woman putting notebooks into child's backpack.

Back-to-School Budget: How To Plan for School Costs All Year

Families should budget for both the initial back-to-school shopping trip and for expenses that arise throughout the year, including extracurricular activities, school fees, and other

Budgeting

What Is a Typical Annual Interest Rate for Purchases on a Credit Card in August 2025?

Key Takeaways In August 2025, the average U.S. credit card APR on new purchases was 23.99%, with most between 20% and 24%. The Federal Reserve reported an…
Budgeting
BNPL

“Buy Now Pay Later” Is Keeping You Broke

Key Takeaways Buy now, pay later is increasingly used for everyday purchases, not just large or discretionary items. BNPL options increase spending and reduce friction at checkout,…
Budgeting

How To Pay off a Loan Early

Paying off a loan early comes down to making extra payments toward the principal, reducing interest costs, and shortening your repayment term. If you’re dealing with…
Budgeting
can you have a 700 credit score with collections

Can You Have a 700 Credit Score with Collections?

Key Takeaways You can have a 700 credit score with collections, but it’s rare—collections usually lower scores significantly, especially if they are recent or unpaid. In general,…
Budgeting
do you get money when you refinance a loan

Do you get money when you refinance a loan

Key Takeaways Do you have to pay back money when you refinance a loan: Sometimes you do. Certain types of refinancing, like a cash-out refinance or…
Budgeting
What happens if you don't pay a loan company back

What Happens If You Don’t Pay an Installment Loan Back?

If you don’t pay an installment loan or personal loan, you can face late fees, damage to your credit score, collection calls, and potentially even…
Budgeting

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