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.

When Do Credit Cards Go to Collection Agencies? Find out when your lender will send your credit card account to debt collection agencies after you've defaulted on your payments. Learn the time period of when the late and missed payments are recorded on your credit reports. Be informed with what you should deal with debt collectors. Should You Use a Personal Credit Card for Business Expenses? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Should You Use a Personal Credit Card for Business Expenses? If you’re a sole proprietor or a small business owner, you probably have to buy... How to Cash in on Credit Card and Bank Bonuses at the Same Time Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter How to Cash in on Credit Card and Bank Bonuses at the Same Time Credit card sign up bonuses have become a common and well-known phenomenon. It... Which Brokerages Offer Pre-Market Trading? Find out which brokerage allow investors to trade during the pre-market hours, when some may want to get the jump on the trading action before everyone else. What is After-Hours Trading? How Does it Work? Learn about after-hours trading and how it works for investors who want to trade when the stock market is normally closed. Should You Max Out Your 401(k) Early in the Year? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Should You Max Out Your 401(k) Early in the Year? The 401(k) is one of the most popular retirement accounts in the United... Family Member Stole Your Identity to Open Credit Cards: What to Do Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Family Member Stole Your Identity to Open Credit Cards: What to Do Family members, especially parents, often have easy access to sensitive personal... How to Avoid Having Medical Bills Go to Collections Take these steps after you find out that your medical bills are now in the hands of a collection agency. How to Go Totally Cashless and Why You Should Living a cashless life has never been easier thanks to the near ubiquity of smartphones, public WiFi, and internet access in general. Why It’s a Bad Idea to Save Your Credit Card Points or Miles Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Why It’s a Bad Idea to Save Your Credit Card Points or Miles One of the best parts of using a credit card is rewards. Some credit cards keep...