Articles by Kevin Mercadante

Kevin Mercadante is a former mortgage loan officer and blogger behind Out of Your Rut. He is an expert in mortgages, career strategies and retirement planning. Education: B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Montclair State University.

How to Choose Between a 401(k) or Pension Plan Learn what factors to consider when you have to choose between an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan or a traditional pension plan as your retirement option. What is Federal Thrift Savings Retirement Plan (TSP) & How it Works? Photo of Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante What is Federal Thrift Savings Retirement Plan (TSP) & How it Works? Many Americans have access to employer-sponsored 401(k) plans. They allow you... How to Write a Check Properly to Avoid Rejected Payments Photo of Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante How to Write a Check Properly to Avoid Rejected Payments Many payments today are being made electronically and it seems checks are... Ultra Short-Term Bonds vs. Savings & CDs: Which Offer Better Returns? Learn how ultra short-term bonds compare to savings and certificates of deposit (CDs) based on returns, cost, taxes, and risk of losing your money. Cash-Equivalent Accounts: The Safest Types of Investments Learn about the cash-equivalent accounts that act as the safe, low-risk investments that provide consistent returns or generate stable income. Morgan Stanley Access Investing Review 2023: Option to Choose Thematic Portfolios Photo of Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante Morgan Stanley Access Investing Review 2023: Option to Choose Thematic Portfolios Morgan Stanley Access Investing is a robo-advisor service that operates... My Chase Loan & My Chase Plan: Should You Use These Financing Options? Photo of Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante My Chase Loan & My Chase Plan: Should You Use These Financing Options? Chase plans to offer two new types of financing options to existing credit card... Western Union vs. MoneyGram: Which Is Cheaper for Wire Transfers? Compare the cost of money transfers using MoneyGram and Western Union to see which one is the cheaper option to send money, while comparing to alternatives. Why Your Credit Scores Can Vary So Much at Equifax, Experian, TransUnion Learn why credit scores from TransUnion, Experian and Equifax credit bureaus can be so different — sometimes hundreds of points apart. How to Invest for a 5% Annual Return (or Higher) in Your Retirement Portfolio Photo of Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante How to Invest for a 5% Annual Return (or Higher) in Your Retirement Portfolio As an investor, it's important to aim for a 5% annual return at a...