Articles by Shirley Pulawski

Shirley is a staff writer for MyBankTracker who covers personal finance trends, money habits, mortgages and foreclosures. Education: B.S. in Environmental Science from SUNY Empire State College.

Are Moving Expenses Tax Deductible in 2025? Know Who Can Claim Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski Are Moving Expenses Tax Deductible in 2025? Know Who Can Claim Wondering if moving expenses are tax deductible? If you've relocated recently, the... What to Do if Your Credit Score is Not Good Enough for a Mortgage How to buy a home with a bad credit rating poor credit score or fair credit but too low to get a mortgage on a home. Steps to buy a house with bad credit What Average Credit Scores Needed for Your Loans? Do you know where your credit score falls when it comes to obtaining a loan or line of credit? What is the cut off between good credit and excellent credit? Why Isn't the Discover Card Accepted Everywhere? Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski Why Isn't the Discover Card Accepted Everywhere? Discover cards often aren't accepted everywhere due to higher transaction fees... Why You Shouldn't Ignore Calls From Your Bank: My Costly Mistake Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski Why You Shouldn't Ignore Calls From Your Bank: My Costly Mistake I was out having a great time on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon. I went to the mobile... 6 Critical Steps to Take Before Searching for a Mortgage When you're thinking about taking out a mortgage to buy a home, learn about the key steps to complete and ensure the approval of your application. 4 Necessary Considerations Before Buying a Vacation Property When Foreclosing Your Home Is an Option Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski When Foreclosing Your Home Is an Option Many homeowners have homes worth significantly less than what they paid, greatly... How to Use Home Equity Loan to Buy a Second Home Photo of Shirley Pulawski Shirley Pulawski How to Use Home Equity Loan to Buy a Second Home Buying a second home can open up many possibilities for families, including access... What Are the Benefits of 20 Percent Down Payment on a Home Why you should make a down payment of 20 percent on a home purchase; how a big a down payment affects a home purchase. Buy a home with a bigger down payment.