TJ Porter

About the Author

-Freelance personal finance writer with 8 years experience

-Bachelor’s degree in Business with minors in History and International Affairs

-Expertise in banking, investing, and credit card rewards

Bio and experience:

TJ Porter has eight years of experience as a personal finance writer covering investing, banking, credit, and more. He has written dozens of articles for Bankrate and other popular finance websites such as Credit Karma and the Balance.

TJ's brush with personal finance began as he looked for ways to stretch his own dollars through deals or reward points. In all of his writing, TJ aims to provide easy to understand and actionable content that can help readers make financial choices that work for them.

Education:

TJ earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with minors in History and International Affairs from Northeastern University

The Archive

Mastering the credit card game: How I juggle 11 cards and come out on top

I have 11 credit cards — and at times have had far more. Here’s how I manage them.

Help! My bank just closed my account out of nowhere. What should I do?

While having your bank close your account can be stressful, understanding the reasons behind the closure and taking steps to resolve the situation can help you regain control of your...

8 smart strategies to save for your dream vacation

You can make your dream vacation a reality with the right planning.

Over 40% of couples commit ‘financial cheating’— Should it be forgiven?

Financial infidelity is shockingly common — and it can deal a major blow to your relationship. Preventing it from happening in the first place is best, but if it happens...

Most Americans don’t expect their financial situation to get better this year

Americans say high inflation, stagnant wages, and dissatisfaction with elected officials are the reasons behind their pessimism.

5 money mistakes that college students make

Spending too much on non-essential items, not tracking expenses, and neglecting to save regularly are savings mistakes many college kids make.

7 low-risk ways to earn higher interest on your savings

Ditch the traditional savings account and earn more interest on your money with these safe, low-rish alternatives.

The Fed may be done hiking interest rates this year. What it means for savings accounts, credit cards

The Fed rate pause is a great time to lock in higher interest rates on your savings and pay down any high-interest debt.

Stop taking money advice from ‘finfluencers’: How TikTok can hurt your finances

TikTok has tons of financial advice — some of it helpful, most of it not.

The 9 best online banks offering high interest rates and low fees

The best online banks have high interest rates, low fees, user-friendly platforms, robust customer support, and convenience.

Supercharge your savings: The best 5 money-saving apps

The best money-saving apps include options from Acorns, Truist, Qapital, Mint, and Current.

Can you have too much money in your checking account?

A checking account is best for storing your everyday funds. But if you keep all your money in your checking, you’ll miss out on higher rates.

Cash stuffing viral trend: Is it really the best way to budget?

While the viral cash stuffing strategy may offer a tangible way to manage spending, it may not be the most effective or secure budgeting tool for you. Here's why.

Is it better to pay off debt or save?

It’s typically a good idea to pay off high-interest debt first while making small additions to your savings.

5 times switching banks is the right move

1. You’re not happy with their services. 2. You’re paying high fees. 3. You want better interest rates. 4. You’re moving. 5. You want more rewards.

Save like a pro: 6 places to put your cash right now 

Take advantage of high interest rates by saving in money market accounts, high-yield savings accounts, CDs, and more.