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.

What Type of the Savings Accounts Are the Best? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter What Type of the Savings Accounts Are the Best? Savings accounts are an essential part of anyone’s financial toolkit, but choosing... What is the Maximum Amount You Can Have in a Savings Account? Find out whether there is a maximum amount that you can deposit in a savings accounts and what the high balance means for your money and its safety. Can You Get a Debit Card on a Savings Account? Find out whether you can get a debit card in order to access your savings account. It's a good question for people who want to deposit and withdrawals cash from their main savings, or maybe they want to use a debit card to make purchases. Learn how it differs from ATM cards. Do Savings Accounts Have Routing Numbers? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Do Savings Accounts Have Routing Numbers? We, as average consumers, come across routing numbers most often with our checking... How to Open a Savings Account with Bad Credit Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter How to Open a Savings Account with Bad Credit Your credit score is an integral part of your financial life. It is a record of... Compare the Best IRA Savings Accounts Rates Find out which IRA savings accounts are the best when it comes to interest rates, fees, and IRA eligibility. Learn how you can use it to build retirement savings without the high risk of losing all your money -- instead using it to diversify and balance your portfolio. Should You Pay Back Student Loans or Build an Emergency Fund? Find out whether you should put extra income toward paying back your student loans or building the all-important emergency fund. Learn the benefits of keeping student loan debt and how much you need to establish an emergency fund. Compare your options to decide which path is best for your finances. Should You Pay Down Student Loan Debt or Save for a House? Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter Should You Pay Down Student Loan Debt or Save for a House? As people graduate college, get their first job and start wanting to settle down,... The Differences Between Money Market Accounts and Money Market Funds Photo of Thomas (TJ) Porter Thomas (TJ) Porter The Differences Between Money Market Accounts and Money Market Funds Money market accounts and money market funds are two different types of accounts... How to Invest for Retirement When You Don’t Have a 401(k) Learn how you can still save for retirement when you don't have access to a 401(k) that is normally provided as an employer-sponsored retirement plan by your company. Find out what the other investment options are available to generate long-term returns that are better than a savings account.