Erin Gobler
Erin Gobler is a Wisconsin-based personal finance writer with experience writing about mortgages, investing, taxes, personal loans, and insurance. Her work has been published in major outlets, such as SuperMoney, Fox Business, and Time.com.
articles from Erin
61 posts
When Does Discover Report to Credit Bureaus?
Published 07/15/2022 by Erin Gobler
Like most credit card companies, Discover reports to the credit bureaus just after your statement closing date each month. The good news is that you can use that information to boost your credit score.
How Much Does It Cost To Mail a Letter? 2024 Price Guide
Published 07/13/2022 by Erin Gobler
As of mid-2022, it costs $0.60 to mail a letter through the USPS’s First-Class Mail service. However, you could pay more or less depending on the size, weight, and class of the mail you’re sending.
Citation vs. Ticket: Is There a Difference?
Published 07/11/2022 by Erin Gobler
A citation and a ticket are the same things. Both refer to the document you receive after a traffic violation, requiring you to pay a fine or appear in court.
Cashback Debit Cards: How Do They Work?
Published 07/08/2022 by Erin Gobler
Cashback debit cards allow you to earn rewards on your spending just like many credit cards do. While cashback debit cards aren’t as common as credit cards, they can be a great option to earn some rewards without having to worry about interest rates. However, they also have some disadvantages that need to be considered.
Cloud-Based Personal Loans: Scam or Legit?
Published 07/05/2022 by Erin Gobler
Cloud-based personal loans are offered by online lending marketplaces that connect lenders with borrowers. Online lending marketplaces are convenient and allow you to compare multiple lenders in one place, which can save you a lot of money and help you get a great deal. However, as online lending grows, so does the risk of a personal loan scam. Here’s what you need to know about cloud-based personal loans and some of the risks to look out for.
How to Save for a House While Renting
Published 07/05/2022 by Erin Gobler
You can save money for a house, even while renting, by increasing your income or decreasing your spending. Saving for a house is more difficult when a large portion of your budget is going toward rent, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Among other things, you can get a separate savings account, pay off your other debts, or get a side job to bring in extra cash.
Money Market Account Vs. CD: Which is Better for Investing?
Published 06/30/2022 by Erin Gobler
Money market accounts and CDs both allow you to earn a bit of extra money on your savings. But despite their similarities, they’re best suited for different financial goals.
Should I Open a Savings Account and Why?
Published 06/30/2022 by Erin Gobler
A savings account can be an excellent way to build your emergency fund and save for financial goals, all while earning a return on your savings. That being said, there are some downsides to savings accounts as well. Depending on your financial goals, for instance, you may find it best to put some money into a brokerage account where it could potentially earn higher returns than a savings account.
How to Get a Mortgage Without Two Years of Work History
Published 06/28/2022 by Erin Gobler
Lenders usually require two years of employment history to qualify for a mortgage. However, there are some ways around this rule if you’ve recently changed jobs or haven’t been in the workforce long enough to qualify.
What is the Cost of a $1 Million vs. a $2 Million Mortgage?
Published 06/24/2022 by Erin Gobler
The payments on a $1 million and $2 million mortgage are respectively more than $5,000 and $10,000. But when you account for homeowners insurance, property taxes, and other expenses of owning and maintaining a home, your costs will be even higher.