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.

Is Zero Percent Credit Card Financing Worth the Risk? A Guide to the Zeros Advertising touts the benefits of zero percent financing: seeming to get something for nothing. But that “nothing” carries big risks. Which Bank is Best for Getting a Credit Card Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Which Bank is Best for Getting a Credit Card If you’re looking for a credit card you might be overwhelmed by the sheer number... How to Fix a Bad 300-560 Credit Score Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter How to Fix a Bad 300-560 Credit Score If you have a very bad credit score (anywhere from 300 to 560) you know how... When Should You Use a Personal Loan in an Emergency? Know the right situation when you should take out a personal loan in order to pay for a financial emergency and learn how to find the most affordable option. 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...