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.

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. Counter Checks Fees Compared at the Top U.S. Banks Photo of Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante Counter Checks Fees Compared at the Top U.S. Banks Counter checks come into play when you have a checking account, you need to write... Cash-Equivalent Accounts: The Safest Types of Investments Photo of Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante Cash-Equivalent Accounts: The Safest Types of Investments The Different Types of Cash-Equivalent Accounts For both investors and... Morgan Stanley Access Investing Review 2023: Option to Choose Thematic Portfolios Review the features and fees of the Morgan Stanley Access Investing robo-advisory service, which offers general and thematic investment portfolios. Citi Flex Loan 2024 Review: Pay Less Interest By Borrowing Against Your Credit Card Learn about the Citi Flex Loan as we review this financing option that lets you borrow against your existing credit card's credit line at a lower interest rate. 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? Photo of Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante Western Union vs. MoneyGram: Which Is Cheaper for Wire Transfers? When you're sending money to family or friends via a wire transfer, you want to... 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. Compare the Deposit Cutoff Times at the Top U.S. Banks Find out what the cutoff times are for making check and cash deposits at the biggest U.S. Learn about when funds are available and when checks will clear. 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...