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A No-Fee Membership Rewards® Card You’ll Love: Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Holly Johnson August 18, 2017 • 6 Minute Read
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While American Express is well known for their selection of premier travel credit cards, past and present Amex customers seem to have a lot of gripes. For starters, the card issuer’s top tier travel credit cards – the Platinum Card from American Express and the Business Platinum Card from American Express – come with outrageous annual fees of $550 and $595, respectively. Worse, both cards offer an earning tier of just 1 point per $1 spent outside of special bonus categories.
How to Build a Work Wardrobe (When You’re Broke)

Kat Tretina August 17, 2017 • 4 Minute Read
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When I accepted the offer for my first job, I only had about $100 to create an entire work wardrobe. And when I walked into stores, I quickly found that my $100 wouldn’t buy a single dress. I was frustrated and panicking because my start date was just a few days away. Thankfully, I did some research and talked to friends, and got some smart ideas to find cheap work clothes. I was able to start work with many office-worthy outfits that looked great, without overextending my budget.
“Surprise” Credit Card Fees You Should Never, Ever Pay

Holly Johnson August 16, 2017 • 5 Minute Read
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Credit cards offer a slew of benefits that make them valuable for just about anyone. With a credit card in-hand, you can score valuable consumer protections like purchase protection, zero fraud liability, and guaranteed returns. And, let’s not forget about the many rewards programs that help you rack up cash back, gift cards, or free travel.
Plan Now to Earn Travel Rewards For the Holidays

Jason Steele August 14, 2017 • 3 Minute Read
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It’s inevitable. Every fall Americans begin to panic as they realize that they will have to pay a premium to travel over the winter holidays. And it’s even worse for many who want to travel with the points and miles that they’ve earned from their credit cards.But it doesn’t have to be this way. This summer is the perfect time to start earning rewards for your winter travel.
5 Clever Reasons to Refinance Your Mortgage (and 3 Reasons Not to)

Holly Johnson August 11, 2017 • 6 Minute Read
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With interest rates near record lows so long that rising rates seem imminent, it’s smart to at least consider refinancing your home mortgage. A lower interest rate could give you plenty of advantages, after all. While loan outcomes vary, lower interest rates can easily lead to lower monthly mortgage payments and interest savings. Under the right circumstances, you could even shorten the repayment timeline for your loan and pay off your home faster.
How to Get the Best Deal on a New Car

Kat Tretina August 9, 2017 • 4 Minute Read
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If you’re a first-time car buyer, the process can be overwhelming and a little terrifying. The idea of going up against a tough car salesperson can feel like a losing proposition. However, there’s a way that even the shyest people can negotiate and get a great deal. Even better, you’ll be in an out of the dealership in under an hour.
Myth Busted: No, Opening New Credit Cards Won’t Bomb Your Credit Score

Holly Johnson August 8, 2017 • 5 Minute Read
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Credit card signup bonuses are often considered the holy grail of affordable travel. Sign up for a new rewards credit card or travel credit card, hit a minimum spending requirement, and earn a bonus big enough to pay for several hotel nights or a free round-trip flight. If you’re into cash-back instead, you can also parlay your rewards into several hundred dollars in statement credits instead.
6 Reasons Cheap Rural Living May Be a Better Deal Than You Realize

Holly Johnson August 4, 2017 • 5 Minute Read
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Is big-city living all it’s cracked up to be? Or, would you be better off in a quieter, slower-paced rural environment? While this question has been debated for years, there is no “right” or “wrong” answer that suits everyone. The truth is, some people prefer the close-knit quarters of an urban existence while others crave more space.
Your Top 3 Travel Cards for Summertime Fun

CreditSoup Staff July 28, 2017 • 5 Minute Read
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Vacations and summer. They go together like sunscreen and coconut scent, hot dogs and mustard, and tropical drinks and decorative umbrellas. Is it any wonder that people begin to plan trips to warmer climates during the dead of winter? They spend weeks — and even months — obsessing about location, quibbling over price, and delving into web research. A massive amount of planning goes into an annual summer vacation, but people sometimes neglect a key concern: How to make funding your trip simpl