Four Ways to Blow Your Paycheck

Money comes and money goes. That's how the economy works, right? But when payday rolls around, you want your money to last until the next one...and maybe put a little bit away at the end of the week. Sadly, that's not how it goes for most Americans. A full half of all US citizens live paycheck to paycheck. Often, it's because of bad spending habits.If you want your money to last longer than the weekend, avoid these four ways to blow your paycheck.

What Can You Do if Your Car Payments are Too High?

You have a car loan, as most people do. It was great at first...and then something changed. You may have been hit with a massive repair bill for your furnace at home, or your preteen son needs braces. You've been laid off your long-time career position just before a promotion you expected. You fell ill and can't earn as much as you used to. Suddenly, you need to buckle down on your finances and your car payments are too high. What can you do about it?It's a horrible place to be, but don't despair - you have options.

Should You Complete an Online Credit Application?

When you're on the CarUP Kansas City website, one of the first things you'll notice is an option to get pre-approved for a car loan. Essentially, it's an online credit application. That feels like it's a little early in the process - after all, you haven't even chosen your vehicle yet! There is a reason for it, though, and the purpose will assist you in finding the best vehicle for your needs, your wants, and your credit situation.

Great Ways to Establish Good Credit

We all have to start somewhere. You might have just recently turned the age of majority. You may have just received your Green Card to live and work in the United States. Or, you might have embraced off-the-grid living until now and circumstances dictate a change in life. In any situation, if you need to establish good credit, you'll find it's not as easy as you think.Financial institutions love to lend money to clients with established credit scores. It seems that anyone with good credit can borrow as much money as they desire, and even people with bad credit have little difficulty getting a loan or credit card. It's the segment that falls in between - the people who haven't borrowed money at all - that seem to have the most trouble.Take heart, though. You can establish good credit that opens doors financially in just a short time. Here are a few ways to do so.

Why is a Down Payment Recommended?

You're shopping for a car. Every car ad that you look at - new, used, or certified pre-owned - has a payment listed. In the details, there's an explanation that tells you what that payment amount is all about, and it nearly always includes a down payment. Why is a down payment always recommended or required?

Best Practices for Using Your Credit Card

Read the fine print on your credit card statement. In most cases, you'll see the interest rate is anywhere from 19.99% up to 29.00%. That might not seem like a big deal because you pay your bill off every month...right? If you don't pay your credit card bill's full balance every month, you end up paying interest charges that add up quickly. If it's a one-time thing, it's not such a big deal. But when you use your credit card regularly, it can take its toll financially. Here are a few best practices for using your credit card. They could save you money and potential credit problems down the road.