If You’re 50 or Older, You Can’t Afford to Make These Mistakes (Plus Tips to Save For the Future)

We may receive compensation when you use the links provided. It’s how we’re able to provide free editorial content for you and other readers. Our opinions are always our own and we hope you enjoy our article.

If you’re in your 50s, chances are you’ve made your share of mistakes in your lifetime. These experiences can help you learn and better prepare for the future. But as retirement and other big milestone events draw near, there are some mistakes that you simply cannot afford! Here are some tips to save up for the future and avoid critical financial mistakes.

1. Don’t Leave Your Finances Up to Chance

Consult with a top-rated financial advisor to come up with a financial plan!

In today’s world, we rely on the knowledge of others to better our own lives. From avoiding products that have 1-star reviews to looking up cooking tutorials and recipes, we turn to expert knowledge and experience for guidance. Why, then, do so many people do their own finances with minimal research or outside help? Or worse – ignore their financial futures completely?

Many Americans wrongly assume that financial advisors are expensive and charge fees for services that people can just do themselves. However, most financial advisors are much more affordable than people think, and provide suggestions and resources that can be worth more than their actual fee.

To help everyday consumers find financial advisors, we’ve vetted top advisors from all over the country and engineered a free quiz to match consumers with advisors based on pricing, specialties, and more! After answering some easy questions about your current financial situation, you’ll be matched with financial advisors that have been pre-screened to fulfill your needs. You’ll then have the ability to compare your matches and even contact them for a free evaluation, giving you the ability to choose the advisor that works best for you!

Don’t wait – compare financial advisors today and take better care of your finances!

2. Don’t Leave Your Family With Nothing

Instead, protect them by leaving them with up to $5 Million Dollars!

As the saying goes – hope for the best, prepare for the worst. What would happen to your family if something happened to you? Could your family survive without your income, or would they be left struggling with finances in the midst of dealing with grief and loss?

It’s one of those things that we hope never happens, but if the worst did happen, it’s important that your family is protected. That’s where life insurance can help. With Fabric Life Insurance, you can get covered for anywhere from $100,000 up to $5,00,000, with term lengths that last from 10 to 30 years. These plans can be as low as $7.86 per month – and the peace of mind that comes with it is well worth it.

Waiting to get life insurance isn’t typically a good plan – the cost for life insurance increases the older you get, and you never know what tomorrow will bring. Why risk it? You can take a quiz to see if life insurance is right for you and start learning more now!

3. Don’t Miss Out on Mortgage Savings

Compare rates now to see if you could save hundreds or thousands by refinancing!

If you got your mortgage when rates were higher, you could be losing out on savings by not refinancing!

Refinancing to a lower interest rate or reducing your term can help you save money each month and even pay off your loan faster. This could mean hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars in your pocket over the life of your mortgage.

If you’re considering refinancing, start shopping for mortgage rates today and see what you qualify for. Be sure to compare lenders in order to find the rate that works best for you. There’s no obligation, and comparing rates is free and easy! Start searching now!

4. Don’t Break Your Budget Online Shopping

Download this free browser extension to be automatically notified of better prices!

Shopping online is easy and convenient, but it often leaves you wondering whether or not you’re getting the best price.

Thankfully, this service helps stop you from overpaying online! It automatically searches other websites for the items you’re shopping for, and alerts you if it finds a better price somewhere else. It even accounts for shipping fees and delivery times! You can also use it to find coupon codes, view price history, and get price-drop alerts if you want to wait until the item is cheaper to purchase.

The best part? It’s completely free! All you have to do is download it on your browser and continue online shopping as you normally would. If you get a price comparison alert, you can view the item on the other website and decide whether or not you want to save!

Why wait? Stop overpaying while shopping online now!

5. Don’t Accept Costly Auto Insurance

Search for better car insurance now and start saving!

How long have you had your current auto insurance?

While some auto insurance companies offer discounts for loyalty, many others will keep you paying the same rate or even raise your premiums if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s always smart to compare your current policy to new offers, to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Even if you don’t have any auto insurance yet but are in the market for auto insurance, comparing today’s offers could help you find a plan that offers great coverage for a low cost.

Click here to start comparing auto insurance companies now!

These Companies Can Help You Save – Just Ask!

We may receive compensation when you use the links provided.

Bargain hunting can be time-consuming, confusing, and sometimes down-right frustrating! Wouldn’t it be easier if companies came to you, offering low prices and great deals? Here’s a secret – they will, if you just ask! Banks, insurance companies, and more all want your business, and with a few easy steps, you can get them to show you amazing deals! Keep on reading to learn how.

This Company Can Help Pay Your Credit Card Bill

Not just part of your bill. Your entire bill!

Credit card debt is one of the most expensive types of debts there is! That means that while you’re struggling to pay, your credit card company is getting rich. But with Fiona, you could pay your bill as fast as the next day!

Fiona works by matching you with a low-interest personal loan that you can use to pay off credit card debt and pay your credit card bills. This leaves you with just one bill to pay instead of multiple, and with a lower interest rate, you can pay off your debt sooner and save money!

With rates as low as 5.99%, a fast and easy online application, and over 100 providers, Fiona could help you save on your credit card bills asap!

Stop Overspending with this Free Money-Saving Tool

Online shopping just got a whole lot better thanks to this new way to find instant savings!

If you’re feeling the strain of inflation and increased prices (and let’s be honest – who isn’t feeling that strain?), then you’ll be happy to hear that insider experts have developed a tool to instantly compare prices and get the best available deal! Major retailers will need to match these prices in order to keep customers.

And the best part? This tool is completely free and available for everyone to use!

To start getting the best available prices, all you need to do is shop as you normally would after installing Capital One Shopping onto your browser. This free extension will search other websites as you shop, and notify you if it finds better prices. It’ll show you the exact same product you’re searching for, but with a better price! And if no better price can be found, it will let you know you already have the best available deal.

Capital One Shopping has saved its customers millions of dollars, and it only takes a few seconds to install. Try it out, and if you don’t like it, you can easily uninstall the extension. It’s completely free, so there’s no reason to wait.

Save On Your Car Insurance

How long have you had your current auto insurance?

While some auto insurance companies offer discounts for loyalty, many others will keep you paying the same rate or even raise your premiums if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s always smart to compare your current policy to new offers, to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Even if you don’t have any auto insurance yet but are in the market for auto insurance, comparing today’s offers could help you find a plan that offers great coverage for a low cost. Click here to start comparing auto insurance companies now!

Let Your Money Work For You with a High Yield Savings Account

Are you keeping your money in a savings account that earns just a few cents a year (or maybe a dollar, if you’re really lucky?) Or maybe you have a checking account that doesn’t earn any interest at all?

You can do better!

High yield savings accounts are a risk-free way to grow your money, and many have other perks, such as no monthly maintenance fees, sign up bonuses, and more! Click here to start comparing bank accounts and find one that’s right for you!

Get Cash Each Month Without a Monthly Mortgage Payment

If you’re 62 or older, you can utilize a Reverse Mortgage to help finance your retirement!

With a reverse mortgage, you can borrow from the equity in your home and use the funds however you wish.

If you’ve paid off all or most of your mortgage, then you could be sitting on a gold mine of equity. A reverse mortgage allows you to access that equity in either a lump sum, fixed payment amount, or a line of credit.

Even better, there’s no monthly payment to the lender required, and the loan only has to be repaid when the last borrower sells the house, moves out, or dies.

Planning to utilize a reverse mortgage can help add additional cash to fund your retirement. You can click here to see if a reverse mortgage is right for you!

Try This Money-Saving Trick Before You Renew Amazon Prime

We may receive compensation when you use the links provided.

Online shopping just got a whole lot better thanks to this new way to find instant savings!

If you’re feeling the strain of inflation and increased prices (and let’s be honest – who isn’t feeling that strain?), then you’ll be happy to hear that insider experts have developed a tool to instantly compare prices and get the best available deal! Major retailers will need to match these prices in order to keep customers.

And the best part? This tool is completely free and available for everyone to use!

Keep on reading to see if you can save money while online shopping!

Found 03/10/2023. Sample results shown. Savings may vary.

To start getting the best available prices, all you need to do is shop as you normally would after installing Capital One Shopping onto your browser. This free extension will search other websites as you shop, and notify you if it finds better prices. It’ll show you the exact same product you’re searching for, but with a better price! And if no better price can be found, it will let you know you already have the best available deal.

Capital One Shopping has saved its customers millions of dollars, and it only takes a few seconds to install. Try it out, and if you don’t like it, you can easily uninstall the extension. It’s completely free, so there’s no reason to wait!

The Top Five Metal Credit Cards

Advertising Disclosure

When considering what credit card to get, you normally don’t think of the material it’s made of. After all, credit cards work much the same whether they’re made from plastic or metal. But metal credit cards are sturdier and more durable than plastic, in addition to having a nice weight and sleek feel. They’re also less common than plastic cards, which makes them a flashy addition to any wallet. If you’re in the market for a new credit card and want something different than normal, check out our favorite metal credit cards below! We’ve highlighted the weight of each card as well as all their great features. (For reference, a normal plastic credit card weighs about 5 grams).

The Platinum Card® from American Express

  •  Weight: 17 grams
  • Annual Fee: $695
  •  Intro Offer: 80,000 points if you spend $6,000 within the first 6 months after account opening
  •  Rewards: 5x points on flights booked through an airline or on American Express Travel for up to $500,000 per calendar year; 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express is a luxury metal card that offers impressive perks such as luxury lounge access, Hilton Honors gold status (enrollment is required), no foreign transaction fees, and five times the rewards points earned on flights booked either through an airline or on American Express Travel for up to $500,000 per calendar year! In addition, you can earn five times the rewards points on prepaid hotels that have been booked through American Express Travel. This card currently has an intro offer that allows you to earn 80,000 points if you spend at least $6,000 within the first six months after opening your account, which has a value of approximately $800 when booking through American Express Travel (one rewards point is worth around one cent). Because this is a luxury card, it has a more expensive annual fee: $695. However, it does have an attractive intro offer, and does allow more time to meet the earning requirement than most other cards. Terms apply.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

  • Weight: 13 grams
  • Annual Fee: $550
  •  Intro Offer: 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 within the first 3 months after account opening
  • Rewards: 10x points on car rentals and hotels booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 5x points on flights booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3x points on dining and other travel; 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Not many cards allow you to earn 10x rewards points, but with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card, you can earn 10x points on car rentals and hotels booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®! This impressive metal card also allows you to earn 5x points on flights booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x points on dining and other travel, and 1x point per one dollar spent on all other purchases! The annual fee is pretty steep – $550 – but the intro offer on this card can more than make up for it. You can earn 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months after account opening, which has a value of $900 toward travel if you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®! Other perks that this card has include airport lounge access, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage insurance, and more!

Learn More

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

  • Weight: 16 grams
  • Annual Fee: $95
  •  Intro Offer: 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening
  • Rewards: 5x miles on Rental Cars and Hotels booked through Capital One Travel; 2x miles on Everyday Purchases

For frequent travelers who like earning and using miles, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers the ability to earn five times the miles on rental cars and hotels that are booked through Capital One Travel! You can also earn two times the miles on everyday purchases. In addition, as a sign-on bonus, you can earn 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening up your card account. Because miles don’t expire for the life of your account and there’s no limit to the amount of miles you can earn, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great way to rack up rewards and use them for future traveling! This card has an annual fee of $95 and is only available for those with good or excellent credit, but if you have a great credit score and are looking for a metal credit card, this could be the one for you!

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

  • Weight: 13 grams
  • Annual Fee: $95
  • Intro Offer: 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 during the first three months after account opening
  • Rewards: 5x points on travel when you book through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3x points on dining; 2x points on select other purchases.

For occasional travelers and frequent travelers alike, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers rewards for travel, dining, and select other purchases! In fact, you can earn five times the rewards on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, three times the rewards on dining, and two times the rewards on select other purchases. What really makes this metal card stand out is their intro offer: earn 60,000 bonus points that you can earn when you spend $4,000 during the first three months after your account is opened. If you redeem your rewards through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, that’s a value of $750! Plus with Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more, you can rest easy when you travel. The rewards system can take a bit of effort to master, but for the benefits you get, it’s well worth it!

Learn More

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

  • Weight: 18 grams
  • Annual Fee: $395
  • Intro Offer: 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months after opening your account
  • Rewards: Unlimited 10x miles on car rentals and hotels booked through Capital One Travel; 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel; Unlimited 2x miles on all other purchases.

For frequent travelers with excellent credit, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers significant opportunities to earn rewards. It has a rather large annual fee – $395 – but this can be offset if you use this sleek metal card wisely. The best way to take advantage of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is by using it to book rental cars and hotels through Capital One Travel, which will allow you to earn unlimited 10x miles. You can also earn 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, as well as an unlimited 2x miles on all other purchases. In addition, you can receive credits such as up to a $100 credit on a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application, and you will get 10,000 bonus miles every year on the anniversary of your account opening (which is worth $100 towards travel). The card also has an intro bonus of 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening, which is worth $750 in travel and definitely helps with the cost of the annual fee! If you have excellent credit and are looking for a luxury travel card with great benefits, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card!

Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content on this page is accurate as of 3/30/2023; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

This Card is a Slam Dunk If You Want to Rebuild Your Credit

Advertising Disclosure

The Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card is a no-brainer for those who want to improve their credit score!

Benefit Summary:

  • Check if you qualify without lowering your credit score and get an instant decision on your credit application.
  • No security deposit is required, and it has an annual fee of only $0 to $59, which makes this card very affordable.
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as soon as 7 months after account opening as long as your account is in good standing.
  • Free, online access to your credit score and to educational information and resources.
  • Recommended credit score is Bad to Fair (300 to 670).

If your credit score is less than perfect, it can be hard to get approved for the credit you need. Many cards for lower credit scores require huge security deposits or have a big annual fee. But not the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card! This card doesn’t require any security deposit, and its annual fee ranges from $0 to $59. Plus, by paying your full balance on time every month, you won’t have to pay interest on your purchases and you can help rebuild your credit score! And with an instant credit decision, the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card is the perfect tool for your credit rebuilding journey!

Why We Like This Card

The Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card was specifically designed for those with a lower credit score. That means its recommended credit range is 300 to 670. This range is considered “Poor,” “Bad,” or “Fair.” Having a lower credit score can make it harder to be approved for credit, and often means you will have a lower credit limit or a higher APR. But if you use your Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card responsibly by paying your balance on time and in full every month, you can be considered for a higher credit limit in as little as seven months! And making on time full payments also has the benefit of rebuilding your credit score.

Learn More about the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card

When you open a Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card account, you also get free online access to your credit score! This is useful to help monitor your score, and you can see the benefit of being financially responsible when your score increases. It may take a few months to get your credit back on track, but having a higher credit score is definitely worth it. In addition, you can get free access to educational information and other resources about improving your credit.

It takes less than a minute to see if you qualify for a Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card, and checking to see if you qualify only requires a soft credit pull, which won’t impact your score. If you qualify and want to apply for the card, you can get your credit decision instantly! No security deposit is required, which means the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card is both affordable and very fast to get. Start rebuilding your credit today!

Recommended Credit Score

The recommended credit score for the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card is Bad to Fair. This is typically in the 300 to 670 range. Having a better credit score can allow you to apply for cards with better features, such as lower APRs, rewards, and other perks. The Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card doesn’t have any intro offers or credit card rewards, but it does allow you to work towards improving your score if you make payments in full and on time each month. Other ways that you can help improve your credit score include not maxing out your credit accounts and monitoring your credit for errors or fraudulent activity.

Quick Review

With an instant credit decision and no security deposit required, the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card outshines most other cards for bad credit! Recommended for those with a score between 300 and 670, this card can help rebuild credit as long as you pay your balance on time and in full every month. In addition, you can view your credit score anytime online for free, and get access to other educational tools and resources on rebuilding credit.

Other Cards for Bad Credit

Want to consider your options? Here are some other great cards for bad credit! These cards don’t require an excellent credit score and can be used to rebuild credit as long as they’re used responsibly.

Self – Credit Builder Account + Secured Visa® Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: $25
  • Security Deposit: None, but you must have at least $100 in a Self Certificate of Deposit Savings Account
  • Recommended Credit Score: No credit history required

The Self – Credit Builder Account + Secured Visa® Credit Card is a hybrid financial product that combines a credit builder loan with a secured credit card. This unique model is perfect for those with bad credit, or those who don’t have any credit history. Start out by making monthly payments into your credit builder loan (the payments are deposited into a Self Certificate of Deposit (CD) savings account). By making regular payments on time, you’re not only building up savings, but also building your credit history. Once you’ve made at least three on-time monthly payments, have at least $100 in your Self CD account, and have your account in good standing, you become eligible for the Self Visa Credit Card without an additional security deposit or a hard credit check. (The savings in your CD that you’ve made monthly payments towards counts as your security deposit.) This is great for those who have little to no credit history, have bad credit, or who don’t want a hard credit check (which can lower your credit score). On the downside, you won’t be eligible for the Self Visa Credit Card for at least three months – if you need a credit card sooner than that, you might want to choose a different card.

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Security Deposit: $49 to $200
  • Recommended Credit Score: No credit history required.

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card allows you to put down a security deposit of only $49, which will get you an initial $200 credit line. You can also put down more of a security deposit to get a higher credit limit, with the highest credit line being $1,000. A $49 security deposit is very reasonable, and because this card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no penalty APR if you make a late payment, it’s considered very affordable. Plus, if you demonstrate financial responsibility, make payments on time, and your account is in good standing, you can be considered for a higher line of credit in as soon as six months! Capital One also has other perks, including $0 Fraud Liability (which means you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges), free monitoring of your credit score through CreditWise, and access to your account anytime, anywhere with online banking through your desktop or smart phone! If you’re looking for an affordable secured credit card, consider the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card.

Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content on this page is accurate as of 3/23/2023; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

American Homeowners are Saving Money Thanks to This Insurance Service

You’re going to want to read this before you pay your next home insurance bill.

This new insurance service can save you money, yet most homeowners don’t know about it!

You might qualify for savings if you:

  • Currently have home insurance, and
  • Live in an eligible zip code.

Most homeowners can get a better rate for insurance with this service! If you’ve been at your current house for more than 5 years, you could qualify for an even better discounted rate.

Your Insurance Company Doesn’t Want You to Know This

Many homeowners continue to pay their insurance bill without checking that they’re actually getting the best deal. Your insurance company wants you to keep paying them money, so they won’t tell you that you can save by comparing quotes.

In just a few minutes, you can search for and compare the top home insurance quotes available! The savings could be significantly different to what you’re currently paying.

That’s because this service connects homeowners with vetted insurance companies that are competing for your business! They fight to offer great coverage at low rates, allowing you to start saving!

This Is Worth the Effort

It may feel easier to just keep paying your home insurance as normal. But the truth is, by letting insurance companies compete for your business, you can get the same programs for a discounted rate!

And honestly? Comparing insurance rates has never been easier! Answer a few questions about your property and your current insurance plan and start seeing how much you could save!

With no obligation and the ability to compare multiple rates, this service is our top insurance find for 2023!

Pro Tip: If you’ve paid your home insurance bill already, there are still ways to cancel it and be refunded. You are not locked into your current policy and can still benefit from comparing rates!

It’s This Simple

Step One: Select Your Age Below.

Step Two: Answer the questions about your property and current policy. Then you’ll be able to see competing offers from insurance companies and start comparing quotes!

We may receive compensation when you use the links provided.

We Think This Card Can’t Be Beat for 2% Cash Back + $200 Cash Bonus

Advertising Disclosure

Learn More about RateZip’s Top Rewards Cards

With unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases for a $0 annual fee, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card practically pays you to shop!

Benefit Summary:

  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases – with no categories to keep track of or limits to cap your rewards! Plus cash rewards don’t expire for the life of your account.
  • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus if you spend $500 on purchases during the first 3 months after account opening.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • 0% Intro APR for purchases and qualifying balance transfers for the first 15 months after account opening, then reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR thereafter. Balance transfers must be made within the first 120 days to qualify for the intro rate and have a fee of 3% of the balance transfer (minimum $5). After the first 120 days, the fee is 5% of the balance transfer (minimum $5).
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against theft or damage if you pay your monthly phone bill using your Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card ($25 deductible).

Credit card rewards can be an easy way to get some cash back when you use your card for purchases. From paying for items to getting gift cards to actually getting money back in your account, there are multiple ways that rewards points can be valuable. However, not every card has a rewards system, and many that do have multiple rules or limits for rewards, such as caps that stop you from earning more than a certain amount or specific categories that you have to purchase in order to earn rewards. That’s why we like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card! With the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, you can earn an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases – no rewards limit, and no categories to keep track of! Earn cash rewards every time you use your card for purchases, then redeem for purchases, cash, or gift cards!

Why We Like This Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card allows you to earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. That means that for every $100 you spend, you earn $2 in cash rewards! Cash rewards never expire as long as your account remains open, which means that you can rack up cash rewards and redeem them whenever you want. Some of the ways you can redeem your cash rewards include eligible purchases, a credit on your account, cash redemption at ATMs, or gift cards. With all the ways to benefit from cash rewards, it makes sense why Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a top contender in the credit card market!

In addition to unlimited 2% cash rewards, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card also allows you to earn a $200 cash bonus if you spend at least $500 within the first three months of account opening. That’s $200 that you can count towards a credit on your account, gift cards, or even a cash redemption! With this intro bonus plus 2% cash rewards on purchases, you can shop happily knowing that you’re earning cash rewards!

Finally, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has a 0% Intro APR period for purchases and qualifying balance transfers for the first 15 months after account opening! Then reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR thereafter. This is great if you want to pay down credit card debt, or if you’re planning on making some large purchases, as you won’t have to pay any interest for over a year! Taking advantage of a 0% Intro APR period can definitely save you money as you pay off your debt without any interest expense. For balance transfers, it’s important to note that balance transfers must be made within the first 120 days to qualify for the intro rate and have a fee of 3% of the balance transfer (minimum $5). After the first 120 days, the fee is 5% of the balance transfer (minimum $5).

Recommended Credit Score

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has tons of rewards and perks available, making it an excellent credit card choice for anyone with Good to Excellent Credit. This is typically in the 670 to 850 range. Having a better credit score allows you to apply for cards that have better features, lower APRs, and more perks. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is no exception. If your credit score is less than 670, consider other ways to improve your score before applying for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. This includes making payments on time, not maxing out your credit accounts, and monitoring your credit for errors or fraudulent activity.

Quick Review

With unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a superstar in the credit card rewards category! Not only does this card have no rewards categories to keep track of or limits to cap your earning ability, but cash rewards never expire for as long as your account is open! In addition, it has a 0% intro APR period for both purchases and balance transfers, plus other perks such as up to $600 of cellphone protection if you use your card to pay your monthly phone bill.

Other Great Rewards Cards

Want to learn more about credit card rewards? Here are some other great credit card options!

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

  • Annual Fee: $95
  • Intro Offer: 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 during the first three months after account opening
  • Rewards: 5x points on travel when you book through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3x points on dining; 2x points on select other purchases.
  • Other Perks: Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, and Lost Luggage Insurance.

For occasional travelers and frequent travelers alike, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers rewards for travel, dining, and select other purchases! In fact, you can earn five times the rewards on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, three times the rewards on dining, and two times the rewards on select other purchases. What really makes this card stand out is their intro offer: earn 60,000 bonus points that you can earn when you spend $4,000 during the first three months after your account is opened. If you redeem your rewards through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, that’s a value of $750! Plus with Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance, No Foreign Transaction Fees and more, you can rest easy when you travel. The rewards system can take a bit of effort to master, but for the benefits you get, it’s well worth it!

Citi Rewards+® Card

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Intro Offer: 25,000 points when you spend $1,500 during the first three months after account opening; For a limited time through June 30, 2024, earn 5 ThankYou® Points for $1 spent on car rentals, hotels, and attractions (excluding air travel) when you book through the Citi Travel℠ Portal
  • Rewards: 2x ThankYou® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for up to $6,000 annually, then 1x after the cap has been met; 1x ThankYou® Points on other eligible purchases.
  • Other Perks: Recieve 10% of your points back after you redeem for as much as 100,000 points per year. Every purchase is rounded up to the nearest 10 points.

The Citi Rewards+® Card has an intro offer of 25,000 ThankYou® Points if you spend $1,500 during the first three months after account opening, which is redeemable for $250 in gift cards on ThankYou.com. However, the star feature of this card is its annual bonus for redeeming rewards, which lets you receive 10% of your points back after you redeem, for as much as 100,000 points per year! That means you have chances to earn not only when you first get this card, but annually as you earn and redeem ThankYou® Points. And because every purchase is rounded up to the nearest 10 points, you can earn even more! This card has a $0 annual fee, but on the downside, the 2x ThankYou® Points on Supermarket and Gas Station purchases is limited to the first $6,000 each year, after which it drops down to 1x.

Learn More about RateZip’s Top Rewards Cards

Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content on this page is accurate as of 3/20/2023; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

Bad Credit? These Credit Cards are For You

Advertising Disclosure

If your credit score is less than perfect, it can be hard to be approved for the credit that you need. That’s why we’ve reviewed the best cards for bad credit and included our favorite cards below! These cards are designed to help you rebuild your credit score and provide a credit account even if your credit score is below average. Keep on reading to learn more about the top cards for bad credit.

Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: $0 to $59
  • Security Deposit: None
  • Recommended Credit Score: Bad to Fair (300 to 670)
  • Other Perks: Free online access to your credit score. Ability to be considered for more credit in as little as 7 months.

With the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card, you can check if you qualify without lowering your credit score and get an instant decision on your application! And because this card doesn’t require any security deposit, it can be much more affordable than other subprime cards. Its annual fee ranges from $0 to $59, and you won’t have to pay interest on purchases as long as you pay your bill on time and in full every month. Making regular, full payments on your card account can also help to improve your credit score! And if you’re in good standing with your credit, you can be considered for a higher credit line in as little as seven months after account opening! Other useful tools with the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card include free online access to your credit score and free online information and resources on improving your credit. The Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card doesn’t offer any rewards or intro bonuses, but for people with bad credit, it can be a great stepping stool on the credit-rebuilding journey!

Self – Credit Builder Account with Secured Visa® Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: $25
  • Security Deposit: None, but you must have at least $100 in a Self Certificate of Deposit Savings Account
  • Recommended Credit Score: No credit history required
  • Other Perks: Credit Builder Account that reports on-time payments to help improve your credit score.

The Self – Credit Builder Account with Secured Visa® Credit Card is a hybrid financial product that combines a credit builder loan with a secured credit card. This unique model is perfect for those with bad credit, or those who don’t have any credit history. Start out by making monthly payments into your credit builder loan (the payments are deposited into a Self Certificate of Deposit (CD) savings account). By making regular payments on time, you’re not only building up savings, but also building your credit history. Once you’ve made at least three on-time monthly payments, have at least $100 in your Self CD account, and have your account in good standing, you become eligible for the Self Visa Credit Card without an additional security deposit or a hard credit check. (The savings in your CD that you’ve made monthly payments towards counts as your security deposit.) This is great for those who have little to no credit history, have bad credit, or who don’t want a hard credit check (which can lower your credit score). On the downside, you won’t be eligible for the Self Visa Credit Card for at least three months – if you need a credit card sooner than that, you might want to choose a different card.

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Security Deposit: $49 to $200
  • Recommended Credit Score: No credit history required
  • Other Perks: No foreign transaction fees. No penalty APR. Ability to be considered for more credit in as little as 6 months.

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card allows you to put down a security deposit of only $49, which will get you an initial $200 credit line. You can also put down more of a security deposit to get a higher credit limit, with the highest credit line being $1,000. A $49 security deposit is very reasonable, and because this card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no penalty APR if you make a late payment, it’s considered very affordable. Plus, if you demonstrate financial responsibility, make payments on time, and your account is in good standing, you can be considered for a higher line of credit in as soon as six months! Capital One also has other perks, including $0 Fraud Liability (which means you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges), free monitoring of your credit score through CreditWise, and access to your account anytime, anywhere with online banking through your desktop or smart phone! If you’re looking for an affordable secured credit card, consider the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card.

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Security Deposit: $200
  • Recommended Credit Score: No credit history required
  • Other Perks: Unlimited 5% cash back on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel. Terms Apply. Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Most secured credit cards won’t have any type of rewards points, but the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card allows you to earn unlimited 5% cash back on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), plus unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases! The ability to earn cash back with bad credit or no credit history is truly unique. The security deposit for this card is on the higher side – $200 for an initial $200 credit line – but the cost is offset by no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees! Plus, the $200 security deposit is refundable, and you have the chance to earn it back as statement credit if you use your card responsibly (such as paying on time). Finally, this card comes with other perks, such as up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits (through 11/14/2024), free credit score monitoring with CreditWise, and the ability to be considered for a higher credit line in as soon as 6 months with no additional security deposit required. If you want to build your credit score and earn cash back, this card could be for you.

GO2bank ™ Secured Visa ® Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Security Deposit: Starting at $100
  • Recommended Credit Score: No credit history required
  • Other Perks: Ability to increase your credit limit by increasing your security deposit.

The GO2bank ™ Secured Visa ® Credit Card gives you the ability to set your own credit limit based upon the security deposit you transfer to it. A minimum $100 security deposit is required and will allow you to access a $100 credit line, but you can increase your security deposit for more credit. In order to transfer the security deposit, you must also set up a GO2bank account. This card doesn’t offer any rewards, but it does allow you to increase your credit limit at any time by adding more of a security deposit, plus it doesn’t require any annual fee. Other cards don’t require you to set up a bank account, which can make them easier to sign up for, but if you’re looking for a secured credit card with no annual fee and a low security deposit, the GO2bank ™ Secured Visa ® Credit Card could be for you.

Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content on this page is accurate as of 3/16/2023; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

Act Now to Protect Your Savings From Bank Failures

The recent failures of Signature Bank and Silicon Valley Bank have left many individuals scrambling to check if their funds are secure. These failures were the second and third largest bank failures in US history, following the failure of Washington Mutual during the financial crisis of 2008. But why did these banks fail, and what happens to the money that was deposited in them? And just how much of your money is “safe” in your own bank account?

What Causes Banks to Fail?

Fans of the 1940s film It’s a Wonderful Life will remember the scene when all of the customers at the bank try and withdraw their funds at the same time. This is known as a “run on the bank,” and can cause the bank to fail if it cannot meet all the withdrawal requests of its customers, forcing it to begin selling its own assets. That is exactly what happened to Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was best known as the premier bank for technological startups, providing banking services to very high net worth companies and individuals. However, the past year has been financially difficult for the technological industry, requiring most of SVB’s customers to withdraw more and more funds in order to meet expenses such as payroll, product development, and other office costs. In order to meet that demand, SVB had to sell billions of dollars’ worth of investments that had lost value due to the Federal Reserve’s plan to increase interest rates. The combination of selling these investments at a loss while meeting its customers’ withdrawal requests caused regulators to seize SVB’s assets and the bank to fail on Friday, March 10, 2023. Just two days later, Signature Bank also failed after another run on the bank where customers withdrew over $10 billion in deposits, prompted by fear over SVB’s failure.

So what happens now for SVB’s and Signature’s customers?

Scrambling for Savings

The failures of SVB and Signature are devastating blows for their customers, many of which had much more than $250,000 deposited into their accounts. This is important because the FDIC only insures accounts for up to $250,000, and anything over that is considered uninsured. For example, digital media tech company Roku, Inc. had approximately $487 million deposited in SVB – an amount significantly higher than the insured limit! So what happens to all that money – is it simply lost?

Ordinarily, any uninsured amount wouldn’t be able to be recovered. However, in the case of Signature and SVB’s customers, the Federal Reserve has initiated a “bridge” bank to allow customers to continue to access their accounts, and any amount over the uninsured limit will likely be released so customers can access it. This is an attempt to lessen the effect of the bank failures and prevent a larger systematic risk.

Is Your Money Safe?

With two large banks failing so quickly and in rapid succession, many are wondering if even more banks will fail, and whether or not their money is safe.

Industry experts do not think the failures will spread, as SVB and Signature both were unique cases in that they were highly exclusive in the industries they served. Most other banks are diversified and don’t rely heavily on specific industries.

That being said, the FDIC insurance limit applies to everyone, and if you have more than that in your bank account, the excess amount is considered uninsured. This is a risk, and it may be a wise idea to take steps and ensure you have insurance for all of your funds.

Banking on Success

If you currently work with just one bank, you’re putting all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Your funds may be insured for up to the FDIC limit, but what happens if you wake up one morning and find out that your bank failed? What are you going to do until you can actually access your money?

Working with a second FDIC-insured bank not only helps to insure more of your wealth, but also gives you a way to access funds immedietly in the event that your primary bank fails.

There can also be other benefits to banking with multiple banks, such as taking advantage of promotions, special interest rates, and rewards. We suggest having at least one account with a national bank and one account with a local or regional bank. National banks often can provide a greater range of services, while local banks are more connected to their communities. Both can offer great incentives for banking with them.

To get started comparing bank accounts, start browsing banks in your area.

Protect Your Wealth

There are a few key steps you can take to protect your money and ensure it’s insured. The easiest method is to work with at least two FDIC insured banks and split your funds between them. Finding another FDIC insured bank and opening an account them will allow you to have the funds in both banks insured, providing that both amounts are less than $250,000. Having accounts with multiple banks will also allow you to access at least some of your funds immedietly in the event of a bank failure, without you having to wait for regulators to remediate the situation.

Another potential option is to add a joint owner to your account, as joint accounts can be insured for a higher limit. Of course, this option only works if it makes sense for other reasons to add a joint owner, such as a spouse or a business partner.

Finally, many banks are a part of the IntraFi Deposits Network, which stores funds in excess of the FDIC limit with other banks that are a part of the same network, providing access to millions of FDIC insurance. This way, the entirety of your funds within the network are insured, but you only have to deal with one bank. You only get statements from one bank, and you get the interest rates and perks of working with that bank.

So which choice is right for you? Here are some ways for you to research your options.

Find Banking Options that are Right for You

Here are some ways to research how to protect your wealth:

1. Consult a Financial Advisor. Financial advisors can give you insight on how to invest, budget, and save wisely. They can also advise you on how to store your funds so that they are secure. Most financial advisors are more affordable than people think, and can provide suggestions and resources that can be worth more than their actual fee. You can compare vetted financial advisors here and contact your top choices for a free evaluation!

2. Compare Bank Accounts. If you currently only work with one bank, you should consider getting a second FDIC insured bank account. Keeping all of your funds with any one bank account could mean that some of your wealth will not be insured, and may make it more difficult to access your funds in the event of a bank failure. With RateZip, you can easily compare savings accounts and find one that’s right for you! CDs are another great option if you’re looking for a higher APY.

3. Speak with Your Bank. If you’re worried about your funds, want more information about FDIC insurance, or need more details about the security of your account, contact your current bank. Learn more about your bank’s financial health and review any product offerings they may have. You can also ask if your current bank is part of the IntraFi Deposits Network.

4. Stay Up to Date with Banking News. Finally, stay up to date with current banking news and events. Learning more about current events helps you stay with banking and financial trends. You can learn more about various financial topics right here on RateZip!

No Interest Payments on Balance Transfers for Nearly 2 Years!

Advertising Disclosure

The Citi Simplicity® Card has an astonishing 21 month Intro APR period for balance transfers, plus no annual fee, no late fees, and no penalty rates, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to pay off debt!

Benefit Summary:

  • 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 21 months – one of the longest intro APRs for balance transfers ever! With reg_apr,reg_apr_type thereafter.
  • 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months. reg_apr,reg_apr_type thereafter.
  • Free access to your FICO score.
  • No annual fee.
  • No late fees and no penalty APR.

High interest credit card debt can eat up your funds and make saving money seem impossible. If you’re making multiple payments on different debts each month, you could be losing money due to interest costs. That’s where a balance transfer credit card, such as the Citi Simplicity® Card, could be helpful!

Citi Simplicity® Card

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 21 months for balance transfers, APR thereafter. Balance transfers must be made within the first 4 months of account opening. An introductory balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the transfer amount (whichever is greater) will be charged.
  • Perks: 0% Intro APR for 12 months after account opening on all purchases, APR thereafter; No Late Fees and No Annual Fee

Why We Like This Card

With the Citi Simplicity® Card, you can consolidate multiple debts and benefit from their 0% Intro APR for balance transfers for 21 months, then reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR thereafter. This means that for nearly two years, you won’t have to pay any interest on your balance transfers, and you can simply focus on paying down debt! Hence the credit card name – Citi Simplicity®! If you have high interest debt, not paying any interest for almost two years and solely focusing on paying down the principal can make a huge difference.

This card is ideal for individuals with less than $25,000 in debt, who want to consolidate their debt, and want to focus on paying down their debt without an interest expense. Balance transfers must be completed within the first 4 months of account opening. There is a balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of the transfer (whichever is greater), but considering how much money you can save on interest, this fee can be offset with your savings.

In addition, the Citi Simplicity® Card has a 0% Intro APR for purchases for 12 months (then reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR thereafter), also making it useful if you have a large purchase that you want to make without spending a lot on interest. While the length for the Intro APR for purchases isn’t too unusual, the Citi Simplicity® Card has one of the longest intro APRs for balance transfers available, making it great for those looking to consolidate debt and save on interest.

No Annual Fee, No Penalty Rate, No Late Fees!

To help make this card even more affordable, the Citi Simplicity® Card has no annual fee, no penalty rate, and no late fees! Many other cards will charge a penalty rate or late fee if you miss a payment, but you don’t have to worry about those extra costs with this card. It’s important to note that you should still make payments on time, as your credit score could be hurt otherwise.

One downside of the Citi Simplicity® Card is that it doesn’t have any rewards points, which can affect the long-term value of the card. However, by taking away the distraction of rewards points and spending, you can solely focus on paying down your debt and saving money on interest!

Recommended Credit Score

Because of the benefits this card has, the Citi Simplicity® Card is suggested for those with a good, very good, or excellent credit score (670 or above). That being said, there have been cases of individuals with a score in the mid-600s of being approved. You can try increasing your credit score by making payments on time, not maxing out your credit accounts, and monitoring your credit for errors or fraudulent activity.

Quick Review

If your goal is to find a balance transfer credit card with a long 0% Intro APR period, you’ll be hard pressed to find one better than the Citi Simplicity® Card. With 0% interest for balance transfers for 21 months, plus other bonuses like no annual fee, no late fees, and no penalty APRs, the Citi Simplicity® Card takes the cake for balance transfers! In addition, it offers a 0% Intro APR for purchases for 12 months, which will be useful for any large purchases you make after account opening.

Other Great Balance Transfer Cards

Want to learn more about balance transfer credit cards? Here are some other great options to consolidate debt and save money on interest!

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 21 months for balance transfers, APR thereafter. Balance transfers must be made within the first 4 months of account opening. An introductory balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% of the transfer amount (whichever is greater) will be charged.
  • Perks: No annual fee; lengthy intro APR for balance transfers.

The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card totes a lengthy 21-month 0% intro APR for balance transfers (after that APR), giving you plenty of time to focus on paying down debt without worrying about interest payments! It also has a 0% Intro Apr for 12 months for purchases, with APR thereafter. The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card doesn’t have any rewards, instead allowing you to focus on paying down your debt. However, Citi allows you to have free access to your online FICO® Score, letting you monitor your credit score no matter where you are!

Citi® Double Cash Card

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months for balance transfers, then APR thereafter. An introductory balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the transfer amount (whichever is greater) will be charged on balance transfers made within the first 4 months.
  • Perks: You can earn 2% on eligible purchases by earning 1% cash back when you purchase and 1% cash back when you pay for your purchase. The minimum payment must be met in order to earn cash back.

With the Citi® Double Cash Card, you can earn 2% on eligible purchases by earning 1% cash back when you purchase, and 1% cash back when you pay for your purchase! In addition to earning rewards, the Citi® Double Cash Card is also useful for balance transfers, with a 0% intro APR period of 18 months followed by APR thereafter.  On the downside, the intro APR does not apply to purchases, so if you’re planning on making a big purchase and want to utilize a 0% APR, you’ll need to look for a different card. Rewards also expire if this card is not used for twelve months, making it necessary to keep a close eye on your rewards and spending. But if you want a card that’s great for both balance transfers and rewards, the Citi® Double Cash Card could be for you!

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers and purchases, with APR thereafter.
  • Perks: Earn 5% cash back for up to $500 spent in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, with 1% cash back thereafter and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

With the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, you can earn 5% cash back for up to $500 spent in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, with 1% cash back thereafter and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases! This is a super easy rewards system, with no rotating bonus categories or offers to pay attention to. You can also earn $200 cash back when you spend $1,500 on purchases during the first 6 months after account opening, which will be presented as 20,000 ThankYou® Points. This rewards system, combined with a 0% Intro APR for 15 months for balance transfers and purchases (with APR thereafter), makes this card a great choice for those who want to pay down debt and benefit from easy-to-use rewards! On the downside, you could be missing out on potential earnings in your other high-spend categories when compared to other cash-back cards. Make sure you consider what you need most in a credit card when opening a new account.

Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content on this page is accurate as of 3/10/2023; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.