Skip to contentNerdWallet Home Page
Find your best

Best credit cardsBest rewards cardsBest cash back cardsBest travel cardsBest balance transfer cardsBest 0% APR cardsBest student cardsBest cards for bad creditBest small business cards
Best high-yield online savings accountsBest savings accountsBest CD ratesBest checking accountsBest money market accountsBest cash management accountsBest bonuses and promotionsBest banks
Best brokers for stocksBest brokers for beginnersBest IRA providersBest Roth IRA providersBest robo-advisorsBest for active tradingBest for options tradingBest financial advisors
Best mortgage lendersBest lenders for first-time home buyersBest refinance lendersBest online lendersBest FHA lendersBest VA lendersBest for low down paymentBest lenders for low credit
Best car insuranceBest cheap car insuranceBest life insuranceBest homeowners insuranceBest renters insurance
Best personal loansBest personal loans for excellent creditBest personal loans for good creditBest personal loans for fair creditBest online personal lendersBest personal loan interest ratesBest bank loansBest small personal loansBest emergency loansBest installment loansBest debt consolidation loansBest long-term personal loans
Best student loansBest private student loansBest student refinance lenders
Compare and review

Compare side-by-sideCompare bonus offersCompare rewards cardsCompare 0% APR cardsCompare balance transfer cardsSee all credit card reviewsGet a card recommendation
Compare savings accountsCompare CD accountsCompare checking accountsCompare money market accountsCompare cash management accountsCompare all accountsMarcus reviewAmerican Express reviewHSBC reviewSee all bank and credit union reviews
Compare online brokeragesFidelityMerrill EdgeETRADETD AmeritradeVanguardSoFi Active InvestingBettermentInteractive BrokersRobinhood
Compare current mortgage ratesCompare current refinance ratesCompare current 30-year fixed ratesCompare current 15-year fixed ratesCompare current 5/1 ARM ratesCompare FHA mortgage ratesCompare cash-out refinance ratesCompare pre-approval lendersSee all mortgage lender reviews
Compare car insurance ratesCompare the big 4 car insurersSee all life insurance reviewsSee all car insurance reviews
Compare personal loansCompare bad credit loansCompare debt consolidation loans
Compare refinance student loans
Explore topics

Pick the best credit cardBalance transfer 101How to boost your approval oddsCredit card dataAll about credit cards
What is a good credit score?8 ways to build credit fastWhat makes up your credit score?Prevent identity theft, protect your creditHow to pay off debtHow to consolidate debtAll about credit score
How to open a bank accountHow much should you have in savings?High-yield CD: how it worksCD investments: how much you can earnChecking accounts 101All about banking
How much to save for retirementChoosing a financial advisorHow to buy stocksRoth IRA guideAll about investing
Tips for first-time home buyersFirst-time home buyer programs by stateHow to refinance your mortgageFHA loans: what you need to knowAll about mortgages
Refinance your auto loanHow to pay for collegeHow to get a business loanStudent loan repayment plansAll about loans
Arrive at the best car insurance quoteThe difference between term and whole life insuranceGet term life insurance quotesUnderstanding homeowners insuranceAll about insurance
Choosing the right budget system25 ways to make money online and offlineHow to lower your energy billHow to save moneyAll about spending & saving
How to fill out or update your W4Tax brackets and ratesTrack your federal and state refundsFederal income tax calculatorAll about taxes
Points and miles 101The best travel loyalty programsHow much your points and miles are worthHow to find travel insuranceAll about travel
Know your money

Balance transfer savings calculatorInterest rate calculator
Credit utilization calculatorDebt consolidation calculatorDebt payoff calculatorDebt to income calculator
Compound Interest calculatorSavings calculatorCD calculatorEmergency fund calculatorChecking vs savings account calculator
401(k) savings calculatorRoth IRA calculatorRetirement calculatorInvestment return calculator
Mortgage calculatorHow much house can I afford?Refinance calculatorDown payment calculatorCost of living calculatorAmortization calculatorFHA loan calculatorAll mortgage calculators
Student loan calculatorStudent loan refinance calculatorPersonal loan calculatorPersonal loan refinance calculatorBusiness loan calculatorMerchant cash advance calculatorAuto lease calculator
Life insurance calculatorLife insurance finderHow medical conditions affect your life insurance rateIncome replacement calculatorCar insurance rate estimator
Net worth calculatorBudget calculatorBudget worksheetSavings goal calculatorTotal car cost calculatorCar refinance calculator
Capital gains calculatorFederal income tax calculator
Cash vs miles calculatorTrue airfare cost calculator
Sign in
Advertiser Disclosure

Lindsay Konsko

twitter facebook
Posts by Lindsay Konsko:

5 Tips for Lowering Your Credit Utilization

Lindsay Konsko & Bev O'Shea
April 13, 2020

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…

Read More

How to Stop Credit Card Preapproval Letters

Lindsay Konsko
Sept. 29, 2018

If your mailbox is stuffed with preapproved credit card offers you have no interest in pursuing, there’s a quick way to make them stop. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT or visit OptOutPrescreen.com. The phone number…

Read More
Why Do Some Stores Have Credit Card Minimums?

Why Do Some Stores Have Credit Card Minimums?

Lindsay Konsko & Robin Saks Frankel
Aug. 3, 2020

Have you ever tried to buy something small with your credit card, only to be told the store has a minimum purchase requirement? There’s a financial reason behind that merchant’s rule. Whether you’re using…

Read More

I Only Have One Credit Card – Is That a Problem?

Lindsay Konsko
Sept. 27, 2018

Some people are hardcore credit-card optimizers: They carry a wallet packed with plastic and pull out a different credit card for every situation. Others put a premium on simplicity: They find one card that works just…

Read More

Is There a Limit to How Many Credit Cards I Can Have?

Lindsay Konsko
Sept. 27, 2018

Plenty of people love credit cards — love the rewards they earn, the perks they enjoy, the interest-free financing they can get, the security offered by quick access to funds in a pinch.…

Read More

How to Apply for a Credit Card Without a Social Security Number

Lindsay Konsko & Virginia C. McGuire
Oct. 28, 2020

Not having a Social Security number can be a serious stumbling block when you want to apply for a credit card, since most card issuers specifically ask for one on your application.…

Read More
Credit Card Closed Due to Inactivity?

What to Know If Your Credit Card Is Closed Due to Inactivity

Sara Rathner & Lindsay Konsko
Sept. 22, 2020

If you don’t use a credit card for a year or more, the issuer may decide to close the account. In fact, inactivity is one of the most common reasons…

Read More

When Will My Credit Card Debt Appear in My Credit Report?

Lindsay Konsko
Dec. 11, 2019

Credit card-wielding shoppers may be curious to find out how soon purchases will be reflected in their credit reports. Here’s a closer look at how and when your credit card debt…

Read More

Will a Balance Transfer Hurt My Credit Score?

Lindsay Konsko & Erin Hurd
Jan. 14, 2021

Thinking about moving high-interest credit card debt to a card with a lower rate — or, better yet, a 0% interest period — by doing a balance transfer? This move…

Read More
How Long Should I Wait Between Credit Card Applications?

How Long Should I Wait Between Credit Card Applications?

Kimberly Palmer & Lindsay Konsko
Jan. 5, 2021

Waiting about six months between credit card applications can increase your chances of getting approved.  Apply more frequently than that, and issuers may see you as a riskier bet and reject your…

Read More

Posts navigation

Older posts
NerdWallet's Best Credit Cards
  • Best Credit Cards of 2019
  • Best Rewards Credit Cards
  • Best Cash Back Credit Cards
  • Best Balance Transfer Cards
  • Best Low Interest Credit Cards
  • Best Travel Credit Cards
  • Best Airline Credit Cards
  • Best Small Business Credit Cards
  • Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Shop & Compare Credit Cards
  • All Credit Card Offers
  • Rewards Credit Cards
  • Cash Back Credit Cards
  • Travel Credit Cards
  • Balance Transfer Credit Cards
  • Zero Percent Credit Cards
  • Business Credit Cards
  • Student Credit Cards
  • Bad Credit Credit Cards
  • Should you accept a loan from your credit card?How a Credit Card Loan’s Fast and Easy Cash Can Cost You
  • How Wedding Expenses Paid for Their Tickets to Ireland
  • How Do I Know If the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard Is for Me?
  • How to Pay for the Perfect Solo Trip Using Points
  • 3 Ways Credit Cards Can Ease the Pain of Labor Day Travel
  • The Most Valuable Perks of the Orbitz Rewards Visa Card
  • Why This Southwest Card Is a Solid Choice for Budget Travelers
  • 4 Reasons the New Bonvoy Bold Card Is a Great Way to Test the Hotel Loyalty Waters
  • Is the Orbitz Rewards Credit Card Right for Me?
  • Jump Into Summer Vacation With Travel Rewards in Mind
More from NerdWallet
  • Credit Cards
  • Checking Accounts
  • Savings Accounts
  • CD Rates
  • Mortgages
  • Auto Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Loans
  • Investing
  • Small Business
  • Health
  • Student Loan Refinance
NerdWallet Home Page
Make all the right money moves
about
Company
Leadership
Press
Careers
help
Help center
Support team
Community
Security FAQs
legal
Terms of use
Privacy policy
California privacy policy

Updated

Do not sell my personal information
Download the app
Learn more about the app
Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_RGB_blk_4SVG_092917

Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific product’s site. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institution’s Terms and Conditions. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion® directly.

Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc.: Licenses

NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539

NMLS Consumer AccessLicenses and Disclosures

California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812

NerdWallet USA
|
NerdWallet UK
© 2021 NerdWallet, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.