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- Aim to earn the Companion Pass
- Experian business credit scores
- Cons
- 5. Rent out a room
- 5. Vestiaire Collective
- What do I need for my loan application?
- What if I don’t have personal auto insurance?
- Step 6: Explore ways to make or borrow money
- Redeem hotel points
- 3. Learn the difference between investing in stocks and funds
- Examine your bank
- NerdWallet's List of Best QuickBooks Alternatives
- 12. Start a virtual event planning company
- 1. Check out CDs at online banks or credit unions.
- Book your ticket and pay/get credited the difference
- Publicly-traded REITs
- 5. Research before you buy
- 6. Dividend funds
- After you're approved for Global Entry
- 4. Take advantage of an early bird discount
- 7. Gather your loan paperwork
- Nationwide the EV infrastructure is in its infancy
- Net worth of U.S. families by education
- Whole life insurance rates for smokers
- Ways to build credit
- Maintenance or general wear and tear
- 5. American Express Membership Rewards
- SBA loans
- 3. Decide how much stock you want to buy
- Reevaluate your business finances
- 8. Tutor your peers
- Excess Roth IRA contributions
- 2. Research index funds
- Trend trading
- Account linking
- How to maximize your rewards
- 7. Value investing
- 5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links
- 2. Time it right
- 5. Upwork
- 4. Borrow from your 401(k)
- Methodology
- Example CD APYs at select institutions
- 7. Mobile apps and entertainment for children
- WomensNet Grants
- Make a lump sum payment
- 7. Hospice caregiver
- ❌ Last-minute cancellation risks
- National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) grant
- 5. Watch for sales (They happen frequently)
- 9. Save money on certain extras
- TurboTax
- Consider paid advertising
- Competition remains steady
- How does coverage vary for international rentals?
- 6. Find and manage your supplies
- Eureka
- Government-backed loans
- Benefits unique to the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- 2. Consider longer CD terms or a CD ladder.
- Other types of savings accounts
- Swappa, Gazelle
- 1. Restricting regulations
- 6. Don’t let your insurance lapse
- Payday alternative loans
- Down payments and gift funds
- 6. Investment apps
- Paperwork and compliance
- Online business loans
- 6. Pick your investments
- 1. Choose a name for your PLLC
- Resident status rules
- Step 7: Examine your health care options
- Medicare Supplement Plan G vs. Plan N
- Government bonds
- Bars
- 13. Sell zero-waste products
- 7. Chat with an advisor
- CarGurus
- View the reconcile summary
- 5. Offer memberships
- Cheapest car insurance after a DUI
- Public non-traded REITs
- 3. Look for equipment rebates and tax credits
- Coinbase Wallet: 4.4 out of 5 stars
- 8. Use a do-over
- There are upfront costs to charge at home
- 1. 'I’ll wait until the stock market is safe to invest.'
- Parent PLUS loans
- Second trimester
- 11. Luxury hotel benefits
- Spend toward A-List status
- 5. Do a final check
- Reach out to your lender
- Two-day ticket deals
- 9. Take surveys
- Fleet expense management tools
- Use miles to save cash
- 4. Open your account
- Security
- Risk
- What happens if you are declined?
- 8. Shared accessories and attire
- 8. Get a preapproval letter
- Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant
- Make biweekly payments
- 6. Capital One Rewards
- Antitrust concerns
- 2. Designate a registered agent for your PLLC
- FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
- 1. Automate transfers
- 1. Southwest Rapid Rewards
- What is the procedure for filing a claim?
- Buy and hold
- Grow Credit Mastercard
- 7. Create a marketing plan
- InboxDollars Surveys
- Avianca VIP Lounge
- Set a price alert
- 14. Make products for pets
- Use your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points
- Most popular
- Dividend per share (DPS)
- AAA and other member organizations
- 8. Childbirth education or doula
- 10. Relax your mind
- Our pick for: Bulk and prescription savings
- 3. Pick your index funds
- THE PAYOFF
- 3. Sell your castoffs
- Consider targeted investing
- Bring a snack (just in case)
- Pro tip: How to figure out the new ticket cost
- Winner for its variety of credit cards: Delta
- 8. Income investing
- 6. Sell your wares on Etsy
- How to have more taxes taken out of your paycheck
- Purchase discounted Airbnb gift cards
- Military Entrepreneur Challenge
- 2. 'I’ll buy back in next week when it’s lower.'
- Cigna Medicare Part D
- Stocks
- Third trimester
- 12. Cardholder hotline
- No-exam life insurance rates for nonsmokers
- ❌ Strict cancellation policies
- Get professional assistance
- 10. Search for regular jobs for kids
- For booking travel experiences beyond the cruise: TripAdvisor
- 4. Debit card
- 2. Air New Zealand Airpoints
- How quickly could the IRS implement the child tax credit expansion?
- Medicare Supplement Plan G vs. Plan F
- Use free night certificates
- Stay flexible
- Rebook if you find a cheaper price
- 15. Create custom clothing
- Other general-purpose travel card reviews
- Customer support
- 3. Consider step-up or bump-up CDs.
- Private REITs
- Home equity loan
- Dividend yield
- Example money market account APYs at select institutions
- EVs come with an element of the unknown
- Pay extra on your monthly car payment
- Best insurance company for accident forgiveness: Geico
- FHA appraisal
- 3. Get business licenses for your PLLC
- America’s Seed Fund
- 11. Build personal confidence
- Part-year resident status rules
- Traditional marketing
- Google Opinion Rewards
- 5. Kiwi
- Invest in noise-canceling headphones
- Appendix: How the math works in our examples
- Our pick for: Cell phone and internet bill payments
- Best insurance company for accident forgiveness: Geico
- 2. Initial cost
- Trust Wallet: 4.3 out of 5 stars
- 6. OfferUp
- 401(k) hardship withdrawals
- 13. Access to unique, cardmember-only events
- No-exam life insurance rates for smokers
- 7. Citi ThankYou Points
- Three-day ticket deals
- Resident status rules
- 2. Count your coins and bills
- 3. Frontier Miles
- Zero-interest credit card
- Fly on off-peak days
- Cars.com
- How to have less taxes taken out of your paycheck
- 5. Enter a debt management plan
- 9. Choose a real estate agent carefully
- 3. 'I’m bored of this stock, so I’m selling.'
- Bonds
- ❌ Costs
- 4. File your articles of organization
- Benefits
- Prepared to put down roots?
- 4. Earn badges through Live videos
- Consider a light blanket
- 16. Sell vintage clothing online
- User experience
- 9. Socially responsible investing
- Cheapest auto insurance for poor credit
- 9. Shared home improvement equipment
- Labor and delivery
- Car manufacturer
- 9. Fitness nurse
- Barclays Small Business Big Wins
- 4. Decide where to buy your index funds
- Experiential marketing
- 4. InterMiles
- Is Medicare Supplement Plan G worth it?
- 4. Set a budget for your stock market investment
- Swagbucks
- Get your fifth night free
- Be flexible with destination, airport and dates
- 5. Choose investments that match your tolerance for risk
- 7. Self-publish an e-book
- 3. Ongoing investment
- Home equity line of credit
- 5. Use a rewards card to pay for Airbnb
- Ohio Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
- How does RVshare insurance work?
- Check for leaks
- Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX)
- 3. Prep for grocery shopping
- Nonresident status rules
- Drawbacks
- Home equity financing
- Corporate bonds
- 1. Choose to DIY or get some help
- Coffee and nonalcoholic options
- 17. Begin niche blogging
- Reviews
- How to use a W-4 to owe nothing on a tax return
- MetaMask: 4.0 out of 5 stars
- Dividend payout ratio
- 10. Narrow down your ideal type of house and neighborhood
- Mutual funds
- 8. Bank of America® rewards
- 5. Draft an operating agreement
- 5. Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- 1. Live in the house for at least two years
- THE PAYOFF
- Chime Secured Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
- Compare Medigap plan types
- Pay with cash and points
- SCORE
- Cell phone company
- 10. Medical product sales
- Mortgage insurance
- Keep drains moving
- ❌ No loyalty program
- Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX)
- Freshen up your merchandise
- To match with a vacation planner: Avoya Travel
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A+ (Superior)
- How to tackle your own debt
- American Airlines credit cards
- Delta Airlines credit cards
- JetBlue credit cards
- Southwest Airlines credit cards
- United Airlines credit cards
- Other airlines' credit cards
- 4. Potential for conflict
- 7. Poshmark
- 6. Pay PLLC taxes and file annual report
- Part-year resident status rules
- 11. Monetize your social media accounts
- Hurricanes and tropical storms
- How's your job security?
- 401(k) loan
- 2. See whether you qualify for an exception
- 5. Build a community
- Pay fewer points with Cash + Points
- 18. Become an e-book writer
- Edmunds
- Cash-out refinance
- Home equity loans and lines of credit
- 10. Vacation rentals
- Minority Business Assistance Centers
- Exchange-traded funds
- Your goals and time horizon
- Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBTLX)
- Schedule time for grant applications
- 5. Buy index funds
- J.D. Power Ranking
- Build in a layover
- Long-term goals vs. short-term goals
- 8. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel
- 6. Book through an airline portal
- Other details you should know about Trust Wallet
- 14. Purchase protection
- Why we love RVshare
- Act quickly
- Take clear photos
- 12. Get paid to stream on Twitch
- 5. Credit card
- 3. Keep the receipts for your home improvements
- 6. BookWithMatrix
- 5. Lack of financial privacy
- Electrum: 2.5 out of 5 stars
- 11. Telehealth consulting
- Best insurance company for having few customer complaints: American Family
- Risk tolerance and diversification
- Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBIAX)
- Expand your search efforts
- 4. Minimize restaurant spending
- Ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points
- 5. Focus on investing for the long-term
- Design
- 19. Start ghostwriting
- Hurricanes and wind damage
- Best insurance company for having few customer complaints: American Family
- 11. Electronics repair
- Confirm the grant is available
- Credit card company
- 15. Return protection
- Turn to technology
- 7. Comply with additional state and federal regulations for PLLCs
- Selling a put example
- Nonresident status rules
- Are you financially prepared?
- More from NerdWallet
- NCQA Score Range: 2.0 to 4.5 out of 5
- How to maximize your rewards
- Personal loan
- 11. Stick to your budget
- Is Trust Wallet right for you?
- Vanguard Growth Index Fund (VIGAX)
- 2020-2022 earned income credit amounts
- Write an honest description
- 6. Keep an eye on your index funds
- Winter storms
- Earn elite status
- 20. Become a resume writer
- Best Western credit cards
- Hilton credit cards
- Hyatt credit cards
- IHG credit cards
- Marriott credit cards
- Wyndham credit cards
- Other hotel credit cards
- Be aware of key dates
- 16. Extended warranty
- Weigh grant application fees
- Our pick for: Ditching debt or financing a big buy
- California earned income tax credit (CalEITC)
- Put money in a 401(k)
- Low-risk vs. high-risk investing strategy
- Cheapest car insurance for young drivers
- 1. Access to capital
- 7. Message the host
- 12. Education specialist or course creator
- Home purchase: Basic Home Mortgage 203(b)
- Keep pipes from freezing
- Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund (VSMAX)
- 5. Get discounts on entertainment
- To book a vacation package with an airline or hotel
- Seating areas
- 21. Open a coworking space
- Flooding
- Used Car Search Pro by iSeeCars
- 9. Become an Instagram influencer
- Review eligibility requirements
- How we review crypto wallets
- Keep alternative funding in mind
- Price clothes to sell
- California young child tax credit (YCTC)
- Tornadoes
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card
- 2. Know your own ESG criteria
- Hail
- 6. Manage your stock portfolio
- Our pick for: Maximized value
- 1. Has the W-4 form changed?
- Cash advance apps
- FHA refinance loans
- Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund (VTIAX)
- Book with Marriott credit cards
- Do-it-yourself vs. hiring professional help
- 2. Efficient growth
- 12. Academics courses
- 12. Make the most of walk-throughs and open houses
- 17. Rental car coverage
- 6. Map out major purchases
- California child and dependent care tax credit
- Thunderstorms and hail
- Put money in an IRA
- Work spaces
- 22. Become an online coach
- Consider funding alternatives
- 13. Medical billing and coding contractor
- Reasons to take pause before renting from RVshare
- 3. Choose ESG investments
- Flooding
- 2. What does it mean to be exempt from taxes?
- 18. Trip cancellation or interruption insurance
- California adoption cost tax credit
- 6. Mobile via IRS2Go
- 23. Flip failing websites
- Thunderstorms and hail
- 10. Monetize your Twitch channel
- 3. Minimal employee supervision
- Ledger: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Best insurance company for financial strength: Auto-Owners
- FHA renovation loans
- Bathrooms
- Cheapest auto insurance for senior drivers
- Best insurance company for financial strength: Auto-Owners
- 13. Language courses
- NYC tax rate schedule
- 7. Restrict online shopping
- California nonrefundable renters tax credit
- 24. Become a web developer
- TrueCar
- 13. Don’t skip the home inspections
- 14. Career coach
- Other specialty FHA loans
- 19. Trip delay reimbursement
- 4. Increased brand awareness
- Buy now, pay later
- Wildfires
- 25. Start a podcast
- Pros
- 3. When should I review my W-4?
- Trezor: 4 out of 5 stars
- 20. Lost luggage reimbursement
- Open a 529 account
- 5. Reduced risk
- 8. Delay purchases with the 30-day rule
- 26. Be a social media influencer
- 11. Sell your photography
- 14. Business or marketing courses
- 14. Negotiate with the seller
- 15. Child care provider
- 21. Medical emergencies during travel
- Pros
- 4. Can I adjust my W-4 multiple times throughout the year?
- How renting from Cruise America works
- Our pick for: Everyday spending
- Cons
- SafePal: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- 9. Get creative with gifts
- 7. Same-day wire transfer
- Fund your flexible spending account (FSA)
- 27. Create online courses
- Our pick for: Prime gaming
- 1. Loss of complete brand control
- 15. Personal wellness
- 15. Buy adequate home insurance
- Best insurance company for discounts: Amica
- Cons
- 28. Become a marketing consultant
- Best insurance company for discounts: Amica
- Use dependent care flexible spending accounts (DCFSAs)
- Methodology
- Assess your skills
- 10. Lower your car costs
- 2. Increased potential for legal disputes
- 29. Develop an app
- 12. Become a dog walker with Rover or Wag
- How does Cruise America insurance work?
- Maximize health savings accounts (HSAs)
- 16. Courses in hobbies or interests
- 11. Reduce your gas usage
- 3. Initial investment
- Align your schedule
- Benefits of FHA loans
- 30. Make a smart appliance
- Why we love Cruise America
- 8. Check, money order or cashier’s check
- Disadvantages of FHA loans
- 31. Tap into virtual reality experiences
- 13. Sell unused gift cards
- 4. Federal and state regulation
- 17. Bookkeeping and accounting
- 12. Bundle cable and internet
- Feed your passion
- Individual stocks
- 32. Make a niche dating site
- Reasons to take pause before renting from Cruise America
- Hold the right cards
- Best insurance company for customer satisfaction: State Farm
- 13. Switch your cell phone plan
- 33. Develop a chatbot
- Best insurance company for customer satisfaction: State Farm
- 18. Consulting
- Our pick for: Driving
- Our pick for: Target gaming purchases
- 14. List your spare bedroom on Airbnb
- 34. Offer matchmaking skills
- For cruise package deals: Costco Travel
- Dividend stocks
- 14. Reduce your electric bill
- 35. Be a virtual assistant
- 9. Cash
- Play by the rules
- 19. IT support
- How renting from Outdoorsy works
- 15. Lower your student loan payments
- 36. Reinvent exercising
- Understand the guest policy
- Best insurance company for military members: USAA
- 37. Create eco-friendly, health-friendly makeup and beauty products
- 15. Sell your gently used clothes
- Best insurance company for military members: USAA
- 16. Cancel unnecessary subscriptions
- Directly with the Cruise Line
- 20. Graphic design
- 38. Open a food truck or restaurant pop-up
- 17. Refinance your mortgage
- 39. Start an organization business
- How does Outdoorsy insurance work?
- Know how to navigate the SFO airport (to literally get inside)
- Our pick for: Walmart gaming purchases
- 40. Do interior design for young professionals
- 16. Trade in old phones, electronics for cash
- 21. Social media management
- 18. Set savings goals
- 10. IRS payment plan or installment agreement
- Reasons to love Outdoorsy
- 17. Get a babysitting gig
- 22. Marketing copywriter
- Reasons to take pause before renting from Outdoorsy
- 19. Track spending
- 23. Virtual assistant services
- 20. Pay off high-interest debt
- 18. Rent out your car
- Our pick for: PlayStation purchases
- 21. Keep savings in a high-yield savings account
- 22. Create a 50/30/20 budget
- 1. Do your research
- 19. Sign up for TaskRabbit
- 2. Get organized and make it official
- 23. Shop consignment and thrift stores
- 20. Become a private tutor
- 3. Find the right financing
- 24. Join initiatives to get free items
- Our pick for: Best Buy purchases
- 21. Drive for Uber, Lyft
- Trip cancellation
- 25. Use car sharing services
- Trip interruption
- 22. Make deliveries for Amazon, Uber Eats
- 26. Stock up on household supplies when they’re cheap
- Trip delay
- 23. Find work as a housesitter
- Cancel For Any Reason
- 27. Enjoy community events
- Baggage delay
- Our pick for: Digital Microsoft Store purchases
- 24. Sign up to be a mystery shopper
- 28. Cash in on your birthday
- Lost baggage
- Travel medical insurance
- 25. Put your drone to work
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.