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First-time homebuyer no down payment programsIt's possible to get a mortgage with no down payment. VA mortgage borrowers enjoy the ability to put no money down and interest rates that are typically lower than conventional mortgage rates. Other low down payment mortgage optionsIf you don't qualify for VA or USDA no down payment home loans, there are other strategies you can use to reduce the down payment you're required to pay. Preparing for the application processTo ensure you qualify for a no down payment mortgage, work on getting your credit score in a good place. Forgoing a down payment may mean paying a higher interest rate and higher monthly payment on your mortgage.

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AdvertisementAdvertisementThere's no limit on the number of times you can refinance your mortgage. If you have a government-backed mortgage, you may need to wait up to a year before you can refinance. Depending on your mortgage refinance lender and the type of refinance you're looking to do, you might need to wait between six months to a year to refinance. Average refinance closing costs in 2021 were $2,375, according to ClosingCorp. But if your mortgage refinance rate will only be lower by a tiny fraction of a percentage point, then refinancing could actually cost you money.

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Before you open a bank account for a minor, make sure you outline a clear purpose for the account. A kid's bank account is a type of joint bank account between a child and another individual. Depending on where you bank, you may need to open a traditional savings account or a specialized bank account tailored only for children. A custodial bank account is not the same as a traditional kid's bank account. How to open a bank account for a minorTo open a bank account for a minor, one of the individuals signing up for the account must be over the age of 18.

However, if you don't have a bank account or aren't nearby your bank due to travel, your situation becomes a bit trickier. That being said, many brick-and-mortar banks will still cash your check even if you don't bank with them. Regions Bank: Regions Bank has a check-cashing service that doesn't require an account with the bank. If you're cashing a payroll or government check, you'll pay 1.5% of the check amount. If you cash any other check, you'll have to pay 4% of the value of your check amount.

Many people make the mistake of getting rid of important bank documents too soon or incorrectly. Keep online documents safe by adding antivirus software and monitoring usage with public computers. How long should I keep financial documents? Dixon says people often make the mistake of not keeping financial documents. If you use a public computer to check your online bank information, Dixon says you should clear your search history before you finish using it.

A financial advisor is a professional who provides clients with guidance pertaining to financial goals, mortgages, insurance, retirement, investing, and general financial management. "I became a financial advisor to mentor my clients through all financial aspects of their lives," says John Stoj, founder of Verbatim Financial. "In an ideal world, a financial advisor should look at your overall financial picture and help you build a plan to get to and through retirement," says Mary Lyons, financial advisor and founder of Benchmark Income Group. 7 questions to a financial advisor before you hire themBelow are a few of the most important questions to ask a financial advisor you're considering hiring. How much a financial advisor cost varies from advisor to advisor, and can look different depending on how they charge you.

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The rule of 55 is an IRS provision that allows those 55 or older to withdraw from their 401(k) early without penalty. Rule of 55 basics: The rule of 55 allows you to access your 401(k) or 403(b) funds without incurring the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty. An early withdrawal automatically gets hit with 20% income tax with an additional 10% penalty for the early withdrawal. The rule of 55 could also be a deciding factor for those who are considering early retirement. But you may ultimately decide that an early 401(k) withdrawal is right for your situation, especially if you're retiring early.

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Paying rent with a credit card is possible, but it comes with several pros and cons. Regardless of how you pay rent with a credit card, you'll end up paying an additional processing fee to do so. Pros and cons of paying rent with a credit cardHaving the ability to pay your rent with a credit card is one question. Whether you should is another question — the answer to which depends on your reasoning for paying rent with a credit card. Paying rent with a credit card can result in a high credit utilization ratio, which can damage your credit score.

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Your HOA's master policy will cover some water damages, but you may be responsible for other water damages depending on the situation. Does condo insurance cover water damages? So you'll need condo insurance if you live in a condo or co-op, also known as HO-6. Flooding: Like a homeowners insurance policy, condo insurance does not cover water damages due to flooding. Like a homeowners insurance policy, condo insurance does not cover water damages due to flooding.

There are several ways to deposit money into someone else's bank account. Deposit cash at the bankThe most basic way to move money into someone else's account is to walk into the bank and tell the teller you'd like to deposit cash. Transfer money electronicallyThere are multiple websites and apps that allow you to transfer money to a friend. Before attempting to send a wire transfer, make sure your account and the recipient's account are both set up for wire transfers. The best option for depositing money into someone else's bank account may depend on where you both bank and how much you're sending.

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). You can minimize the amount of interest you pay by paying down your daily balance on your credit card. Find your average daily balanceYour next step will be to find your average daily balance, which you will eventually apply your daily rate to. Multiply daily rate by your average balanceAt this stage, you can apply your daily rate to your average daily balance by multiplying the two together. How to reduce credit card interestIf you've been making payments on time on a credit card for a few years, you can call your credit card company and ask for a lower rate.

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It's generally more beneficial to keep a credit card open to keep your credit availability high. AdvertisementBefore You Cancel: Considerations and PreparationsBefore deciding to cancel a credit card, consider the impact it will have on your credit utilization ratio and history — both of which can affect your credit score. Contact Your Credit Card IssuerReach out to your credit card issuer directly, using the number on the back of your card, to inform them of your decision to cancel. Yes, canceling a credit card can impact your credit score heavily depending on your credit utilization ratio and the length of your credit history. How can I cancel a credit card without negatively affecting my credit score?

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Because it doesn't require a credit history or credit score, secured credit cards are an appealing option for building a credit history. How secured credit cards workTraditional credit cards use undisclosed mathematical algorithms that rope in credit score, income, and payment history to determine your credit limit. Step 2: Find which secured credit card is right for youMost major credit card companies, including banks and credit unions, offer a secured credit card option. Though secured credit cards offer a way to build credit, they are subject to the same rules as normal credit cards. With little-to-no prior credit requirements, secured credit cards are one way to reestablish credit or start a credit history.

Custodial accounts are investment accounts an adult manages until a child is usually 18 or 21. A kid's bank account is a type of joint bank account both a parent and child can use. Custodial accounts are ideal for long-term savings while kid's bank accounts help with money habits. Custodial account vs. kid's savings account: At a glanceCustodial accounts and kid's savings accounts are two different types of accounts you'll find available at most financial institutions. Custodial accounts will be better long-term savings options than traditional kid's savings accounts.

An LTV ratio of 80% or less is typically considered ideal for refinancing, but you can refinance with a higher ratio. Lenders track the amount of ownership interest you have in your home by calculating your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. Other ways your LTV ratio affects refinancingHaving an LTV ratio low enough to receive refinancing approval is the first step. A lender may approve your application with a high LTV ratio if other parts of your financial portfolio are solid. How to improve your LTV ratio before refinancingThere are two basic ways to lower your LTV ratio: Pay down your mortgage, or increase your home value.

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Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). If your credit limit is high enough, you may be able to purchase a car with your credit card. While you can earn a windfall of credit card rewards, it's not worth it to max out your card limits. You're probably well aware of the differences between a debit card and a credit card: A debit card is basically like cash, allowing you to spend only what you already have in the bank. Credit Limits and Payment Processing FeesUnfortunately, things don't always work out quite so easily when purchasing a car with a credit card.

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