Author: Shannon McNay Insler
4 easy steps to properly managing credit cards
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Out of all the financial products out there, credit cards can inspire some of the strongest opinions. Some people see them as a useful tool for …
How to get out of your car lease early
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
One of the benefits of leasing a car is that it can be a shorter-term commitment than buying — but what if it still ends up …
16 investing & retirement rules you need to know
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
A “rule of thumb” is a mental shortcut. It’s a heuristic. It’s not always true, but it’s usually true. It saves you time and brainpower. Rather than re-inventing the wheel …
How to consolidate debt & improve your credit at the same time
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Did you know you can accomplish the tasks of making it easier to pay off debt and improving your credit at the same time? It might …
How a personal loan affects your credit
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Personal loans are having a moment. According to data from credit reporting company Experian, they’re growing faster than any other type of debt, with the second …
How to read the results of your credit report dispute
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
So, you’ve disputed an item on one of your credit reports, and now you’ve gotten your response. Now what? These tips about how to read the …
How credit repair affects your credit
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
How does credit repair affect your credit? One would think the answer should be fairly obvious — the entire point of credit repair is to improve …
Here’s how credit cards affect your credit
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Credit cards are a financial fact of life for many people, but have you ever stopped to think about how they might affect your credit? Although …
The importance of your debt-to-income ratio
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
It’s funny how our financial realities can seem to take on a whole new meaning when lenders get involved. For example, when you think about your …
How to remove closed accounts from your credit report
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Since credit reports can be used to determine credit scores, it’s not surprising that people want the best credit reports they can get. After all, credit …
How an auto loan affects your credit
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
We build credit to be able to use credit, but there are times when we’re afraid using it will damage the credit we’re trying so hard …
What is a frivolous dispute on a credit report?
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
So, you filed a dispute on your credit report, and you didn’t agree with the results. Therefore, you filed a dispute again … only this time …
This is how a mortgage affects your credit
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Sometimes the pursuit of perfect credit leads us to worry about utilizing the very products good credit gives us access to. A healthier way to look …
The pros & cons of buying a car from a dealership
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
So, you’re ready to buy a new car. There are more options than ever these days, but they all pretty much come down to two main …
The pros & cons of buying a car online
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Have you ever thought of buying a car online before? I certainly haven’t. As much as I love technology and the idea of having just about …
How to remove derogatory items from your credit report
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Whether you’re surprised to see them or knew they were there, it’s never fun to see derogatory items on your credit reports. From collections accounts to …
What you need to know about online Installment loans
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Installment loans can be useful financial tools. But is it safe to get an installment loan online? Here’s what you need to know about online installment …
How to get a credit card if you have bad credit
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Do you need a new credit card, but are afraid your credit history might get in the way? There are credit cards designed to help people …
Should you work with no-credit-check car dealers?
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Cars can be a stressful purchase. Reliable cars don’t come cheap, they’re necessary for daily life in much of the United States, and you don’t always …
Make sense of your money with these financial calculators
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Oftentimes financial planning can feel like a lonely, confusing endeavor. However, there are calculators that can help you see how to make the most of your …
Some of the best personal loan options in Los Angeles
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
If you’ve been thinking of taking out a personal loan, you’re not alone. Data from TransUnion shows that outstanding balances on personal loans went up 18 percent …
The pros & cons of short-term loans
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
It’s easier than ever to borrow money by finding short-term loans online, but should you? Although convenient, these products aren’t always a good idea for everyone. …
4 easy steps to properly managing credit cards
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Out of all the financial products out there, credit cards can inspire some of the strongest opinions. Some people see them as a useful tool for …
How to work with car dealers that accept bad credit
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
It’s always preferable to enter a negotiation with the strongest possible hand, but having bad credit can sometimes make that difficult to do. Does that mean …
How long does a credit report dispute take?
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Credit reporting errors are not uncommon — but what about credit report disputes? Many consumers might not even realize that there could be errors in their …
Debt relief: Here’s what you need to know
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
When it comes to getting help with debt, much of the “help” can provide more confusion than clarity and more cost than comfort. Case in point: The …
How long does it take to close on a house?
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
The home-buying process isn’t for the faint of heart, and the closing process is the final step of a potentially long road. The question is, how long does …
4 credit solutions you need to know about
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
It may seem as though you’re on your own when it comes to figuring out how to build and maintain good credit, but it doesn’t have to …
Here’s how a virtual credit card can protect your credit
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Typing your credit card number when making an online purchase can be a nerve-wracking experience. What if a hacker is “watching” and is able to obtain …
Here’s how to take over an auto lease
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
If you’re in the market for a new car, a lease can make it easy to try something new without the commitment of a purchase. But …
