Articles by Kevin Mercadante

Kevin Mercadante is a former mortgage loan officer and blogger behind Out of Your Rut. He is an expert in mortgages, career strategies and retirement planning. Education: B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Montclair State University.

How to Write a Check Properly to Avoid Rejected Payments Learn how to write a personal check properly to avoid any problems for the depositor, including how to fill the payee details, check amounts, and memo lines. Ultra Short-Term Bonds vs. Savings & CDs: Which Offer Better Returns? Photo of Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante Ultra Short-Term Bonds vs. Savings & CDs: Which Offer Better Returns? When looking for a place to park short-term funds, you may often turn to bank... Counter Checks Fees Compared at the Top U.S. Banks Photo of Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante Counter Checks Fees Compared at the Top U.S. Banks Counter checks come into play when you have a checking account, you need to write... Cash-Equivalent Accounts: The Safest Types of Investments Learn about the cash-equivalent accounts that act as the safe, low-risk investments that provide consistent returns or generate stable income. Morgan Stanley Access Investing Review 2023: Option to Choose Thematic Portfolios Review the features and fees of the Morgan Stanley Access Investing robo-advisory service, which offers general and thematic investment portfolios. My Chase Loan & My Chase Plan: Should You Use These Financing Options? Photo of Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante My Chase Loan & My Chase Plan: Should You Use These Financing Options? Chase plans to offer two new types of financing options to existing credit card... Western Union vs. MoneyGram: Which Is Cheaper for Wire Transfers? Photo of Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante Western Union vs. MoneyGram: Which Is Cheaper for Wire Transfers? When you're sending money to family or friends via a wire transfer, you want to... Why Your Credit Scores Can Vary So Much at Equifax, Experian, TransUnion Learn why credit scores from TransUnion, Experian and Equifax credit bureaus can be so different — sometimes hundreds of points apart. Compare the Deposit Cutoff Times at the Top U.S. Banks Find out what the cutoff times are for making check and cash deposits at the biggest U.S. Learn about when funds are available and when checks will clear. How to Invest for a 5% Annual Return (or Higher) in Your Retirement Portfolio Photo of Kevin Mercadante Kevin Mercadante How to Invest for a 5% Annual Return (or Higher) in Your Retirement Portfolio As an investor, it's important to aim for a 5% annual return at a...