Articles by Thomas (TJ) Porter

TJ Porter has in-depth experience in reviewing financial products such as savings accounts, credit cards, and brokerages, writing how-tos, and answering financial questions. He has also contributed to publications and companies such as Investment Zen and Echo Fox. He aims to provide actionable advice that can help readers better their financial lives. Education: B.S. in Business Administration, Concentration in Information Systems from Northeastern University.

BMO Smart Advantage Checking Account 2025 Review Learn about the BMO Harris Smart Advantage Checking Account and compare it to other free checking accounts, especially from online banks. Forgot About an Old CD Account? How You Can Find Your Money Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Forgot About an Old CD Account? How You Can Find Your Money Certificates of deposit (CDs) are a great way to save money if you want a... The Best 10-Year CD Rates for Long-Term Savings Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter The Best 10-Year CD Rates for Long-Term Savings You’ve saved up your extra dollars and cents and you have a good amount of money... Compounding Interest Daily vs. Monthly: What’s Better for Your Savings? Learn the differences between daily and monthly compounding interest to determine if it actually matters to you and your savings. Find out how the two terms are related to APR and APY. Understand how the rate of compounding is used to calculate the effective return of your deposits in savings accounts and CDs. NCUSIF Deposit Insurance: How Your Money in Credit Union is Protected Learn about deposit insurance at credit unions provided by the NCUA and NCUSIF, which act similar to FDIC deposit insurance coverage for banks. Should You Choose Fixed-Rate or Variable-Rate Personal Loans? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Should You Choose Fixed-Rate or Variable-Rate Personal Loans? Personal loans are flexible financial tools that have become more popular in... 7 Most Common Job Scams on Local Classified Ads: How to Spot Them Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter 7 Most Common Job Scams on Local Classified Ads: How to Spot Them Whether you’re having trouble finding a job or you dislike your current job, it’s... Do You Have to Keep a Minimum Balance at a Credit Union? Find out whether or not you need to maintain a minimum balance at a credit union because it related to how they work differently from banks. Learn why it matters in order to keep a credit union membership and what happens when you are still a member but have an account become inactive or dormant. Does Your Age Matter When Applying for a Mortgage? Find out whether the age of the borrower on a mortgage application is considered a major factor in the chances of approval. Learn about the laws that apply to this matter. Consider the biggest underwriting guidelines for lenders, including income, expenses, and credit history. What's the Difference Between Daily vs. Monthly Interest Accrual? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter What's the Difference Between Daily vs. Monthly Interest Accrual? When you're looking through the complex jargon of loan agreement, you might come...