Articles by Thomas (TJ) Porter

TJ Porter has in-depth experience in reviewing financial products such as savings accounts, credit cards, and brokerages, writing how-tos, and answering financial questions. He has also contributed to publications and companies such as Investment Zen and Echo Fox. He aims to provide actionable advice that can help readers better their financial lives. Education: B.S. in Business Administration, Concentration in Information Systems from Northeastern University.

Is It Smarter to Pay Off a Student Loan or Auto Loan First? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Is It Smarter to Pay Off a Student Loan or Auto Loan First? Prioritizing debt payoff should generally focus on the loan with the highest... Legal Processing Fees: Why Do Banks Charge Them? Learn about the legal processing fees charged by banks when there are legal orders on the account such as garnishments, levies, and child support payments. How to Get a Copy of Canceled Checks Learn how you can get a copy of canceled checks (known as checks deposited or returned), including why you'd want these check images and the fees involved. What Happens When Your IRA CD Reaches Maturity Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter What Happens When Your IRA CD Reaches Maturity When an IRA CD matures, you can choose to move the funds to another IRA, renew the... Which Credit Report Does Synchrony Bank Pull? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Which Credit Report Does Synchrony Bank Pull? Synchrony Bank primarily pulls credit reports from TransUnion when evaluating... Can You Pay Bills Directly from a Savings Account? When your only remaining option for making a bill payment is to use a savings account, find out whether you can do it at a moment's notice. Which Credit Report Does American Express Pull? Find out which credit report is used more often by American Express when it checks an applicant's credit to decide whether or not to grant approval for a new credit card or charge card. Learn how you can check your credit report for free or at a discount. See how you can improve your credit for higher chances of approval. What to Do If You’ve Become the Victim of a Subscription Scam Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter What to Do If You’ve Become the Victim of a Subscription Scam If you've fallen for a subscription scam, immediately contact your bank or credit... Which Credit Report Does Bank of America Pull? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Which Credit Report Does Bank of America Pull? Bank of America primarily uses your Experian credit report when evaluating credit... Which Credit Cards Are Most Accepted Worldwide? Find out which credit cards are the most accepted worldwide so that you won't have trouble paying for a purchase when you travel internationally.