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.

Personal Loan vs. Personal Line of Credit: What’s the Difference? Learn the difference between a personal loan and a personal line of credit to determine which works the best for your purpose of borrowing funds. How to Decide Between Secured and Unsecured Personal Loans Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter How to Decide Between Secured and Unsecured Personal Loans A personal loan is a loan that is given to you, without the bank requiring it be... Credit Card vs. Personal Loan: Which is Better to Fund a Big Purchase? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Credit Card vs. Personal Loan: Which is Better to Fund a Big Purchase? If you’re looking to make a large purchase but don’t have enough money to do so,... Should You Invest in a Traditional or Roth IRA CD? Find out what factors affect your decision of choosing between a tradition or Roth IRA CD, which is an option for retirement savings. Can IRA CDs Be Used as Collateral for a Loan? Find out whether you can use IRA CDs as collateral for a secured loan from a bank or lender. Learn about the IRS rules that apply. Best 9-Month CD Rates for Short-Term Savings Goals Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Best 9-Month CD Rates for Short-Term Savings Goals Everyone has goals that they need to save for. Whether you want to go on... Should You Use a Bump-Up CD? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Should You Use a Bump-Up CD? Certificates of deposit (CDs) are a great way to earn more interest than a savings... Find the Best CD Rates in Texas Learn about what certificates of deposit (CDs) are available at local Texas banks and compare them to the best CD rates from online banks. Jumbo CDs: Compare Pros and Cons Before Locking in Your Money Compare the pros and cons of opening a jumbo CD (certificate of deposit) if you plan to lock in $100,000 or more for a higher interest rate on cash savings. Best 18-Month CD Rates for Short-Term Savings: 2024 Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Best 18-Month CD Rates for Short-Term Savings: 2024 Everyone has goals in life, but many of those goals require money. If you have...