MyBankTracker Blog

5 Money Hacks to Cut Shopping Costs and Bills Must-know money hacks to help you save money and help you get the most out of your dollar. Katherine Muniz Katherine Muniz A Bank Teller Reveals Secrets and Debunks Banking Myths We all know what a visit to a bank branch will bring. Average consumers have no... Simon Zhen Bank vs. Retailers: Who’s Responsible for Protecting Your Data? Get ready for the blame game. The recent procession of payment card data breaches... 6 Steps to Achieving Financial Independence Financial advice on on achieving financial independence, what you'll need before you move out, and how to gauge your readiness. Katherine Muniz How Student Loan Debt Can Affect a Mortgage Application Student loan debts might be affecting the ability for some people to get approved for a mortgage application. Lower student loan payments to buy a house. Shirley Pulawski Erik Neilson Beating Out Cash Buyers When Shopping for a Home Many people simply don't have the cash up front to buy their new home. And while cash... Paul M.J. Suchecki House Hunting? Try Before You Buy When people buy a car, they usually take it for a test drive first. When you go into... Easiest Way to Pay off Your Mortgage Early Pay off your mortgage early to earn your mortgage interest rate on every dollar. Here's the easiest way to own your home outright years earlier. Learn how: Paul M.J. Suchecki Parents: Save for Primary Education Costs, Not Just College Parents can save money to send their child to private school, religious school, and boarding schools with a Coverdell ESA plan; the child can spend tax-free Shirley Pulawski Simon Zhen 5 Free Tax Return Preparation Methods Available to You USAG-Humphreys - Flickr |... Paul M.J. Suchecki 3 Ways to Avoid Paying for Mortgage Insurance If at all possible, you want to avoid mortgage insurance, because it can add... How to Prepare Your Finances for a New Baby how to budget and plan personal and family finances for a new baby. Learn how to save money and prepare for a new baby's future, college, and life. Shirley Pulawski 5 Facts You Should Know About Mortgages Mortgage facts are essential to understand when you apply for a home loan. Here are five mortgage facts you should know that will save money buying a home. Paul M.J. Suchecki Daryl Paranada A Prepaid Card for Your Teen? Not Such a Bad Idea Would you give a teenager a prepaid card? It might sound like a questionable move,... Erik Neilson 5 Features You Should Avoid When Buying a Home Shopping for a new home can be one of the most exciting experiences a family or... Is Renting in Retirement Ever a Good Idea? When is renting in retirement a good idea? How smart is it for a retiree to rent a house or apartment instead of buying? Compare renting vs. owning a home. Shirley Pulawski Tips on Helping Your Personal Finances Survive the Deep Cold Record-breaking low temperatures in the Midwest and Eastern U.S. have had a big impact on Americans’ personal finances. Here are tips to cope with the cold. Daryl Paranada Paul M.J. Suchecki What are Closing Costs on a Home Purchase? Closing costs are fees due prior to transfer of title to you that are in addition... Paul M.J. Suchecki What Are Advantages and Disadvantages of FHA Mortgages A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) home loan is not for everybody. If you... When to Consider an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) When an adjustable rate mortgage is a good idea; learn about adjustable rate mortgage terms. What is an adjustable rate mortgage ARM and is it right for me? Shirley Pulawski Your Post Office Could Become More Like a Bank The U.S. Postal Service may consider entering the financial industry with non-bank financial services that target the underserved population. Simon Zhen Shirley Pulawski Navigating Insurance as a Condo Owner Many people opt to purchase condos instead of a traditional home with a yard. In... Daryl Paranada 6 Easy Ways to Declutter Your Digital Life In this digital age, Americans spend a substantial amount of their time on a computer... 15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: Which Is Right for You? 15-Year Mortgage 30-Year Mortgage; A 30 gives lower monthly payments, you pay a full point more in interest over the course of loan. Here are the numbers Paul M.J. Suchecki 5 Investments You Should Never Make Information on pitfalls and investments you should never make. Katherine Muniz Shayla Mars Builder Confidence Proves Positive It is easier to understand the intricacies of the housing market when you view it in... Paul M.J. Suchecki Should You Pay the Mortgage If Your House Is Destroyed? If your home is destroyed by a natural disaster, the last thing you likely want to... What Should You Know About 'Undead' Property Foreclosures Zombies are soulless corpses, undead; an apt metaphor for abandoned homes, also known as zombie homes, that could become nightmares to the owners of record. Protect yourself like this: Paul M.J. Suchecki Make the Most of Social Security, Test Your Retirement Readiness Katherine Muniz