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.

The Differences Between Money Market Accounts and Money Market Funds Learn the differences between money market accounts (MMAs) and money market funds (MMFs), two similar-sounding financial vehicles that are often confused with each other. Find out how each of them work and their roles in your finances. Then, you are better informed with what you should do when you come across either of them. How to Invest for Retirement When You Don’t Have a 401(k) Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter How to Invest for Retirement When You Don’t Have a 401(k) The 401(k) is one of the most common retirement accounts, but not everyone has... 6 Savings Account Fees You Need to Know About Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter 6 Savings Account Fees You Need to Know About Savings accounts are designed to help you save money and earn interest while doing... Investing in a Money Market Fund vs. a High-Yield Savings Account Find out whether money market funds are better options than high yield savings accounts when their annual returns are higher than the best savings rates. Learn about the traits of money market funds that make them different from typical deposit accounts, which will affect how you use it to build savings. Should You Keep Your Emergency Fund in a CD? An emergency fund is supposed to be money that you've set aside for unexpected financial expenses. Find out whether it makes sense to keep your emergency fund in a certificate of deposit (CD) -- compared to an online savings account. Compare the pros and cons of this approach and how it could affects your ability to access your cash. Can You Sign a Check Over to Someone Else to Deposit? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Can You Sign a Check Over to Someone Else to Deposit? When someone gives you a check, you first need to deposit the money at a bank or... When Is It Worth Putting a Down Payment of More than 20%? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter When Is It Worth Putting a Down Payment of More than 20%? Buying real estate can be a stressful experience. Finding the right house is a... Can You Pay Bills Directly from a Savings Account? When your only remaining option for making a bill payment is to use a savings account, find out whether you can do it at a moment's notice. 8 Investment Scams That Millennials Should Beware Of Watch out for these common scams that prey on unsuspecting individuals, especially ambitious millennials and young adults, who want fast-growing investments. Compare ACH Transfer Fees at Top U.S. Banks Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Compare ACH Transfer Fees at Top U.S. Banks There are many ways that you can transfer money between bank accounts and the ACH...