Ben Luthi
Ben Luthi is a personal finance writer and a credit cards expert who loves helping consumers and business owners make better financial decisions. His work has been featured in Time, MarketWatch, Yahoo! Finance, U.S. News & World Report, CNBC, Success Magazine, USA Today, The Huffington Post and many more.
articles from Ben
119 posts
5 Scenarios Where Refinancing Student Loans Makes Sense
Published 07/26/2017 by Ben Luthi
The average debt of a four-year college student is $26,830, according to the Federal Student Aid Office. For some graduates, that could amount to more than half of their starting salary.
Pros and Cons of Extended Car Warranties: What You Need To Know
Published 07/21/2017 by Ben Luthi
Extended car warranties go beyond the standard car warranty to provide additional coverage and extend the life of the warranty for an additional cost. They can help reduce the cost of a breakdown, and they are customizable to fit your needs. However, beware that you may be limited to certain repair shops. To find out if an extended warranty is right for you, check out the information below.
Pros and Cons of Auto Title Loans (Updated 2024)
Published 07/19/2017 by Ben Luthi
No matter how hard you try to save for the future, sometimes surprise expenses happen that are out of your control. And if you don’t have cash on hand to pay it off, you’re left looking elsewhere for funds. When you’re in this kind of situation, an auto title loan is one way to get the money you need. Here are the pros and cons you should consider before applying for a loan with an auto title lender.
How to Calculate Your Monthly Payment With An Income-Driven Repayment Plan
Published 07/18/2017 by Ben Luthi
Roughly seven in 10 college graduates have student loan debt, with an average of $30,100 per borrowers, according to the Institute of College Access and Success. For some graduates, however, that could be as much, or more, than what they earn their first year out of school. Here are four plans that can help lower your federal student loan payments. We will also show you how to calculate your monthly payment with an income-driven repayment plan
How Much Does It Cost to Build an Outdoor Basketball Court?
Published 07/12/2017 by Ben Luthi
If you are a basketball enthusiast or a basketball-loving family, building a backyard basketball court can be a dream come true. But if you are not careful about your court project budget, the cost can also be a nightmare. Understanding what costs go into your backyard basketball court can help you create a budget you can afford and the right financing options for you, such as a credit card or a loan.
Discover How to Get a Mortgage When You Have Student Debt
Published 07/12/2017 by Ben Luthi
Buying a house is an exciting milestone; for some, it’s the pinnacle of the American Dream. But if you’re working to pay off a mountain of student loan debt, applying for a mortgage may seem impossible. This article will explain how to get a mortgage when you have student debt
4 Crucial Questions to Ask Before You Cosign Your Child’s Student Loan Refinancing
Published 07/07/2017 by Ben Luthi
Refinancing your student loans is a great way to lower your interest rate, monthly payment, or both. But for many people, it requires that someone cosign the loan. As a parent, you’d do just about anything to help your kids. But before you cosign your child’s student loan refinancing, consider how it can affect your financial well-being.
Should You Buy a Tiny House? Pros and Cons
Published 07/04/2017 by Ben Luthi
The increase in size of the average house in the last 40 years.
How One Family Paid Off $120,000 in Debt in Just 5 Years
Published 06/30/2017 by Ben Luthi
America has a debt problem. The average household has $31,130 in non-housing debt, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and U.S. Census Bureau.
5 Ways Prepaid Debit Cards Can Help You Budget
Published 06/27/2017 by Ben Luthi
Sticking to your monthly budget isn’t always easy. If you use credit cards, there’s always the chance that you’ll overspend. Using your debit card to pay for everything can also be risky, with overdraft charges looming if your balance gets low. And the fact of the matter is, you can’t use cash for everything anymore.