Miranda Marquit's blog

8 Fees You Need to Stop Paying Right Now

Save hundreds of dollars a year by dropping these useless fees from your life.

Why You Need Credit — and How to Build It From Scratch

Learn how to create a great credit score even if you don't have an extensive financial history.

Why You Should Think Twice Before Bidding on Freelance Gigs (Book Giveaway)

Many aspiring freelance writers get caught in a race to the bottom on content job bidding sites. Earn what you're worth with these tips from a successful blogger.

Quicken Loans Review: Competitive Rates and Good Customer Service

Is a mortgage ReFi through a bank once owned by a financial software company a wise choice? Learn from our reviewer's experience.

E*Trade Review: If a Talking Baby Can Do It, So Can You

E*Trade's wide selection of no-fee funds and ETFs make it a good choice for new and intermediate investors.

TradeKing Review: The Best Brokerage for New and Intermediate Investors?

TradeKing's low fees and minimums, great research tools, and active community make it a good choice for your online brokerage.

Discover Bank Review: You Know the Card, but What About the Bank?

With competitive rates and all the familiar online banking products and features, Discover Bank is worth considering for your banking needs.

Buy the Same House Twice for Less Than Buying It Once

Interest rates have ticked up recently, which means homeowners who've been on the fence about refinancing may want to act soon. Here's what to to expect.

10 Home Renovations That Almost Pay for Themselves

If you'd like to make some home improvements now and recoup those costs when you sell, these are the 10 renovations that earn the best return.

Money Market Accounts: Ideal for Emergency Funds

With a higher return than a regular savings account, a money market bank account is a good choice for your emergency cash.

How to Find and Hire a Real Estate Agent

Choosing the right real estate agent is the first of many difficult decisions home buyers and sellers must make. Here's how to make the right choice.

How to Evaluate a Neighborhood Before You Buy

When you move into a new place, you're moving into a new neighborhood, too. Discover how to find out if it's right for you before you buy or rent.

Choosing the Right Mortgage Loan: 15 or 30 Years?

Getting a 15-year mortgage might seem like a no-brainer — it means you'll spend less overall — but there are good reasons to consider a 30-year as well.

Fixed or Adjustable? Choosing the Right Mortgage Loan

Choosing between a fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgage loan is yet another complex decision new homebuyers must navigate. Make it easier by understanding the options.

21 Real Estate Terms Every Home Buyer Should Understand

If you're thinking about buying a home, get up to speed on these key terms and concepts before you visit your first open house.

What You Need to Know Before Buying Your First Home

Buying a home is expensive — and stressful. Follow this guide to help plan ahead, understand the process, and save money.

The Basics of CD Laddering

To get the most out of your long-term savings, set up a CD ladder to earn the most attractive rates without tying up your money for years and years.

Why Savings Account Interest Rates Are So Low

Five or six years ago it was easy to find a savings account that paid 4% or 5%. Today, 1% or less is the norm. What happened?

What You Need to Know About the FDIC

How safe is your money? Well, if you keep it in a bank, it's kept very safe by the U.S. Government...up to a point.

How to Get a Truly Free Credit Report

If you want a truly free credit report, ignore the clever ads and go straight to the source — where there are no strings attached.