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Five Cent Nickel

Written by a man who has been meticulously recording his finances since 1997 (stored in Quicken), Five Cent Nickel is one of the oldest and most respected blogs around. This blog often provides great commentary on—and summaries of—useful financial tips featured by other publications. If you’re too lazy to read every little money article out there, just stop by Five Cent Nickel and get the cream of the crop.

Latest Posts from Five Cent Nickel (page 4)

9 Reasons Your Credit Score Has Dropped

Published Wednesday, August 2, 2017 - 07:00 by Five Cent Nickel

It’s a common question–Why did my credit score drop? Your score can fall for many reasons. Some drops are insignificant, while others can seriously hurt your finances. We examine nine common reasons your credit score may have fallen. So you recently pulled your credit report or got an alert from a monitoring service. Suddenly, your score is lower than it was last month. […]

How to Rent an Apartment When You Don’t Have a Credit History

Published Monday, July 31, 2017 - 10:36 by Five Cent Nickel

Many landlords check a prospective tenant’s credit report. For those with no credit, finding a landlord willing to take a chance on you can be a challenge. […]

How to Write a Winning Cover Letter

Published Friday, July 28, 2017 - 08:00 by Five Cent Nickel

A cover letter is your 60-second chance to promote yourself. Write a poor cover letter and your resume lands in the rejection pile. Craft a compelling cover letter, however, and you land the coveted interview. Here are five keys to writing a great cover letter. Picture this scene. […]

How to Save Money on Car Insurance

Published Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - 09:15 by Five Cent Nickel

Lowering car insurance costs is a great way to save money. Sometimes a quick phone call is all it takes. Here are 6 ways to save money on car insurance. Everyone is always looking for new ways to save money. Cutting expenses, trimming monthly bills, and tightening the budget are all great options. […]

15 vs 30 Year Mortgages–What’s the Best Choice?

Published Monday, July 24, 2017 - 08:00 by Five Cent Nickel

A 15 vs. 30 year mortgage–what’s the best option? It’s a question everybody who buys a home must answer. Here we provide the pros and cons of both mortgage types. I’ve had mortgages on the brain recently. When assembling our mortgage history, I was struck by the decisions we face along the way. […]

8 Tips to Make the Most Out of Business Travel

Published Friday, July 21, 2017 - 06:00 by Five Cent Nickel

Business travel has its pros and cons. At first, it can be exciting to hit the road on your employer’s dime. Eventually, however, it can become tedious. The good news is it’s easy to make the most of business travel. Business travel doesn’t have to feel like work if you do it the right way. Optimizing the way you travel is important if your career is going to take you away from home frequently. […]

Best Airline Miles Credit Cards of 2018

Published Thursday, July 20, 2017 - 09:30 by Five Cent Nickel

Some people choose a credit card based on the interest rate or perhaps a balance transfer promotion. However, if you don’t intend to carry a balance on your credit card, you may be more interested in a rewards program. The best credit card rewards programs are tied to your interests. Here, you can check out a number of credit and charge card offers that also come with rewards. […]

The Best Way for Couples to Manage Their Money

Published Wednesday, July 19, 2017 - 08:00 by Five Cent Nickel

Should couples keep separate bank accounts or a joint account? There is no one right answer to this question, and some couples keep both types of bank accounts. Here’s our take on the best way for couples to manage their money. It’s hard to find a less romantic topic than banking. […]

Our Best Cash Back Credit Cards List for 2018

Published Tuesday, July 18, 2017 - 06:00 by Five Cent Nickel

I carry many types of credit cards in my wallet. I have several travel rewards credit cards for when I need to book a flight or rent a car. And I use one balance transfer credit card that I got to make a large transfer a few years ago. […]

Should You Buy Savings Bonds for the Grandchildren?

Published Monday, July 17, 2017 - 09:30 by Five Cent Nickel

One of the best parts of being a grandparent is doing thoughtful things for your grandchildren. In addition to spoiling them with the latest gadgets, fun vacations, or simple trips out for ice cream, you also want to give them gifts for their future. This is why savings bonds have been a popular choice with grandparents for decades. […]