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.

Should You Refinance Loans When Interest Rates are Rising? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Should You Refinance Loans When Interest Rates are Rising? Refinancing is a strategy that many borrowers use to reduce the interest paid on... Quick Loans: Ways to Borrow Emergency Funds Fast When you need to take out a loan for emergency funds on short notice, find out which lenders provide loans with quick funding times, usually within 1 to 2 days. How to Document a Personal Loan Between Family & Friends If you're lending money to a family or friend as a personal loan, find out how you should document this loan to protect yourself in case of nonpayment. How to Calculate and Reduce Your Debt-to-Income Ratio Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter How to Calculate and Reduce Your Debt-to-Income Ratio If you’re applying for a loan you’re probably worried about whether your credit is... Should You Use a Personal Loan to Start a 0Business? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Should You Use a Personal Loan to Start a 0Business? Nearly anyone can start a business. All you need is an idea for a product, a way... What is a Good Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio? Learn to calculate the loan-to-value ratio before you apply for a new loan to see if you're likely to get approved. What Are Credit Builder Loans and How Do They Work? Learn about credit builder loans and how they work to help you improve or repair your credit. Best Personal Loans to Pay for a Wedding Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Best Personal Loans to Pay for a Wedding Personal loans are popular and flexible financial tools. You can apply for a... Should You Use a Personal Loan to Finance a Lawn Mower Purchase? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Should You Use a Personal Loan to Finance a Lawn Mower Purchase? If you have a big yard, you might dread going out to mow the lawn. It can be a... Best Personal Loans for Fair Credit Scores of 650 to 700 Find out which personal loans are the best for people with fair credit -- as in those who have credit scores of 650 to 700.