Articles by Shirley Pulawski

Shirley is a staff writer for MyBankTracker who covers personal finance trends, money habits, mortgages and foreclosures. Education: B.S. in Environmental Science from SUNY Empire State College.

Why You Shouldn't Ignore Calls From Your Bank: My Costly Mistake Learn what happens when your stolen debit card gets used Why Isn't the Discover Card Accepted Everywhere? Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski Why Isn't the Discover Card Accepted Everywhere? Discover credit cards come with a lot of desirable features that attract new... 6 Critical Steps to Take Before Searching for a Mortgage Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski 6 Critical Steps to Take Before Searching for a Mortgage The real estate market is up in many areas, while interest rates remain... What Average Credit Scores Needed for Your Loans? Do you know where your credit score falls when it comes to obtaining a loan or line of credit? What is the cut off between good credit and excellent credit? 4 Necessary Considerations Before Buying a Vacation Property When Foreclosing Your Home Is an Option Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski When Foreclosing Your Home Is an Option Many homeowners have homes worth significantly less than what they paid, greatly... How to Use Home Equity Loan to Buy a Second Home Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski How to Use Home Equity Loan to Buy a Second Home Buying a second home can open up many possibilities for families, including access... What Are the Benefits of 20 Percent Down Payment on a Home Why you should make a down payment of 20 percent on a home purchase; how a big a down payment affects a home purchase. Buy a home with a bigger down payment. How Student Loan Debt Can Affect a Mortgage Application Student loan debts might be affecting the ability for some people to get approved for a mortgage application. Lower student loan payments to buy a house. When to Consider an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski When to Consider an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, are generally unpopular compared to fixed-rate...