Is AGG a good bond?This is an extremely high-credit-quality portfolio that has 69% of its assets in AAA debt, the highest rating possible. The rest is invested in other levels of investment-grade bonds. That makes AGG one of the best bond ETFs if you're looking for something simple, ...
You can improve your chances of qualifying for a home equity loan by paying down any outstanding balances and lowering your overall debt-to-income ratio before applying. It’s usually not a good idea to use a home equity loan for short-term cash-flow needs or to help resolve everyday ...
First, remember that the amount of credit you have access to is based on the equity you've built in your home. It's essential that homeowners know how much they can borrow when considering a HELOC and whether it's a good fit for your goals. How much can you borrow with a HELOC? A...
Here’s an explanation of how these scores are determined, what’s considered a good or bad one, and some tips on how to establish, improve and maintain good credit. How credit scoring works Many creditors use the popular FICO scoring system, which combines financial data collected from ma...
There's no set credit score limit for a USDA direct loan, but a USDA guaranteed mortgage from a private lender typically requires a score of 620 or better. While most lenders prefer a debt-to-income ratio of no more than 41%, some may approve borrowers with ratios of up to 46%. ...
A charge card can work just as well. You just need to understand the differences between a charge card vs. credit card first, so you know what to expect. FAQs Fewer credit card companies offer charge cards, so you will...
Keeping track of your account balance is critical to managing your finances, from monitoring your credit utilization to minimizing credit card debt. Paper statements can be helpful, but it’s a good idea to utilize your account’s online banking services. Many credit card companies have a mobile...
How good are you at saving, not spending cash?On the flip side of #7 if you find it difficult to save and not touch it, and find that as soon as your money is in your hand it flows through your fingers like sand then buying a house can be viewed as a form of inforced saving ...
To lenders, a low debt-to-income ratio demonstrates a good balance between debt and income. The lower the percentage, the better the chance you will be able to get the loan or line of credit you want. A high debt-to-income ratio signals that you may have too much debt for the income...
For example, if you simply need a way to make your monthly payments more manageable, then consolidating debts into a single loan could make sense. Keep in mind that you’ll need good credit to qualify for the lowest rates onpersonal loansfor debt consolidation. ...