Finance News
Credit card rewards explained: points, miles, and the fine print
Rewards are not a gift. They are a share of the fees you and other customers already pay — and knowing that changes how you use them.
Author
Naomi Bergman
Independent editorial contributor covering fintech, payments, household credit, regulation and markets.
Articles by Naomi Bergman
Money News
How interest rates affect your money: a plain-language guide
The same rate that raises your loan payment also raises your savings yield. Here is how both sides work, in plain terms.
Money News
What a credit utilization ratio is, and why 30% isn't a magic number
Utilization is balances divided by limits, it carries about a third of common credit scores, and 30% is a ceiling — not a target. Here's how the ratio works and…
Money News
Unbanked US households fall to 4.2%, FDIC survey finds — here's why it matters for your savings
The FDIC's 2023 National Survey found the unbanked share at 4.2 percent of households, and the most-cited reason for not having an account was fees — something…
Money News
How overdraft opt-in works, and what happens if you say no
A federal rule lets you block your bank from covering — and charging you for — one-time debit card and ATM overdrafts. Here's what your opt-in choice actually…