Credit Card Tip: Make sure you understand grace periods

Your credit card’s grace period is the number of days you have to fully pay your bill to avoid finance charges. Typically, though, grace periods only apply to purchases you’ve made and not to other kinds of transactions (e.g., balance transfers and cash advances).

Refinancing

If you’re thinking about refinancing, at least part of your decision should be based on how long you think you’ll stay at your current home. That way, you can figure out whether you’ll recoup the up-front refinancing costs with enough monthly savings at the lower, refinanced rate.

Personal Loan Tip

When weighing personal loan offers, you shouldn’t necessarily pick the one with the lowest rate. For each loan, also consider the impact other terms—penalties, fees, payment flexibility—may have on your bottom line.