Finance

In the minds of many Americans, debt represents a fiscal risk. When we borrow, we accept the burden of repayment – a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Yet, according to financial experts and economists, the true nature of debt…

Here at Upgraded Points, there’s a ton of emphasis on transferable rewards, also known as flexible rewards points, like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards. While these are incredibly useful for making those international first and business class trips possible,…

One of the most important things to know before opening a credit card or applying for a loan is your credit score. You can check your credit score for free each year from all 3 credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and…

No one enjoys being charged fees to withdraw cash while abroad, and this can sting, particularly when you’re hit with not just a withdrawal fee from the issuing ATM but also your bank. With international ATM withdrawal fees usually around…

Trying to build new credit can be very frustrating. No one will give you credit because you have no credit history, and you can’t build a credit history because no one will give you credit! The same is true of…

Chase is a solid financial institution – and beyond their portfolio of banking products, Chase have some of the best credit cards that certainly rival the competition. But when it comes to banking, you could probably open a checking account…

Chase is a powerhouse in the financial industry. The institution estimates that fully half of the households in the United States do business with their company. It’s no wonder — with nearly 4,900 branches, 16,000 ATMs, and mobile banking, they’re…

We all know how great Chase business credit cards are, but what about their banking services? If you’re in search of a great checking account for your business, see how Chase stacks up. Chase offers a few different checking accounts for…

Chase Private Client is a program offered to select Chase clients who keep a substantial amount of money in Chase investment and banking accounts. It’s sort of like elite status at a bank instead of an airline. Here is what…

Update: Plastiq filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2023. If you choose to continue using Plastiq, you may want to monitor your payments extra closely, or you could consider paying vendors directly until the bankruptcy is resolved. Putting big…

When you think of American Express, I bet the first (and maybe only) thing you think of are their credit cards. But did you know they also offer personal savings accounts? If you are like me, you had no idea…

Making large purchases such as a vehicle or a home will often require you to borrow money. But before a lender or creditor will provide you a loan or credit, they typically want to know just how much risk they’re taking…

Update: Chase Pay has been discontinued and Chase QuickPay is now known as Zelle. Chase Pay and Chase QuickPay sound pretty similar, don’t they? But these are totally separate services offered by Chase that have nothing to do with each…

There were more than 1.4 million identity theft victims in 2020 according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission¹ (also known as the FTC). Over the past few years, the number of identity theft victims has grown significantly, with an increase of…

If you’ve filed for bankruptcy, it’s likely you’ve undergone substantial changes in your financial life. Although bankruptcy is often a last resort, you may feel you have no other options. Even though bankruptcy can be tough, it typically offers a…

Your credit history can be your ticket to qualifying for a mortgage and other types of loans at a great interest rate. But, it can also signal to lenders and creditors that you might pay your bills late, or not…

If you’ve ever applied for a loan, credit card, or other types of credit, you’ve likely been the subject of a credit inquiry. Typically, whenever you’re applying for credit or borrowing funds, the lender or creditor involved will want to…

Because your credit score can have a big impact on the interest rate you’re offered on loans and credit cards — as well as whether you’ll even qualify — it’s important to keep tabs on this figure regularly. Unfortunately, though,…

Because your credit report and your credit score are such important components in qualifying for loans and credit — and determining the interest rate you may be offered when borrowing — it can be beneficial to understand where your information…

Your credit report and credit score contain key information used by lenders, creditors, and other entities (such as utility companies and potential employers) in choosing whether to move forward with you in a wide range of transactions. This information is…

Your credit score plays a big role in your overall financial life, and it’s important to keep it as high as possible — especially if you’re planning to apply for a home loan or other type of credit in the…