# Beginner Guides
Save Money on Cell Phone Plans: An Introduction to MVNOs! "5/19 Update: Cricket $40 Plan Data Increased to 4G"
[Mar 1 Update] Cricket Unlimited Plan has dropped from $70/month to $60/month. With a group of five, the price is $40/month/line. Existing users on the original $60 plan may need t...
Overview of Credit Reports and Credit Scores [4/20 Update: Changes Coming to VantageScore Calculations]
The VantageScore model, created jointly by the three major credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax—will change, with the updates taking effect in the second half of 2017....
How Banks Process and Approve Credit Card Applications
What happens after you submit a credit card application? Why are some applicants instantly denied while others are instantly approved? What exactly are banks looking at? In this po...
Stay Calm If Your Hotel Overbooks
In the frequent-traveler world, it’s not only airlines that overbook—hotels do it too....
"Closed for Good, Farewell" Splender Cashback Portal Guide
Splender has finally reached the end of the road, and you can no longer earn cashback through it. If you have more than $9.99 in cashback in your account, it will still be paid out...
How to Apply for a US Credit Card: Step-by-Step Guide
This article walks through the full process of applying for a US credit card, including what documents you need and what key application terms mean, so your application can go as s...
Guide to Connecting in the U.S. and Entering the United States
If you're connecting to the U.S. through the Middle East, take note: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently introduced a new rule banning large electronic devices in car...
Introduction to Free After Rebate (FAR) Deals
A beginner’s guide to Free After Rebate deals, plus a roundup of current FAR offers so you can start profiting too!...
What to Do If You Don’t Receive Your Swagbucks Reward
Even if you follow every step, sometimes a reward still doesn’t post. In this guide, I’ll share how to handle missing rewards and a few tips that may help improve tracking success....
Citi Extended Warranty in Action: How Citi Credit Card Extended Warranty Actually Works
Did your phone die right after the manufacturer warranty expired? Sometimes it really does feel like products are designed to fail the moment coverage ends. Fortunately, extended w...
A Collection of Visa Questions (Transit Visas, Visa-Free Transit, AVR, and More)
Do you need a visa for a connection? Can you enter a country during transit? If your visa has expired, can you still return to the U.S.? And what documents do you need for certain...