TessMore Finance Blog

Auto loans are notoriously expensive, but sometimes they’re a necessary part of getting you back on the road. If the opportunity arises to save some money on your auto loan, you should probably take it. Americans who refinance their cars save on average around $950 a year, and several thousand over the life of their loan. Interest rates are still low at the start of 2022 so it’s worth looking into refinancing your auto loan . Here’s what you should know before getting started. How to Qualify for an Auto Loan Refinance Like with other loan products, you must have a good credit score and stable income to qualify for auto loan refinancing. Most lenders require a score of 781 or more to qualify for the best interest rates, although those with scores between 661 and 780 will also qualify for low interest rates. An auto loan is a secured loan, meaning that the car’s value is used as collateral for the lender. The car must have enough value to qualify for a loan. Most lenders require tha

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . So you’ve achieved the American Dream. You’re married and you own a house and cars. Congrats! Problem is, the American Dream is so expensive . You’ve got to pay so many bills to keep the whole thing going. Here’s an easy way to lower one of those pesky bills: When’s the last time you compared car insurance rates? If it’s been more than six months, you should look again. Chances are you’re seriously overpaying. If you look through a website called Pretected , you could save yourself up to $500 a year* in the time it takes to brush your teeth. No matter where you live, what your credit score is or what kind of coverage you need, Pretected’s smart matching technology can match you with the right insurance provider — and make sure you stop wasting money every month. It takes just a couple of minutes to answe

When it comes to saving money, whether it’s for a short-term goal, such as a trip, or for a long-term one, such as a retirement fund , there are many budgeting strategies to choose from. Starting a money-saving challenge can be a good strategy to save money while being motivated to reach a goal and have fun. However, not all challenges fit every money personality type . Whether you’re a self-motivated worker, an experience seeker, a challenge expert, or a flexible explorer, in this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn what budgeting challenges fit your personality the most. Let the challenges begin!   Money-Saving Challenges for Dedicated Stewards   Money-Saving Challenges for Wealth Builders   Money-Saving Challenges for Wise Analysts   Money-Saving Challenges for Bold Explorers What Is a Money-Saving Challenge? Money-saving challenges are budgeting challenges to encourage spenders to achieve a certain financial goal in a creative way. Whether that’s saving big or chang

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . You have insurance for your health, your car, your house — but what about your pets? Do they have pet insurance coverage? If you don’t currently have pet insurance, you’re not alone. While more than 70% of U.S. households have pets, just 26% of those American pet parents have actually purchased insurance for their pets, according to a 2021 study from Liberty Mutual. But given the price of vet care, it’s worth looking into. The ASPCA estimates the annual cost of routine vet visits is $225 for dogs and $160 for cats, depending on your pet’s age. Emergency vet visits can cost from $800-$2,500, and sometimes more. And if your pet develops cancer and you choose to treat it, you might spend $10,000 or more. If you’ve ever found yourself at the animal hospital at 3 a.m. with a beloved pet in distress, you know wh

Maybe you’d rather forget 2021 — we get it. But before getting too far into 2022, it’s a good idea to take stock of how your finances may have changed during the last 12 months and make any needed adjustments. Here are five areas of your finances to check on so you don’t get any unpleasant surprises this year. 5 Financial Surprises (the Bad Kind) to Avoid in 2022 Missed Student Loan Payments If you’ve been taking advantage of student loan forbearance since March 2020 — when all payments and interest on federally held student loans were suspended — it’s time to resurrect those payments. Forbearance ends April 30, 2022 , at which point you start owing and accruing interest on your student loans. Don’t delay reaching out to your student loan servicer. If you’re on the standard repayment plan and are unable to make the payments, apply for an income-driven repayment plan , which could substantially reduce your monthly payments when the forbearance period ends. If you’re already on an

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . Unexpected vet bills can be the most expensive part of welcoming a dog or cat into your family. For many pet owners, pet insurance for their dogs, cats and even birds can keep the costs of pet care reasonable. While the monthly premiums are an additional expense on top of food, toys, treats and grooming, pet insurance is worth it for medical emergencies, especially serious illnesses or injuries. With the cost of treating chronic illnesses so high, pet health insurance can mean being able to afford an improved quality of life for your companion and avoiding the tough decision of saying goodbye because you don’t have the money for a $5,000 procedure. Like all insurance, it’s a gamble. You will likely spend more over the course of your animal’s life on monthly premiums than the cost of regular veterinary car

GO2bank is a fintech-owned online bank whose mission is to “simplify banking by enabling you to quickly and affordably access, manage and move your money.” They refer to themselves as “the ultimate mobile banking app.” In this GO2bank review, we’ll help you decide if that’s an accurate descriptor.  We’re sharing all of the essential details about GO2bank, including features, fees, and other important facts you need to know about banking with GO2bank. Also, if you’re searching for a bank that doesn’t use Chexsystems, GO2bank might be an intelligent choice for your banking needs.  Table of Contents What Is GO2bank? GO2bank Features Checking Account Features Overdraft Protection Savings Vault Features Cash Back on eGift Card Purchases Bill Pay Capabilities Secured Credit Card GO2bank Customer Service Reviews GO2bank Pros and Cons GO2bank Alternatives Chime CIT Bank Current FAQs GO2bank Review: Final Thoughts What Is GO2bank? GO2bank is a brand of Green Dot