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- United Airlines MileagePlus
- 4. Fiverr
- Term life insurance rates for smokers
- Borrow from your 401(k)
- Pack only one bag to carry on
- Transferring Avios
- Switch to an income-driven repayment plan
- 3. Dividend reinvestment programs (DRIPs)
- Revocable life insurance trusts
- 3. Land a brand deal and make sponsored content
- Costs
- FHA cash-out refinance
- 8. Pet store, grooming and boarding
- SkyTeam
- 4. Keep the deadline in mind
- Ages 45 to 54
- Index funds
- 10. Deduction for state and local taxes
- Shorter term: If you refinance to 20 years
- Apply for aid
- Your credit utilization
- Net worth of U.S. families by income
- 5. Education savings and loan debt
- 5. You cannot have bought the house through a like-kind exchange
- What is the Chase direct deposit requirement for checking accounts?
- State Farm
- Take a wallet inventory
- 7. Purchase Assistance Program (Panama City)
- Military and federal employees discount
- Andover Companies: Best coverage
- 12. Edible Arrangements
- Business lines of credit
- 9. Municipal bond earnings
- 4. Choose a bank that doesn’t charge foreign ATM fees
- Extended warranty
- The winner: It’s a toss-up
- 4. Take surveys for money
- 5. Plan for retirement
- Ages 25-34
- 4. Barclays rewards
- Mortgage rates
- 2. Evaluate the stock
- How do I apply for an RV loan?
- Hedging against future downturns
- You don't want to risk sold-out cars
- 1% match
- Ruby Lane
- 6. Find local gigs through Nextdoor
- CardX
- Banks
- You drive a company car
- Grants.gov
- 3. Car Shair
- High PE ratio
- Manual storage
- Free unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos
- Step 4: Plan the business budget
- It can have more earning power
- Conventional loans
- How much does a HELOC cost?
- What’s staying the same
- 5. Monitor your total credit utilization
- 4. Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) Rating
- International flights
- 6. Claiming a home office deduction
- Pros of buying bonds
- Elite status
- Open for Business Grant Program in Houston
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Best low-cost business expense tracker
- Retail space
- Cheap auto insurance after an accident
- Post-class group
- Step 6: Get funding
- Your money management style
- Become a social media influencer
- Bank of America
- 4. Research maintenance quotes
- Cruising further from the U.S.
- But wait, there’s more
- 4. Special dividends
- 2. Promote your business
- USDA streamlined assist refinance
- More American sweet spots
- Income modeling
- 3. Source your suppliers
- 11. Mortgage interest deduction
- Setup
- Net worth of U.S. families by age
- 1. You avoid having the IRS do it for you.
- 6. You cannot be subject to expatriate tax
- Where to get preapproved for a car loan
- Download your credit card issuer’s app
- 8. Down Payment Assistance Program (Tallahassee)
- Review your finances and set goals
- 5. Select your investments
- Borrowers may need strong credit and income
- Massachusetts grants
- 9. Classify your workers properly.
- 13. Firehouse Subs
- 2. Review your Loan Estimates
- 10. Gifts
- Best insurance company for affordability: NJM
- How renting from RVshare works
- 4. Capital One Travel
- Search fees
- Join the Qatar Airways Student Club
- 3. IMG (iTravelInsured Lite plan: $77)
- 5. Gather your paperwork
- Cash or cash-like redemptions
- 6. Enrichment activities for children
- 9. Salon or barbershop
- How to get Clear membership at no cost for you and a family member
- Why does the network matter?
- Alaska
- The cons
- Ages 55 to 64
- 7. Freelance
- You need an SR-22 or FR-44 form
- Program for Investors in Microentrepreneurs
- 1. Have a goal for your index funds
- Longer term: If you refinance to 30 years
- Amazon Elements
- Your payment history
- Cash-out refinance
- Spend on airline credit cards with built-in baggage perks
- Green, Gold and Platinum pay over time cards
- Expand your product lines and service
- Personal loans for engagement rings
- Travelers
- 6. Clean or replace porch lights
- You may still have to clean up after yourself
- 4. Products and services
- Credit Account
- Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in California for 20-year-olds
- Inverse performance
- Rocket Money
- Emirates Skywards
- Short-term loan
- Our pick for: Everyday spending
- Special equipment
- Whole life insurance rates for nonsmokers
- Bonus features
- Chase trifecta
- What's next?
- Tap your home equity
- Leverage elite status
- Commit 20% of your income to savings and debt paydown
- Certain repositioning cruises
- Commodity ETF pros
- 3. Decide how much stock you want to buy
- 3. Invest in sectors that perform well in recessions
- 5. Preferred dividends
- Irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs)
- Debt management plan
- VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan
- 4. Find a (safe) day care facility
- Financial reviews
- Etsy
- 12. Gambling loss deduction
- Be consistent
- Make Money
- Consider a condo
- Net worth of U.S. families by race or ethnicity
- United MileagePlus
- 2. You can pay your tax bill in installments.
- 6. Saver's tax credit
- Easy online invitation process
- 9. Down Payment Assistance Program (Leon County)
- 10. Purchase workers' compensation insurance.
- 7. Using nice, neat, round numbers
- Book one to three months in advance
- Cons of buying bonds
- Perks that are the same
- 14. IHop
- Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Community Grant
- 11. Inheritance
- Return protection
- If you want to get out of debt entirely
- Capital One
- You can use credit card benefits to travel in basic economy
- 6. Optimize your finances with tax planning
- Chase
- 5. Time your services
- In network
- Birthing parent expenses
- Bronze (requires 300 tier points):
- 4. Sell some merch
- Discounts on Delta award flights
- Consistency is key
- Do you have preferred doctors?
- You might be able to reserve a car now — and rebook the same one later at a discount
- 5. Rent out a room
- SBA lenders
- America’s Seed Fund
- 2. American Airlines
- Amazon Family
- It's also the less expensive option (if you don't travel internationally)
- Your credit age
- 2. Open an investing account
- 4. Choose your bookkeeping software
- USAA
- Increase your debt load
- 1. Examine your cooling needs
- Credit-builder loans
- Step 3: Register your interior design business and get an EIN
- British Airways Executive Club
- 3. Understand your market
- 5. Use a bank that reimburses ATM fees
- Retail supplies
- 2023 tax rates by state
- Whole life insurance rates for smokers
- Account linking
- Ages 35-44
- 5. American Express Membership Rewards
- Loan limits
- Commodity ETF cons
- Low-down-payment mortgages
- 6. Dividend funds
- Bankruptcy
- VA cash-out refinance
- 10. Gas station
- Florida
- Ages 65 to 74
- 8. Tutor your peers
- Exchange-traded funds
- You want to maintain continuous coverage
- 3. Apply for institutional scholarships and grants
- 13. IRA contributions deduction
- 2. Research index funds
- Compare award letters
- Net worth of U.S. families by education
- 3. The government might owe you money.
- What you need to get preapproved for a car loan
- You're going to get "graded" as a guest
- Pros of limited partnership
- 5. Financial information and projections
- 11. Make sure you’re in compliance with securities laws.
- Alternative energy discount
- 15. Melting Pot
- Gusto Impact Award
- Personal loans
- 12. Accelerated death benefits
- 5. Upwork
- 5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links
- Alternatives for those with thin or no credit history
- Out of network
- Legal fees
- Silver (requires 600 tier points):
- Example CD APYs at select institutions
- 7. Mobile apps and entertainment for children
- If the car is sold, ask if you still owe money
- 5. Get insured
- Is a large network important?
- 4. Price your product
- Credit cards for earning American AAdvantage miles
- WomensNet Grants
- Eureka
- Home equity sharing agreement
- 7. Hardship withdrawals
- Direct debited repayments
- 2. Determine how to finance your franchise
- Increase your marketing efforts
- Government-backed loans
- 2. Managing money
- 5. Money market funds
- No continual borrowing
- The following Southwest credit cards include upgraded boardings:
- 2. Time it right
- Benefits unique to the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Iberia Plus
- Best business expense tracker for travel-related expenses
- Packing and shipping supplies
- Patriot America Plus
- Lack of information around Free File
- Hyatt
- 4. Focus on the long-term
- Make 10 years' worth of payments
- 6. Pick your investments
- Debt settlement
- 11. Grocery store
- Oneworld
- Recommended portfolios
- Swappa, Gazelle
- Government bonds
- National Processing
- Online lenders
- 14. 401(k) contributions deduction
- Consider how much you’ll need to borrow
- 4. You can avoid problems getting a loan.
- AmEx EveryDay Cards
- 3. Outline what’s important to you
- 5. Set up your business infrastructure
- Cons of limited partnership
- Check-in
- Anti-theft devices discount
- Cheapest auto insurance in California for 20-year-olds with poor credit
- 16. Moe’s Southwest Grill
- Money Manager
- Amegy Bank Small Business Boost Program
- How to maximize your rewards
- Cheapest car insurance after a DUI
- 1. Personalize your fitness business
- Security
- Ages 45-54
- Consider paying with miles
- In case of medical emergencies
- Gold (requires 1,500 tier points):
- Fleet expense management tools
- 5. Offer memberships
- Kyte’s young-renter fee
- 3. Transfer Citi points to United to book business class
- 1. Avoid filing your tax return on paper
- Average annual car insurance costs from large companies
- Nevada
- 9. Take surveys
- Watch the calendar
- 4. Ask about residency exceptions
- NFIP
- 6. Future plans
- 10. Down Payment Assistance Program (Gainesville)
- 3. Look for equipment rebates and tax credits
- 12. Follow email regulations.
- 4. Open your account
- Card-to-card points transfers
- Taxes
- Loans for buying other businesses
- 3. Loan processing takes over
- Risks of municipal bonds
- 13. Disaster relief payments
- 6. Use your debit card to get cash back at a store
- Materials
- If you want to help your credit
- Perks await when you fly economy with elite status
- 7. Invest to build your future goals
- Which credit cards to use for primary coverage
- 6. Capital One Rewards
- Property standards
- Down payment assistance programs
- Travel
- 4. John Hancock (Silver plan: $93 for a mid-tier plan)
- 8. Shared accessories and attire
- Winner for the best basic economy tickets: JetBlue
- FHA home improvement loans
- Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant
- InboxDollars Surveys
- Low PE ratio
- Personal loan
- 5. Safeguard your Social Security.
- Lenders may charge origination fees
- The following Southwest credit cards offer EarlyBird Check-In perks:
- Security screening
- New car discount
- Chubb: Best for high-value homes
- Secured credit cards
- Set a price alert
- Step 4: Obtain any licenses or business permits
- 17. P.F. Chang’s
- Discover
- Citi trifecta
- Marriott
- Dividend per share (DPS)
- What does P2P mean?
- Countrywide JR Pass
- 3. Sell your castoffs
- American allows upgrades from economy to business
- 6. Get a business checking account and credit card
- 2. Get direct deposit
- New Hampshire
- Set cash aside
- Credit unions
- You typically borrow a car from someone in your household
- 15. Saver’s credit
- 3. Pick your index funds
- Have an estate plan in place
- 3. Japan Airlines
- It offers a 0% intro APR period and other perks
- 8. Emergency savings
- Little transparency about how your offer might compare with others
- Blue Cash Cards
- Open a new location for your business
- 11. SHIP Down Payment Assistance (Alachua County)
- Dayton Community Development Corporation grant programs
- 14. Some withdrawals from a Roth IRA
- How to have more taxes taken out of your paycheck
- 6. Sell your wares on Etsy
- No-exam life insurance rates for nonsmokers
- Customer support
- Other borrowing alternatives
- Ages 55-64
- Shopping
- Kyte insurance
- 12. Drugstore
- Know your health insurance terms
- 10. Search for regular jobs for kids
- Options
- 5. Find your customers
- Military Entrepreneur Challenge
- 4. Zipcar
- Pay with points and miles
- How quickly could the IRS implement the child tax credit expansion?
- File taxes online with tax software
- Stocks
- 4. Research your investments with care
- 13. Make sure your investors are accredited.
- Safety equipment discount
- Rebook if you find a cheaper price
- 18. Pinkberry
- AndroMoney
- 4. The underwriter makes a decision based on your documentation
- 8. Grow your financial well-being
- Our pick for: Cell phone and internet bill payments
- 5. Kiwi
- Upgrading to Main Plus
- Prudence's policy:
- Example money market account APYs at select institutions
- Dividend yield
- What is P2P payment?
- VA supplemental loans
- Most Delta upgrades are from economy to premium economy
- 3. Stay on top of things
- You regularly borrow the same car from someone you don’t live with
- 16. Health savings account contributions deduction
- Google Opinion Rewards
- Step 5: Register the business
- 3. Scout a location
- Hire new employees
- 12. Homebuyer Assistance Program (Volusia County)
- 6. High-yield savings accounts
- Home equity loan
- Chase Dining
- Cheapest auto insurance in California for 20-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket
- Our pick for: Flat-rate travel rewards
- Maybe, maybe not
- 7. Use a travel credit card instead
- Best insurance company for accident forgiveness: Geico
- Can you pay estimated taxes at any time?
- The winner: Capital One
- 6. OfferUp
- 2. Make your fitness studio a place to hang out
- No-exam life insurance rates for smokers
- United
- 7. Citi ThankYou Points
- Resident status rules
- Raising a child
- Apply for PSLF forgiveness
- Community property states
- South Dakota
- Consider using a retirement account
- Chase cards
- You can only apply for the product you’re invited to
- 1. Be concise
- Rates may be higher than other financing options
- Step 5: Open a business bank account and get a business credit card
- 19. Pizza Hut
- San Antonio Economic Development Department grant programs
- How to have less taxes taken out of your paycheck
- User experience
- Scenario: Doctor visits and an MRI
- Benefits
- 4. Earn badges through Live videos
- FHA and VA energy-efficient loans
- 7. Get financing
- Use the Best Fare Finder and pay in cash
- 13. Antique or thrift store
- Grant programs
- You drive rarely or not at all
- 17. Self-employment expenses deduction
- Bonds
- Private flood insurance
- Chase premium checking accounts
- Pros of C corporation
- 13. Affordable Home Ownership Assistance Program (Daytona Beach)
- The risks and rewards of each
- Pros of a 203(k) loan
- Cheapest auto insurance for poor credit
- 9. Shared home improvement equipment
- Higher premiums, more coverage
- 4. One more thing to know about your tax refund
- Tennessee
- 4. Decide where to buy your index funds
- Swagbucks
- Estimate loan payments
- Delta SkyMiles Cards
- Potentially high monthly payments
- 14. Establish a privacy policy.
- 5. Choose investments that match your tolerance for risk
- Chase Experiences
- Be flexible with destination, airport and dates
- 20. Red Robin
- 1Money
- How to maximize your rewards
- What happens if I forget to pay my quarterly taxes?
- Past years' state tax rates
- If you want to resolve the default quickly or already rehabilitated the loan
- 7. Self-publish an e-book
- 9. Estate planning: Protect your financial well-being
- How does RVshare insurance work?
- Reviews
- Where is the best place to exchange currency?
- U.S. Bank
- 5. Nationwide (Essential plan: $76)
- Drawbacks
- 14. Fitness studio or gym
- Corporate bonds
- 6. Get the logistics down
- 18. Home office deduction
- Ohio Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
- If you need funds ASAP, other lenders may be faster
- Invest in technology
- Cons of C corporation
- Home equity line of credit
- Lubbock Economic Development Alliance grants
- Cons of a 203(k) loan
- If you refinance your original business loan
- 4. Register your clothing business
- 5. Your loan is cleared to close
- Safe Travels USA
- How to use a W-4 to owe nothing on a tax return
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- 8. Bank of America® rewards
- Refinancing
- Dividend payout ratio
- Regional Japan rail passes
- Rural housing repair loans and grants
- 4. Book premium cabin flights through AmEx Travel
- How much is auto insurance after an at-fault accident?
- Texas
- Hire and work with a tax preparer or another tax pro
- 1. Live in the house for at least two years
- Mutual funds
- 2. Use bullet points
- 7. CDs
- Massachusetts scholarships
- 15. Create a company handbook.
- Cheapest auto insurance in California for 20-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash
- 21. Starbucks
- Capital One
- How do I find a currency exchange near me?
- When to change your life insurance beneficiary
- Book Emirates economy fares on points
- Lower premiums, higher out-of-pocket
- Online financing platforms
- 19. Educator expenses deduction
- SCORE
- AmEx cards
- Hilton Honors Cards
- 6. Price your services
- Missed payments negatively impact credit
- Good student discount
- How can I make paying quarterly taxes easier?
- 7. Poshmark
- 3. Incorporate data into your services
- Scenario: Trip to the ER
- Part-year resident status rules
- 5. Build a community
- Rewards rate
- American’s inclusive lounge access
- 15. Tutoring business
- Star Alliance
- 11. Monetize your social media accounts
- 4. United Airlines
- 2. See whether you qualify for an exception
- 4. Review and sign your franchise agreement
- 14. Down Payment Assistance Program (Orange County)
- Country Financial: Best for using an agent
- Step 6: Explore funding options
- 22. Wingstop
- The Alamo Small Business Grant Program
- Points or loan origination fees
- State Farm vs. Allstate home insurance
- Where can you exchange currency for free?
- Citi Double Cash® Card
- 10. Vacation rentals
- Kyte vs. Turo and Getaround
- Home loans for Native American veterans
- Washington
- 20. Solar tax credit
- Minority Business Assistance Centers
- 5. Buy index funds
- Exchange-traded funds
- 3. Speak to your audience
- Pros
- Property-based passive income ideas
- Cash-out refinance
- 16. Hire competent legal counsel.
- Homeowner discount
- 8. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel
- Why we love RVshare
- 6. BookWithMatrix
- 16. Ice cream shop
- 12. Get paid to stream on Twitch
- Is an import/export business profitable?
- 3. Keep the receipts for your home improvements
- 15. Dare to Own the Dream (Tampa)
- 23. Red Lobster
- More from NerdWallet
- State Farm vs. USAA home insurance
- Discover
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card*
- 6. Seven Corners (Basic plan: $75)
- Section 184 Indian home loan
- 21. Energy efficient home improvement tax credit
- Citi cards
- Marriott Bonvoy Cards
- 3. Building a budget
- 7. Find your customers
- Pros of S corporation
- Cons
- Cryptocurrency pros
- Student away-at-school discount
- Cheapest auto insurance in California for 20-year-old drivers after a DUI
- Our pick for: Customizable bonus categories
- Best insurance company for having few customer complaints: American Family
- Complete financial plan and investment advice
- Nonresident status rules
- 11. Electronics repair
- Delta has better lounges, more restrictions
- 17. Dry cleaner
- SkyTeam
- Wyoming
- Tornadoes
- How do import/export companies make money?
- Confirm the grant is available
- Step 6: Find and maintain clients
- 5. Attend corporate training
- 16. East Tampa CRA Down Payment Assistance Program (Tampa)
- 8. Buy a rental property
- Hurricanes
- Nationwide vs. Allstate home insurance
- How to maximize your rewards
- 4. Specialize in a type of workout or demographic
- Don’t forget the fifth-freedom flights
- Winter storms
- 22. Electric vehicle tax credit
- 6. Keep an eye on your index funds
- An additional service fee to get a cash refund
- Cons of S corporation
- 4. Play to your strengths
- Personal loan
- Pay off debt
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- 5. Design and source the clothes for your line
- Home and property disaster loans
- 18. Bookstore
- Thunderstorms and hail
- What is an export license?
- Be aware of key dates
- Cryptocurrency cons
- 24. American Eagle
- America’s Seed Fund
- State Farm vs. Progressive home insurance
- Cheapest car insurance for young drivers
- CoverAmerica-Gold
- Specialized guidance and/or want to meet with an advisor face-to-face
- Conventional loans
- Citi Rewards+® Card
- 5. Get a test reader
- 9. Rent out your own house
- The winner: Discover, by a nose
- 9. Become an Instagram influencer
- Our pick for: Maximized value
- FHA loans for disaster victims
- How to compare life insurance quotes
- 19. Bed and breakfast
- Address any lingering questions
- Winter storms and freezing temperatures
- What documents do I need to import goods?
- Hail
- Review eligibility requirements
- Capital One cards
- 6. Open your doors
- 8. Understand your funding options
- Avoid taking on more debt
- 25. Anthropologie
- Nationwide vs. Geico home insurance
- 1. Has the W-4 form changed?
- 5. Get your studio on social media
- Credit cards
- Bring the kids
- Average car insurance costs after a speeding ticket
- 4. Saving money
- 17. Homeownership Assistance Program (Miami-Dade County)
- Amber Grants
- Portfolio management only
- FHA loans
- 7. Travelex Insurance Services (Basic plan: $71)
- 12. Academics courses
- Life insurance quotes vs. rates
- 20. Floral shop
- Oneworld
- Flooding
- If you owe taxes
- 10. Get a roommate
- Wait to apply
- Loyalty discount
- Hail
- Cheapest full coverage car insurance in California for 30-year-olds
- 26. Banana Republic
- Reasons to take pause before renting from RVshare
- 8. Hire staff
- Flooding
- Consider funding alternatives
- Pros of LLC
- 18. First-Time Home Buyer Program (Hallandale Beach)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- 2. What does it mean to be exempt from taxes?
- 6. You'll need to wear many hats
- 21. Gardening and landscaping
- How much are car insurance quotes?
- Alternative investment passive income ideas
- Multiple cars discount
- NJM: Best small regional insurer
- 27. DSW
- NASE Growth Grant
- Capital One
- 10. Monetize your Twitch channel
- Citi Custom Cash® Card
- Step 7: Invest in advertising and expanding
- If you’re getting a tax refund
- Cons of LLC
- Our pick for: Bank of America® customers
- Best insurance company for financial strength: Auto-Owners
- Cheapest auto insurance for senior drivers
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- NYC tax rate schedule
- 13. Language courses
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Above-the-line deductions
- S&P 500 PE ratio
- Cold plates and made-to-order meals
- Tuition waivers in Massachusetts
- Multiple policy (bundling) discount
- Tornadoes
- 28. J. Crew Factory
- 7. Hire excellent staff
- 22. Nail salon and spa
- Average car insurance costs after a DUI
- 11. Peer-to-peer lending
- Buy now, pay later apps
- Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in California for 30-year-olds
- 9. Write your day care contract and policies
- Wildfires
- Pros
- Winner for premium seating classes: Etihad
- 29. Journeys
- Understand your eligibility
- 3. When should I review my W-4?
- Deserve® Pro Mastercard
- Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card
- IHG Rewards
- 23. Photography
- Below-the-line deductions
- Wildfires
- Chase Freedom Flex℠
- Which factors determine car insurance quotes?
- Shiller PE ratio
- Zero-interest credit card
- Dividends and preferred stock
- 30. Madewell
- 6. Partner with a manufacturer
- 11. Sell your photography
- Pros
- 14. Business or marketing courses
- 24. Clothing boutique
- 12. Private equity
- Note application deadlines and awards dates
- 4. Can I adjust my W-4 multiple times throughout the year?
- How renting from Cruise America works
- Cons
- Business entity summary
- Automatic payments discount
- Cheapest auto insurance in California for 30-year-olds with poor credit
- 31. Old Navy
- 25. Daycare
- The bar
- Home equity financing
- Selling bonds
- Discover
- Our pick for: Prime gaming
- Citi Premier® Card
- Transferable points programs
- USAA: Best for military and veterans
- 32. Target Circle
- Consider financing alternatives
- Our pick for: Paying rent
- Cons
- 15. Personal wellness
- 26. Brewery or winery
- Early shopper discount
- Best insurance company for discounts: Amica
- Elite status program
- 13. Crypto staking
- No-cost alternatives
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- 27. Hardware store
- Paid-in-full discount
- Cheapest auto insurance in California for 30-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket
- Apple Cash: digital card
- 33. Aveda
- 12. Become a dog walker with Rover or Wag
- How does Cruise America insurance work?
- Citi Prestige® Card
- 28. Catering company
- Look up the insurer’s financial strength
- 5. Maximizing your credit cards
- Paperless discount
- 7. Price your products
- 16. Courses in hobbies or interests
- Refreshment stations
- 34. BareMinerals
- 29. Real estate agency
- Average annual car insurance costs for drivers with good vs. poor credit
- Why we love Cruise America
- Cash App debit card
- Product creation passive income ideas
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Cheapest auto insurance in California for 30-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash
- 35. Clinique
- The winner: It’s a toss-up
- 30. Event venue and planner
- Research the insurer’s reputation for customer service
- 8. Decide where to sell your clothing line
- 13. Sell unused gift cards
- AT&T Points Plus Card
- 17. Bookkeeping and accounting
- Winner for lowest fees: Tie
- 36. CVS
- 31. Tattoo and piercing shop
- Individual stocks
- 14. Write content
- Reasons to take pause before renting from Cruise America
- Erie: Most generous coverage
- 37. e.l.f. Cosmetics
- 32. Veterinary office
- Cheapest auto insurance in California for 30-year-old drivers after a DUI
- Best insurance company for customer satisfaction: State Farm
- Our pick for: Target gaming purchases
- 18. Consulting
- Winner for the best business class experience: Tie
- 6. Borrowing money
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- 38. Lancome
- 14. List your spare bedroom on Airbnb
- 33. Food truck
- Ask about discounts
- Dividend stocks
- 39. Sephora
- 34. Health clinic
- Consider overall premium cost, not just discounts
- 9. Market your clothing line
- How much is auto insurance for young drivers?
- 15. Publish a digital course
- 40. SmashBox
- 35. Bakery
- Shop around
- How renting from Outdoorsy works
- 19. IT support
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
- Cheapest full coverage car insurance in California for 40-year-olds
- 41. The Body Shop
- Car-related passive income ideas
- Nationwide: Best online experience
- 42. Ulta
- Best insurance company for military members: USAA
- 15. Sell your gently used clothes
- 20. Graphic design
- What is a prepaid debit card?
- Meet a local demand
- 16. Wrap your car with ads
- Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in California for 40-year-olds
- State loan programs
- 43. AMC Theatres
- 10. Work with an expert
- How does Outdoorsy insurance work?
- What is a prepaid credit card?
- Average annual car insurance costs for young drivers by company
- Target Circle™ Credit Card
- 17. Rent out a parking space
- Our pick for: Walmart gaming purchases
- Scout locations
- 44. Barnes & Noble
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Your credit utilization is simply the portion of your available credit you use, expressed as a percentage. It is the total of balances on all your credit cards divided by the total of all your credit limits. (It's also figured on a per-card basis.) This number is a big factor in your credit score — the less available credit you use, the better it is for your score.
Here’s how to keep your utilization low.
Why is having a low credit utilization important?
Paying your balances on time and in full every month is the best way to keep your score intact or build it. On the other hand, using a larger portion of your credit limit could do damage. Credit utilization accounts for around 20% to 30% of your credit scores.
But if a financial crisis means you have to lean on credit cards, take heart: Credit scores can rebound quickly once you're able to lower your utilization.
How to lower your credit utilization
1. Keep your charges on each card to a minimum
The simplest way to avoid losing credit score points for using too much of your limits is to watch how much you charge to each card. Make a habit of patrolling your online accounts to keep tabs on spending. If you are close to using 30% of your credit limit on one card, try to make a payment or switch to using another card.
Simply getting into the habit of paying twice per month instead of once could help you decrease your credit usage. Lower balances can save you interest if you carry a balance — and are good for your credit score regardless.
You can also monitor your per-card and overall credit utilization by viewing your credit score profile from NerdWallet.
2. Ask for higher credit limits
If it’s tough for you to avoid utilizing more than 30% of your available credit, another solution might be to request a credit line increase on your card or cards. Getting a credit limit increase might require you to call your card issuer or make the request online. Sometimes increases are offered automatically if you’ve had your card for a while and have a positive payment history, so be on the lookout for those offers when you log in to your account.
Another option to get a higher overall credit limit is to ask a friend or relative to add you as an authorized user on an established account. The primary user doesn't even have to give you a card or tell you the account number for your credit score to benefit. Do choose carefully: Being on the account of someone who is having problems with credit could affect your score, too. You want to be on an account showing good payment history, preferably with a high credit limit and consistently low credit utilization.
A higher overall credit limit could help you keep your credit utilization lower than it would be otherwise. This could make a big difference in your credit score. You can check your own credit to see the effect (and it won't hurt your score).
3. Set up balance alerts to stay on top of spending
If you find yourself consistently overspending, setting up balance alerts can help keep your spending in check.
Sign up with your credit card issuer to receive alerts via text message or email. You can choose to be alerted when the balance reaches a certain amount or percentage of your credit limit. Your goal is to keep the balance below 30%.
4. Pay your bill before your issuer reports to the credit bureaus
Most credit card issuers report your balance and payment activity to the credit bureaus once every 30 days. However, this doesn’t necessarily coincide nicely with when your bill is due. If your issuer reports a few days before the end of your billing cycle, you’ll consistently look like you’re carrying a high balance — even if you pay it off in full just a few days later.
Place a call to your card issuer’s customer service line to find out when it reports to the credit bureaus. Simply pay off as much of your balance as you can in advance of that date every month, and you might see a jump in your score.
5. Monitor your total credit utilization
If you have multiple credit cards, it might be hard to view the bigger picture of your credit utilization. Using the calculator below, input your credit card balances and limits to check whether you're under the recommended 30% utilization threshold.
If you’re creeping up to that limit, do your best to pay down your balances and explore ways to stop spending money.