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.

How to Decide Between Secured and Unsecured Personal Loans Learn about the differences of secured and unsecured personal loans and compare their interest rates, features, and borrowing limits before choosing one. Credit Card vs. Personal Loan: Which is Better to Fund a Big Purchase? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Credit Card vs. Personal Loan: Which is Better to Fund a Big Purchase? If you’re looking to make a large purchase but don’t have enough money to do so,... Should You Invest in a Traditional or Roth IRA CD? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Should You Invest in a Traditional or Roth IRA CD? Certificates of deposit (CDs) are a special type of deposit account designed to... Can IRA CDs Be Used as Collateral for a Loan? Find out whether you can use IRA CDs as collateral for a secured loan from a bank or lender. Learn about the IRS rules that apply. Best 9-Month CD Rates for Short-Term Savings Goals Find out which banks offer the best 9-month certificate of deposit (CD) rates based on interest rates, early withdrawal penalties and minimum deposit amounts. Should You Use a Bump-Up CD? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Should You Use a Bump-Up CD? Certificates of deposit (CDs) are a great way to earn more interest than a savings... Find the Best CD Rates in Texas Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Find the Best CD Rates in Texas Downtown Houston, Texas Home to a plethora of banks, Texas offers plenty of options... Jumbo CDs: Compare Pros and Cons Before Locking in Your Money Compare the pros and cons of opening a jumbo CD (certificate of deposit) if you plan to lock in $100,000 or more for a higher interest rate on cash savings. Best 18-Month CD Rates for Short-Term Savings: 2024 Find out which banks offer the best 18-month CD rates to help you build savings within the short term. Compare certificate of deposits with other CD terms. Best 3-Year CD Rates for Mid-Term Financial Goals: 2024 Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Best 3-Year CD Rates for Mid-Term Financial Goals: 2024 For a more targeted approach to savings, you might consider a certificate of...