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.

How to Tell If a Check is Real or Fake Learn how to tell if a check is real or fake as part of a scam based on these obvious signs. Avoid losing money to this common type of fraud. How to Beat the 52-Week Savings Challenge Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter How to Beat the 52-Week Savings Challenge Saving can be difficult for a lot of people. There’s a reason that more than... What is the Best Citibank Checking Account for College Students? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter What is the Best Citibank Checking Account for College Students? You’re about to head off to college, which means that you’ll have a lot of... Where to Put Extra Savings After You've Maxed Out Your 401(k) Find out where you should put extra savings after you've maxed out annual contributions to a 401(k) plan and want to set aside more money for retirement. How to Transfer Delta Points to Delta Miles See how you can transfer Delta miles and convert rewards points to Delta for award flights. Tips and tricks can help you get cheaper or free flights. How to Maximize Credit Cards Rewards Using Multiple Cards Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter How to Maximize Credit Cards Rewards Using Multiple Cards If you only have one card, then you aren’t using these tools to the fullest, and... Why You Did Not Get Approved for a Credit Card With a Good Credit Score Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Why You Did Not Get Approved for a Credit Card With a Good Credit Score Have you ever asked yourself “why am I not approved for a credit card” even if... 10 Best Budgeting Apps To Help You Manage Debt Find out which mobile and web applications are the best for people who want to manage and track their debt so that they are on the right path to paying off their balances. Compare their features, pricing, and platforms to see which one can help you become debt-free the fastest. Can Utility Bills In Collections Hurt Your Credit Score? Find out what happens to utility bills that are past due for an extended period of time. Learn what you can do if your unpaid bill is sent to collections. Prepaid Debit Cards vs. Checking Accounts: Which is Better? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Prepaid Debit Cards vs. Checking Accounts: Which is Better? You need an account that can act as the center of your finances -- an account to...