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- Amber Grant for Women
- 3. Book recently added properties
- Ages 45 to 54
- Go to Epcot during a festival
- 4. The tax advantages are prime for kids
- Look at the pricing and execution fine print
- 10. Sign up for a free trial
- Other contingencies
- Winner: Cabo for luxury, Cancun for variety
- Andover Companies: Best coverage
- Switch to an income-driven repayment plan
- IHG Ambassador benefits at all the other IHG brands
- Cons of debt consolidation
- Unpaid interest is cancelled
- How much is Hulu?
- Revocable life insurance trusts
- 7. Primrose Schools
- 12. Edible Arrangements
- 2. Find and compare lenders
- 10. Make local guides
- 4. Keep the deadline in mind
- Borrow from your 401(k)
- 4. Get the appropriate licenses and permits
- 9. Catering
- Pack only one bag to carry on
- 4. Decide how to sell your meals
- It can create credit diversity
- Free Wi-Fi
- Fare flexibility/ticket changes
- 1st Commercial Credit
- 3. Land a brand deal and make sponsored content
- Filing your LLC articles of organization
- Index funds
- Beta
- Home prices keep climbing
- 4. Take surveys for money
- Wellness Rewards
- Cheap full coverage car insurance companies by state
- 4. Reflect on why you shop
- 2. Evaluate the stock
- VantageScore ranges
- 6. Add your minor child
- 3. Submit your application and wait
- 4. Barclays rewards
- Mortgage rates
- 3. Don’t quit restaurants cold turkey
- 3. Investment accounts for kids
- Free online tax filing software compared
- What else should I know about Roth 401(k) taxes?
- You don't want to risk sold-out cars
- 6. Compare mortgage rates and fees
- 4. Think about getting a second opinion
- Job growth
- 3. Car Shair
- Consider Original Medicare if you:
- How much does a HELOC cost?
- Read the reviews
- Cheapest auto insurance in Florida for 20-year-olds with poor credit
- Step 4: Plan the business budget
- 6. Depart mid-week, avoid Mondays and weekends
- Hedging against future downturns
- 4. Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
- You want to redeem points for travel directly
- Talk to your parents about the hard stuff if you haven’t yet
- Protect your credit
- 3. Scrutinize your closing paperwork
- 5. Consider contributing enough to get any employer match
- Key factors at play
- 4. Replace your income, plus add a cushion
- 5. Monitor your total credit utilization
- Pros
- Ages 25-34
- Pros of health care stocks
- 6. Claiming a home office deduction
- 9. Freelance researching
- Split between a traditional and Roth IRA to defer taxes
- 4. Integrated oil companies
- Free unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos
- Self-employment tax
- An example of buying a call option vs. buying the underlying stock
- Guarda: 4.6 out of 5 stars
- Flexibility
- Conventional loans
- Investing in individual tech stocks
- 4. Straightforward banking
- Cheap auto insurance after an accident
- 4. Special dividends
- 11. Mortgage interest deduction
- 6. You cannot be subject to expatriate tax
- Injuries to you
- Carry your documents
- 3. The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)
- Step 2: Fill in Form 944 Part 1.
- Traditionally best rates, more commitment required
- 2. Promote your business
- Conventional loans
- Step 4: Get business insurance
- Payday loans and the Military Lending Act
- Why it’s the best
- Cruising further from the U.S.
- Romance scams
- Virginia car insurance rates after a speeding ticket by company: 40-year-old drivers
- 5. Explore new industries
- Which is better when?
- Hybrid REITs
- 4. Explore emerging industries
- 13. Firehouse Subs
- 10. Social media management
- 5. Obtain small-business funding
- 2. Review your Loan Estimates
- Gym workouts via the Planet Fitness app
- 7. Content automation
- Will you be covered?
- 7. Freelance coder
- Build your score and then switch cards
- 5. Get a quote
- EPS (TTM) and earnings date
- 5. Gather your paperwork
- Best insurance company for affordability: NJM
- 2. Online financial planning services
- Rocket Money
- Our pick for: Everyday spending
- Where to get it
- Unsecured funds
- National Association for the Self-Employed Growth Grant
- Other economic indicators
- Other ways to redeem your points
- Redemption value
- Ages 55 to 64
- Alaska
- 5. The money can be used for more than retirement
- 11. Enter sweepstakes
- 6. Enrichment activities for children
- Pay bills on time
- Stay with friends or family near your destination
- Cybersecurity liability insurance
- 8. Kiddie Academy
- Debt-to-income ratio
- Cons of health care stocks
- 1. Have a goal for your index funds
- Short-term bond funds
- 11. Create a local grocery delivery service
- 10. Freelance coding and web design
- See what’s available in your brokerage account
- 1. Individual stocks
- Join the Qatar Airways Student Club
- Amazon Elements
- Maintaining financial health
- 5. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
- Seat selection
- Inverse performance
- Debt-to-income requirements
- 5. Preferred dividends
- Commit 20% of your income to savings and debt paydown
- 5. Replace emotional shopping with a free activity
- 3. Decide how much stock you want to buy
- What if you can’t pay your bills?
- Additional standard deduction 2023 (taxes due 2024)
- Learn how to become:
- 12. Gambling loss deduction
- Compare car insurance rates for 35-year-olds
- Calculating taxable Social Security and Medicare wages
- Consider Medicare Advantage if you:
- Legal protection
- Keep your job
- Certain repositioning cruises
- Debt scams
- Virginia car insurance rates after a speeding ticket by company: 25-year-old drivers
- How much is Disney+?
- Irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs)
- 6. The Platinum Card® from American Express
- 4. Find a (safe) day care facility
- 14. IHop
- 7. Using nice, neat, round numbers
- Tap your home equity
- Consider a condo
- 4. Register for taxes and obtain an EIN
- 5. Master limited partnerships
- Rewards rate
- Book one to three months in advance
- Referral program
- 8. Online thrifter
- Try different ways to avoid overspending
- Porter Capital
- Ex-dividend date
- Custodial wallet
- How much dwelling coverage do I have?
- 7. Suspend your benefit
- Emergency passport appointments
- 3. Learn the difference between investing in stocks and funds
- In network
- Alabama Mortgage Credit Certificates
- Fare flexibility/ticket changes
- You might be able to reserve a car now — and rebook the same one later at a discount
- You can use credit card benefits to travel in basic economy
- Bizee’s Fresh Start Business Grant
- What do I need for my loan application?
- 5. Focus on the long term
- Federal Reserve
- Look for food similar to high-end restaurants, served elsewhere
- 4. Sit back and relax
- Consistency is key
- Buy it
- Keep credit utilization below 30%
- Cash in loyalty points for free stays or discounted rates
- Hawaii weather and terrain
- American Express
- Allstate
- Publicly-traded REITs
- 2. American Airlines
- Cons
- 12. Start a virtual event planning company
- 11. Business planning service
- 2. Mutual funds
- Amazon Family
- 5. Vestiaire Collective
- 2. Digital assets
- 5. Rent out a room
- Exodus: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Loss potential
- Saving and investing for retirement
- 8. Artificial intelligence
- How fast will it be?
- 1. No South American partners
- Baggage and boarding
- 5. Simplified business ownership
- 4. Sell some merch
- How to maximize your rewards
- 6. Dividend funds
- Cheap full coverage auto insurance for drivers with an accident or DUI
- Additional standard deduction 2024 (taxes due 2025)
- Ways to build credit
- 13. IRA contributions deduction
- Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard®
- 5. American Express Membership Rewards
- Your stolen stuff
- Loan limits
- 7. Gather your loan paperwork
- 4. Take advantage of an early bird discount
- Ages 65 to 74
- Florida
- Fare flexibility/ticket changes
- 6. Decide whether you want to supplement your savings outside of a 401(k)
- 2023 tax rates by state
- 9. Kumon Math and Reading Centers
- Ages 35-44
- 2. Research index funds
- 15. Melting Pot
- 3. Submit your application
- Decide which type of money market fund is right for you
- Sole proprietorship taxation: Income and self-employed taxes
- Step 5: Draft an LLC operating agreement
- Work with a real estate agent to find your ideal second home
- U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
- Investing in tech funds
- Exchange-traded funds
- 1-year target estimate
- Other VA refinance requirements
- Competition remains steady
- 5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links
- Mini CD ladder
- 5. Upwork
- Out of network
- Baggage and boarding
- 4. Borrow from your 401(k)
- Cheapest auto insurance in Florida for 20-year-olds with one speeding ticket
- 1. Think long term versus short term
- Don’t skip free hotel breakfast
- 5. Money market funds
- Create an estate plan
- 7. Mobile apps and entertainment for children
- Use credit card perks, maybe
- Respond quickly to lender requests
- Step 5: Get a business credit card, business checking account
- Keep credit accounts open
- 1. Earn elite status
- Student loan scams
- How much is Max?
- Commercial auto insurance
- 5. Get insured
- Individual health care stocks
- Index funds
- 11. Software and app development
- 12. Tax consulting
- 6. Find and manage your supplies
- 1. Get a grasp on your new budget
- Government-backed loans
- Additional options
- Predictability
- 6. Pick your investments
- Money Manager
- 14. 401(k) contributions deduction
- 4. Shop online with purpose
- Government bonds
- Airbnb Plus
- Make 10 years' worth of payments
- Paperwork and compliance
- Baggage and boarding
- 1. 'I’ll wait until the stock market is safe to invest.'
- How I bonds are taxed
- Public non-traded REITs
- Down payments and gift funds
- 16. Moe’s Southwest Grill
- 13. Sell zero-waste products
- Resident status rules
- 6. Brand your bakery
- Schedule C
- 6. Investment apps
- 9. Podcasting
- 9. Data entry guru
- Moving averages
- How to maximize your rewards
- Cheapest car insurance after a DUI
- Uneven splits
- 8. Use a do-over
- Venmo Small Business Grant
- Travel credits
- 2. Look into tax-loss harvesting
- Nevada
- In case of medical emergencies
- Space out credit applications
- Book a hotel with free breakfast or happy hour
- Social Security scams
- 1. Avoid filing your tax return on paper
- 10. Ace Hardware
- Ages 45-54
- Fleet expense management tools
- Appraisal fee
- Pros:
- 3. Index funds
- 3. Loan processing takes over
- Coinbase Wallet: 4.4 out of 5 stars
- Withdrawal restrictions
- Earnings rates
- 5. Offer memberships
- Taxes
- 3. Traditional, in-person financial advisors
- How are my belongings covered?
- 6. Capital One Rewards
- Safeco vs. Liberty Mutual home insurance
- Seat selection
- Property standards
- How it works
- 8. Get a preapproval letter
- Perks await when you fly economy with elite status
- 6. Take advantage where you can
- Member: 0 to 4,999 TQPs
- VA loans
- Pack prepackaged snacks
- Chubb: Best for high-value homes
- 8. Shared accessories and attire
- Weather in the Bahamas
- 2. Use credit card statement credits to offset Frontier seat fees
- How much is Apple TV+?
- 7. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Specialty or alternative funds
- Tax credits for low-to-middle-income households
- Bank certificates of deposit, or CDs
- 17. P.F. Chang’s
- 14. Make products for pets
- 12. Business coaching
- Chubb: Best overall cyber insurance for small businesses
- 1. Automate transfers
- 7. Create a marketing plan
- Set a price alert
- 2. Lack of guaranteed free checked bags on British Airways
- Dividend per share (DPS)
- 15. Saver’s credit
- 3. Sell your castoffs
- New Hampshire
- Prepare yourself for the future as best as you can
- Monitor your credit reports
- Book lodging with a kitchen or mini-fridge
- Seat selection
- 2. 'I’ll buy back in next week when it’s lower.'
- 2. Get direct deposit
- 3. Japan Airlines
- 6. Get a business checking account and credit card
- Health care stock ETFs
- 3. Pick your index funds
- The insurer of last resort: Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
- Discount points
- Cons:
- 13. PR agency
- Check yields, fees and expense ratios
- 2. Call your issuer
- 10. Streaming service
- Step 6: File a Statement of Information
- 10. College consultant
- 6. Sell your wares on Etsy
- How to have more taxes taken out of your paycheck
- AndroMoney
- Earning rates
- 5. Stop solving problems with new products
- 4. Debit card
- Select: 5,000 to 9,999 TQPs
- Purchase discounted Airbnb gift cards
- 4. Zipcar
- Conventional loans
- Airbnb Luxe
- Cheapest auto insurance in Florida for 20-year-olds with one at-fault crash
- 3. Hold the shares inside an IRA, a 401(k) or other tax-advantaged account
- Sharing is caring — and budget-friendly
- Consider tools, education and features
- How quickly could the IRS implement the child tax credit expansion?
- Medicare scams
- Commercial umbrella insurance
- I bond tax benefits
- Private REITs
- 11. Snap-On Tools
- Ages 55-64
- 18. Pinkberry
- 15. Create custom clothing
- 13. College consulting
- Pay with points and miles
- 4. The underwriter makes a decision based on your documentation
- Rebook if you find a cheaper price
- Investment restrictions
- Solar panel incentives by state
- Upgradability
- Options
- Support and resistance
- Dividend yield
- Our pick for: Cell phone and internet bill payments
- Is there enough liability coverage?
- Our pick for: Flat-rate travel rewards
- 16. Health savings account contributions deduction
- Prudence's policy:
- Your next step
- Appendix: How the math works in our examples
- The Amplifier Grant
- Step 5: Register the business
- 6. High-yield savings accounts
- Step 6: Get funding
- 3. Stay on top of things
- Amica
- FHA appraisal
- Part-year resident status rules
- The Hartford: Best for adding coverage to a business owner’s policy
- Farmers vs. State Farm home insurance
- 3. No guaranteed mileage earnings on all airlines
- Citi Prestige® Card
- Pharmacy choice
- Prepared to put down roots?
- Cheap full coverage car insurance for drivers with poor credit
- Best insurance company for accident forgiveness: Geico
- 6. OfferUp
- 7. Citi ThankYou Points
- Safeco vs. Travelers home insurance
- Can you pay estimated taxes at any time?
- Upgradeability
- Step 3: Fill in Form 944 Part 2.
- South Dakota
- Methodology
- Apply for PSLF forgiveness
- Earning rates
- Tax scams
- How much is Peacock?
- 3. 'I’m bored of this stock, so I’m selling.'
- 19. Pizza Hut
- Escrow account funds
- 14. Professional organizing
- Elite status
- 2. Count your coins and bills
- Schedule SE
- An example of selling a call option
- Trust Wallet: 4.3 out of 5 stars
- Tax changes
- 3. Agree only to terms you can afford
- 11. 3D printing
- 11. Online tutor
- Resident status rules
- How to have less taxes taken out of your paycheck
- Pros of a 203(k) loan
- 17. Self-employment expenses deduction
- Chase premium checking accounts
- 4. Set a budget for your stock market investment
- Scenario: Doctor visits and an MRI
- 5. Enter a debt management plan
- 4. Education accounts
- Where to get it
- 9. Choose a real estate agent carefully
- Select Plus: 10,000 to 19,999 TQPs
- 4. Earn badges through Live videos
- 4. Call in a pro
- Capital One
- 12. Pillar to Post Home Inspectors
- 7. Get financing
- Benefits
- 16. Sell vintage clothing online
- 7. Separate your business finances
- Step 7: Comply with tax obligations
- Utility-based clean energy incentives
- 3 disadvantages of sole proprietorship
- The risks and rewards of each
- Cheapest auto insurance for poor credit
- 1Money
- What are the deductibles?
- 6. Sanitize your social feeds
- When to choose a debt consolidation loan
- FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
- Tennessee
- 9. Shared home improvement equipment
- Investment scams
- How much is Prime Video?
- Key person insurance
- So, which one?
- 4. One more thing to know about your tax refund
- 4. Decide where to buy your index funds
- 20. Red Robin
- 14. Tutoring
- Travelers: Best for cyber liability coverage
- 15. Photography
- Be flexible with destination, airport and dates
- After filing
- 7. Self-publish an e-book
- Cons of a 203(k) loan
- 18. Home office deduction
- Allianz Global Assistance
- What happens if I forget to pay my quarterly taxes?
- Corporate bonds
- Where is the best place to exchange currency?
- 5. Use a rewards card to pay for Airbnb
- Cheapest auto insurance in Florida for 20-year-olds after a DUI
- Use credit card deals
- Take advantage of promotions
- Upgradeability
- Past years' state tax rates
- Drawbacks
- Tax credits for investing in retirement
- 17. Begin niche blogging
- Methodology
- Nonresident status rules
- Flood determination and monitoring fees
- 3. Prep for grocery shopping
- 5. Your loan is cleared to close
- Additional taxes
- Farmers vs. Allstate home insurance
- 12. E-commerce
- 1. No liability protection
- How to maximize your rewards
- Dividend payout ratio
- How to use a W-4 to owe nothing on a tax return
- Gap Good Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card
- 8. Bank of America® rewards
- 1. Live in the house for at least two years
- Refinancing
- When to choose a balance transfer credit card
- 10. Narrow down your ideal type of house and neighborhood
- Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program
- Step 4: Fill in Form 944 Part 3.
- Select Executive: 20,000+ TQPs
- VA loans
- Texas
- 7. CDs
- How do you get a perfect credit score?
- SAVE benefits available by October 2023
- 13. Keller Williams
- 21. Starbucks
- 15. Online fitness trainer
- 4. Exchange-traded funds
- MetaMask: 4.0 out of 5 stars
- 12. Translator
- How's your job security?
- 19. Educator expenses deduction
- Bonzah
- How do I find a currency exchange near me?
- Airport lounge access
- Get free airport food
- How much is Sling TV?
- Mortgage insurance
- Three Insurance: Best for comprehensive insurance coverage
- Government recording fees
- 16. Event space
- Freshen up your merchandise
- 3. Precious metals
- Golden crosses and death crosses
- 7. Poshmark
- Scenario: Trip to the ER
- 2. See whether you qualify for an exception
- How can I make paying quarterly taxes easier?
- 5. Build a community
- Conventional loans
- Country Financial: Best for using an agent
- SAVE benefit starting in February 2024
- Directors and officers insurance
- Value per point
- 4. United Airlines
- 22. Wingstop
- 18. Become an e-book writer
- 8. Secure business funding
- Part-year resident status rules
- 20. Solar tax credit
- Rental Cover
- 5. ABLE Accounts
- Where can you exchange currency for free?
- Pros
- Washington
- Property-based passive income ideas
- 10. Vacation rentals
- Auto-Owners
- 14. FastSigns
- 5. Buy index funds
- 16. SEO consulting
- Loan-origination charges
- 17. Interior decorating
- Your goals and time horizon
- 13. Portable charging devices
- Step 8: Don’t forget federal requirements
- 13. Cybersecurity consultant
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Healthy Paws vs. Trupanion
- 2. Harder to get financing and business credit
- 8. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel
- 5. Focus on investing for the long-term
- 3. Keep the receipts for your home improvements
- 7. Make a budget
- 5. Credit card
- Step 5: Fill in Form 944 Part 4.
- 6. Book through an airline portal
- SAVE benefits available by July 2024
- How much is Fubo TV?
- Tax credits for education
- 23. Red Lobster
- 1. Choose a stockbroker
- Take clear photos
- Are you financially prepared?
- Our pick for: Customizable bonus categories
- 21. Energy efficient home improvement tax credit
- Sure
- How it works
- Hotel status
- Cons
- The cabin
- Premium cabin award availability
- Cryptocurrency pros
- 19. Start ghostwriting
- Mortgage insurance or fees for government-backed loans
- 18. Woodworking or furniture building
- 4. Minimize restaurant spending
- Electrum: 2.5 out of 5 stars
- Risk tolerance and diversification
- 1. Decide what type of investor you are.
- Best insurance company for having few customer complaints: American Family
- Compare car insurance rates for drivers with a DUI
- Gifting large sums of money to family
- Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Florida for 30-year-olds
- Step 6: Find and maintain clients
- Wyoming
- 8. Buy a rental property
- 11. Electronics repair
- 15. Merry Maids
- 17. Selling handmade goods
- 9. Decide on your menu
- 4. Collectibles
- 14. Transcriptionist
- Nationwide vs. Allstate home insurance
- Nonresident status rules
- 22. Electric vehicle tax credit
- 11. Stick to your budget
- 2020-2022 earned income credit amounts
- Pay off debt
- 6. Keep an eye on your index funds
- 20. Become a resume writer
- 2. Fund your account
- Write an honest description
- 14. Publishing e-books
- Where to get it
- Step 6: Fill in Form 944 Part 5.
- Transfer partners
- Floods
- Cryptocurrency cons
- 24. American Eagle
- California earned income tax credit (CalEITC)
- Pest inspection
- 19. Graphic design
- 15. Travel planner
- 3. It’s harder to sell your business
- Testing a resistance level
- Cheapest car insurance for young drivers
- 6. Manage your stock portfolio
- Conventional loans
- 7. Message the host
- Paying for vacations, cars or other stuff
- 9. Rent out your own house
- Home purchase: Basic Home Mortgage 203(b)
- 21. Open a coworking space
- 18. Virtual thrift shop
- 5. Get discounts on entertainment
- Healthy Paws vs. Pets Best
- 9. Become an Instagram influencer
- Our pick for: Maximized value
- 8. Find your 'why'
- Step 7: File Form 944 and make a payment to the IRS, if necessary.
- Avoid taking on more debt
- Partner award opportunities
- How to compare life insurance quotes
- Chubb
- 25. Anthropologie
- California young child tax credit (YCTC)
- 10. Obtain bakery equipment
- Prepaid expenses
- 3. Do your research
- 20. Clothing boutique
- Price clothes to sell
- 5. Commodities
- 15. Fitness tech
- Benefits
- Nationwide vs. Geico home insurance
- 1. Has the W-4 form changed?
- MyLowe’s Rewards Credit Card
- Giving a laid-back loan
- Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Florida for 30-year-olds
- 1. Pick which types of I bonds you want to buy
- FHA refinance loans
- 16. Fundraiser
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- FHA loans
- 12. Make the most of walk-throughs and open houses
- 10. Get a roommate
- 12. Academics courses
- Wait to apply
- Life insurance quotes vs. rates
- Tax credits for green purchases
- 26. Banana Republic
- 22. Become an online coach
- 19. Affiliate marketing
- California child and dependent care tax credit
- 4. Buy the stock
- 21. Bed and breakfast
- 6. Map out major purchases
- For credit scores of 690 or higher
- Drawbacks
- Card ecosystem
- Setting up joint bank accounts
- Earthquakes
- 8. Hire staff
- Tax monitoring and research fees
- 6. Real estate
- 16. Online teaching
- 2. What does it mean to be exempt from taxes?
- 2. Choose how much you want to invest.
- How it works
- 6. Mobile via IRS2Go
- NJM: Best small regional insurer
- Alternative investment passive income ideas
- How much are car insurance quotes?
- 27. DSW
- 23. Flip failing websites
- 20. Accounting or bookkeeping
- California adoption cost tax credit
- 11. Price your products
- 22. Food truck
- 17. Medical billing and coding
- 1. What does "sole proprietor" mean?
- 10. Monetize your Twitch channel
- Our pick for: Bank of America® customers
- Step 7: Invest in advertising and expanding
- Wildfires
- 2. Decide how much you want to invest in I bonds
- FHA renovation loans
- Title-related costs
- Ledger: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- 17. Mobile application development
- Healthy Paws vs. Nationwide
- Cheapest auto insurance for senior drivers
- Comparing full coverage car insurance quotes
- Best insurance company for financial strength: Auto-Owners
- Above-the-line deductions
- Where to get it
- Cheapest auto insurance in Florida for 30-year-olds with poor credit
- 13. Language courses
- Hurricanes and tropical storms
- 28. J. Crew Factory
- 24. Become a web developer
- California nonrefundable renters tax credit
- 7. Restrict online shopping
- For any credit score
- 2. Can a sole proprietor have employees?
- NYC tax rate schedule
- 3. Gather your paperwork.
- 13. Don’t skip the home inspections
- 11. Peer-to-peer lending
- Other specialty FHA loans
- 21. Telemarketing
- 23. Restaurant or cafe
- 18. Video producing
- Pros
- Farmers
- 3. Figure out how long to keep your I bonds
- 9. Write your day care contract and policies
- 29. Journeys
- 25. Start a podcast
- 18. Search engine optimization consultant
- 3. Does a sole proprietor need an EIN?
- 3. When should I review my W-4?
- Below-the-line deductions
- 22. Online personal assistant
- 24. Craft brewery
- Trezor: 4 out of 5 stars
- Which factors determine car insurance quotes?
- 30. Madewell
- 26. Be a social media influencer
- 8. Delay purchases with the 30-day rule
- 19. Social media consultant
- 19. Publicist
- American Express® Gold Card
- 4. How do you change from sole proprietor to LLC?
- Dividends and preferred stock
- 11. Sell your photography
- 4. Pick your investments.
- Pros
- 14. Negotiate with the seller
- Compare auto insurance rates for drivers with poor credit
- Credit required
- Cheapest auto insurance in Florida for 30-year-olds with one speeding ticket
- 12. Private equity
- 14. Business or marketing courses
- 23. Data entry
- 12. Set the atmosphere
- Embrace vs. Healthy Paws
- 4. Can I adjust my W-4 multiple times throughout the year?
- Cons
- How it works
- Food and drinks
- 31. Old Navy
- Real estate agent commissions
- 25. Ice cream shop
- TJX Rewards® Platinum Mastercard®
- 7. Same-day wire transfer
- 27. Create online courses
- 24. Transcription
- 9. Get creative with gifts
- SafePal: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- 20. Drone videography
- 20. Customer service representative
- Selling bonds
- Our pick for: Prime gaming
- Our pick for: Paying rent
- Where to get it
- USAA: Best for military and veterans
- 32. Target Circle
- Property and transfer taxes
- 26. Personal chef
- 7. Private equity
- Cons
- 15. Buy adequate home insurance
- Overseas acceptance
- 15. Personal wellness
- Geico
- Sinkholes
- 28. Become a marketing consultant
- 25. Travel planning
- 21. Cybersecurity or IT consulting
- Best insurance company for discounts: Amica
- Cheapest auto insurance in Florida for 30-year-olds with one at-fault crash
- 13. Crypto staking
- Title insurance
- 27. Landscape services
- 21. Pet sitter or dog walker
- Embrace vs. Trupanion
- 10. Lower your car costs
- Alternative investment pros
- Methodology
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card*
- Apple Cash: digital card
- 33. Aveda
- 29. Develop an app
- 26. Cybersecurity and IT consulting
- 28. Pet grooming
- Winner for lowest fees: Spirit
- 22. Venture capitalist
- 22. Arts and crafts master
- 12. Become a dog walker with Rover or Wag
- Your house
- 16. Courses in hobbies or interests
- 34. BareMinerals
- 29. Florist
- 11. Reduce your gas usage
- 23. Accountant
- Your location
- How it works
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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.