Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Thomas Brock
Sky Blue Credit review
On This Page Best for: Couples looking to improve their credit together Start-up fee: $79–$119 ($119–$179 for couples) Monthly fee: $79–$119 ($119–$179 for couples) Money-back guarantee: 90 days Maximum number of disputes: Limited Types of letters to creditors/bureaus: Dispute, debt validation, intervention, cease and desist Pros 90-day money-back guarantee: Any customer who is not satisfied with the service can contact Sky Blue for a refund within 90 days of the date of enrollment.
Lexington Law Credit Repair
On This Page Best for: Free resources Learn more First payment fee: $0 Monthly fee: $139.95 Money-back guarantee: None Maximum number of challenges: 6 per cycle to both Equifax and TransUnion, 3 per cycle with Experian, and 3 creditor interventions Types of letters to creditors/bureaus: Intervention letters *Often referred to as a first-work or set-up fee by other companies Pros Free resources: Lexington Law offers a well-organized library of articles to help you fix, improve and build your...
Minnesota Mortgage and Refinance Rates
On This Page Current mortgage rates in Minnesota As of Friday, October 17, 2025, current mortgage rates in Minnesota are 6.06% for a 30-year fixed mortgage and 5.22% for a 15-year fixed mortgage. Mortgage rates in Minnesota — and around the U.S. — have remained above 6 percent, and often above 7 percent, for most of the last two years. Rates have finally begun to decrease recently, due to economic uncertainty, and currently fall between 6 and 7 percent.
Credit Saint Credit Repair Review
On This Page Best for: Simple credit repair options Start-up fee: $99–$195 Monthly fee: $79.99–$139.99 Money-back guarantee: 90 days Maximum number of disputes: Unlimited with the Clean Slate Plan Types of letters to creditors/bureaus: Dispute (credit bureau challenges) and intervention Pros Three different levels of service: Credit Saint offers three distinct service packages, allowing customers to choose the package that best suits their individual credit situation.
Nevada Mortgage and Refinance Rates
On This Page Current mortgage rates in Nevada As of Tuesday, October 14, 2025, current interest rates in Nevada are 6.20% for a 30-year fixed mortgage and 5.63% for a 15-year fixed mortgage. Despite a series of rate decreases by the Federal Reserve in 2024, mortgage rates spiked above 7 percent as 2025 began. They have since dwindled, though they spiked slightly following the Fed's rate cut in September.
Rolling Your 401(k) Into An Annuity? Here’s What You Need To Know Original
Justin Paget/Getty Images Table of contents How to roll your 401(k) into an annuity Benefits of rolling your 401(k) into an annuity Drawbacks of rolling your 401(k) into an annuityd Does rolling a 401(k) into an annuity make sense for you? While some insurers will issue an annuity for as little as $10,000, the reality is it usually takes a six-figure investment to produce a meaningful income in retirement.
4 Ways To Use Annuities In Your Estate Plan Original
Weekend Images Inc./Getty Images Table of contents 1. Secure income for your spouse 2. Leave an inheritance for your heirs 3. Avoid probate 4. Transfer ownership to a trust Disadvantages of using an annuity When you think about estate planning, wills, trusts and life insurance usually top the list. But annuities deserve a spot in the conversation, too.
Annuities Vs. Bonds: Which Is Better For You? Original
Yoshiyoshi Hirokawa/Getty Images Table of contents Bonds vs. annuities: An overview How bonds and annuities are intertwined What makes more sense for you? Key takeaways Bonds and annuities aren’t an either-or choice. You may find value from both in your portfolio. Bonds offer stable income, liquidity and the option to sell. Fixed annuities can offer guaranteed income, albeit with less liquidity. When people talk about safe investments for retirement, annuities and bonds often top the list.
Increases In Immigration Enforcement And Small Businesses
Recent changes in immigration enforcement efforts are impacting small-business customer bases and workforce. Your business may be at risk even if you are compliant, or if you’re not directly affected by workforce reduction. Making sure you stay informed, being transparent with your customer base and automating certain tasks can help you minimize the impact on your business.
Money-Saving Strategies For Small Businesses
Businesses don’t have to resort to layoffs and shrinking inventories to reduce costs. Making a few tweaks to your current spending and optimizing your assets can boost profit margins. You can also tap into your local community for talented workers and resources. Apply these money-saving strategies gradually so you can see if they are working. It’s likely that nearly every business owner wants to save money. You can use the extra money to grow your business or give yourself a higher payday.
Cash Flow Management For Small Businesses
Managing cash flow well helps your business cover expenses and grow. Poor cash flow leads to missed payments, rising debt and potential business failure. Forecasting cash flow can help you anticipate financial needs and avoid shortfalls. You can improve cash flow by speeding up receivables, controlling your expenses and maintaining adequate cash reserves Cash flow management tracks how money moves in and out of your business.
5 Annuity Strategies For High Net Worth Individuals Original
Most people who own annuities are middle class. Seventy percent of annuity owners had total annual household incomes under $100,000 with a median annual household income of $79,000, according to The Survey of Owners of Individual Annuity Contracts, conducted by Gallup in 2022, the most recent year available. While many annuity owners are solidly middle class, high-net worth people buy annuities, too.
What the Big, Beautiful Bill means for small businesses
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has introduced a wide range of tax cuts and adjustments that small business owners should pay attention to and prepare for. New deductions around pass-through income, tipped and overtime wage and bonus depreciation can allow small business owners and workers to lower their tax burden. The repeal of the de minimis rule means small business owners can expect to pay more on smaller imported shipments.
What Is A Joint Mortgage, And Should You Get One?
Joint mortgages allow two or more people to combine their assets and income to qualify for a home loan. Joint mortgage loans don’t impact the ownership of the home, which is dictated by the names on the property title. When applying for a joint mortgage, lenders consider the credit score of all parties who are part of the mortgage application. If you’re concerned you might not qualify for a mortgage on your own, you might consider teaming up with one or more other parties on your application.
How to Boost Business Revenue And Growth
Revenue is a key indicator of your business’s financial health and can be a predictor of your business’s success. Revenue growth can be influenced by a number of different internal and external factors.
How Tariffs Affect Long-Term Auto Industry Plans
Automotive companies plan vehicles years in advance, making it difficult and expensive to make changes as quickly as new tariffs require. Short-term discounts are available for automakers that use imported parts to assemble vehicles domestically. However, these may not be large enough — and may not last long enough — to provide meaningful relief to the industry.
Does It Make Sense To Delay Annuity Payouts Until Your 80s?
Outliving your money is one of the biggest financial fears people have going into retirement — and with good reason. From 2010 to 2020, the number of Americans age 85 to 94 grew 12.6 percent and the number of Americans age 95 or older jumped by over 48 percent, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. And those numbers are only expected to rise over the next decade as baby boomers age.
5 Things Every Couple Needs To Know Before Buying A Joint Annuity
When you’re planning for retirement as a couple, figuring out how to make your money last through both of your lifetimes is a top priority — but it isn’t always easy. Joint and survivor annuities are sometimes floated as a potential solution to that piece of the retirement puzzle. On paper, it sounds like a no-brainer: Guaranteed income that continues for both your life and your spouse’s life. But like most things involving annuities, the devil is in the details.
The SBA is changing. Here's what small business owners need to know.
With the current presidential administration making sweeping changes across the federal government, the Small Business Administration has undergone a wave of new regulations, standards and criteria impacting how small business owners can qualify for SBA loans. Here’s a roundup of the changes to be aware of, and how they can impact your small business.
Small Businesses Want Smaller Loans, But It's Getting Harder
Small loans are increasingly popular with small businesses, according to data from the Federal Reserve’s latest Small Business Credit survey. While the average SBA loan size in 2024 was $443,097, more businesses are seeking financing in the total of $100K, $50K and even $25K as they seek to sustainably scale, manage rising operating costs and manage increased borrowing costs.
How To Refinance A Rental House Original
Refinancing a rental typically has more stringent financial requirements than refinancing a primary residence. Refinancing a rental property can allow you to change the mortgage term, rate or both, or take out equity for financial needs. Refinancing isn’t just for a primary residence. If you have a mortgage on a property — even if you rent it out — you may be able to save money by refinancing, but the process is slightly different than refinancing a home where you live. Here’s what you need to know.
Loan Modification Vs. Refinance
How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. “Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content.
Physician Mortgage Loans Guide
Physician mortgage loans are designed to help medical professionals become homeowners. These loans often have looser requirements, such as higher acceptable debt-to-income ratios, and more generous terms, such as no down payments. While most physician loans are geared toward primary residences, some lenders offer loans for other purposes, such as establishing a medical practice. What is a physician loan?
How to avoid mortgage rate lock extension fees Original
A mortgage rate lock extension fee is a charge you pay to retain the interest rate you were initially quoted after the original lock period expires. A lock extension fee typically costs a few hundred dollars, but it can vary by lender, the reason for the extension and other factors. To avoid paying an extension fee, keep on top of your mortgage application and communicate regularly with your lender. What are mortgage rate lock extension fees?
How To File For Bankruptcy And Keep Your Car
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy may allow you to keep your vehicle. Redeeming or reaffirming your loan may help you avoid repossession. In some cases, you may not be able to or may not want to keep your car. There are options to prevent your vehicle from being repossessed if you are considering filing for bankruptcy?
What Is A Flat Fee In Real Estate?
A flat fee in real estate is a charge that home sellers pay to have their home listed on the market. In a flat-fee model, a real estate agent charges a fixed rate for their services rather than a commission based on the final sale price of your home. Flat-fees can help save money when selling a home but you may not get the same level of service that’s provided by a commission-based agent. What is a flat fee?
How Do Money Orders Work? Original
Money orders are safe, prepaid forms of payment that can be used in place of cash or checks. You can purchase money orders from post offices, grocery stores, banks and check-cashing stores for a small fee. Money orders are a safe alternative to checks or cash. These paper documents offer guaranteed funds, but unlike a check, they’re prepaid and not tied to a bank account.
12 Types Of CDs: Which Is Best? Original
The traditional certificate of deposit (CD) is far from being the only CD product available to savers. Financial institutions offer a variety of CDs, giving savers more flexibility to manage their money when economic winds change. Rates on many CDs rose in 2022 and 2023, after which they leveled off and began declining in the latter half of 2024 — and some continue to decrease in 2025.
How A Car Loan Charge-Off Works
A car loan charge-off happens when the lender does not believe you will pay off the loan, usually after a period of no payments. Potential consequences include damage to your credit score, collection efforts, wage garnishment and repossession. If your account enters the charge-off stage, your best option is to continue making payments while working with your lender to get up-to-date on your account.
7 Reasons To Go To College
College can help you expand your earning potential and job prospects. Determine whether a public or private school is the best fit for you. Public schools can be less expensive, but private schools tend to have smaller class sizes. If you’re unsure about college, you can take a campus tour, talk to admissions or financial counselors or talk to friends who have gone to college. Going to college is a big investment. Students spend thousands of dollars on tuition and other costs.
What Is A Chattel Mortgage? | Original
A chattel loan is a loan used to buy movable property — including manufactured homes. You can get a chattel loan from a lender to purchase a manufactured home, but you’ll need to figure out how to buy or rent the land to put it on separately. These manufactured home loans often come with looser borrower requirements but higher interest rates than traditional mortgages. What is a chattel mortgage?
What Happens When You Miss a Mortgage Payment? Original
When you miss a mortgage payment, your lender will often give you a 15-day grace period, during which you can pay without penalty. Most lenders won’t start the foreclosure process until you’ve missed four mortgage payments in a row or are 120 days late on payments. If you are having trouble paying your mortgage, it’s best to contact your lender immediately and discuss your options. Many people use a mortgage to purchase a home.
What Is A Rug Pull?
A rug pull is a scam where a cryptocurrency or NFT developer hypes a project to attract investor money, only to suddenly shut down or disappear, taking investor assets with them. The name comes from the idiom “to pull the rug out” from under someone, leaving the victim off-balance and scrambling. Rug pulls have increased as decentralized finance (DeFi) attracts more investors to the crypto space.
Can I End My Car Lease Early If I Become Disabled?
Disability is not usually considered a reason to end a car lease early. That said, your lessor may be willing to waive fees or negotiate the payoff amount if you explain your situation. You can also break your lease — for a fee — or search for someone to take it over on your behalf. When you are facing a short-term or long-term disability, there is no guarantee that you can break a car lease early.
What Is A First Mortgage? Original
A first mortgage is the primary or original loan on a home, typically used to buy the property. “First” also describes the lender’s lien position on the property. If your home were foreclosed upon and sold, the lender of the first mortgage would have first claim to the proceeds. Generally, first mortgages are easier to qualify for than second mortgages, such as a home equity loan. What is a first mortgage?
What Is A Home Equity Loan And How Do You Get One?
Written by and Edited by Reviewed by How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. “Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content.
Tax-Efficient Investing: 7 Ways To Minimize Taxes Original
If you’re an investor, be sure to give special attention to the taxes you’ll have to pay on your investments. In many cases, you have ways to legally reduce, defer or even eliminate taxes on your investment gains and keep more of your profits. So it pays to know the smartest ways to minimize your taxes and keep more of your money working for you. Here are some of the best ways to keep taxes low on your investment income.
6 Reasons To Get A Credit Union Car Loan
Credit unions can offer more borrower perks than some banks can compete with. Lower interest rates, community presence and a borrower-oriented business model set credit unions apart. Becoming a member of a credit unit is easier than most people think, and most credit unions will allow anyone to join. If you’re considering buying a new or used car, a credit union is a great choice for an auto loan. Credit unions frequently offer lower auto loan interest rates than banks and online lenders.
How To Buy Land: A Step-By-Step Guide Original
How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. “Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content.
How Debt Consolidation Loans Work
How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. “Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content.
How Does The National Debt Affect Personal Debt?
Governments often borrow money to cover deficits when taxes and other revenues don’t cover expenses. The national debt is the total amount of money a country’s government owes to its creditors. A higher national debt can affect personal debt through increased interest rates, reduced benefit programs and potential tax increases. Regardless of the national debt, prudent personal debt management can help to protect you and your family financially.
Renting Vs. Buying A House: Which Is Right For You? Original
The decision to rent or buy might be primarily financial, but your lifestyle and future plans or goals should also be a factor. Renting offers more flexibility and less upfront costs, but it does not build equity and puts you at the whim of your landlord. While owning requires a large financial commitment and more responsibility, it also provides stability and potential for building equity. To buy or not to buy? That is the question.
What Is A Charitable Trust?
How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. “Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content.
How To Buy A New House Before Selling Yours
How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. “Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content.
How To Buy A Used Car
To ensure that you purchase a used vehicle you can truly afford, make a budget and stick to it. Many experts advise not to spend more than 20 percent of your take-home pay on monthly vehicle costs. Buying a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle is an excellent option for those shopping at a franchise dealership. To secure the most competitive auto loan rate, apply for preapproval through a bank, credit union or online lender before going to the dealership.
What Is A Private Party Auto Loan?
Written by Edited by Reviewed by How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. “Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content.
15 Pesky Bank Fees And How To Avoid Them
Very few bank accounts can be called 100-percent free due to a range of potential costs for certain types of activities and account behaviors. While some bank fees are relatively cheap – $3 to request a paper statement, for example – others, such as getting charged with three overdraft fees in one day, can be really costly.
What Is The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)? Original
The capital asset pricing model (CAPM) is a financial model used to determine a security’s expected return considering its associated risk. Developed in the 1960s, CAPM has become a tool used by some investors in analyzing and managing investments, because it provides a quantitative way to measure the expected return and risk of a given asset. Here’s how CAPM is used, the formula for CAPM, its limitations and more.
Here’s How Much A $1 Million Annuity Pays Per Month In Retirement Original
For many retirees, securing a steady stream of income is a top priority. One way to protect against the risk of outliving your savings is through an income annuity, a financial product that provides guaranteed monthly payouts in exchange for a lump sum investment. Income annuities come in two forms: Immediate annuities, which start payments within 12 months of signing your contract and deferred annuities, which delay payouts until years in the future.
9 Tips for Getting Approved for a Credit Card Original
If you want to boost your chances of getting a credit card, knowing where your credit score falls on the spectrum can help. If you have limited credit history or no credit, you may have to start your credit-building journey with a secured credit card. Keeping your credit utilization ratio below 30 percent, paying your bills on time and having different types of credit on your reports can help move the needle and improve your score.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Thomas
Contact Thomas, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack