Senior Editor Barry Bridges has been writing about credit cards, personal loans, mortgages and other personal finance products since 2017. Before joining Bankrate, he was an award-winning newspaper journalist in his native North Carolina. Send your questions about credit cards (and fantasy baseball) to bbridges@bankrate.com.
Barry Bridges
Recent Articles By Barry Bridges
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Loans
9 ways to spot personal loan scams
Follow these tips to avoid falling prey to personal loan fraudsters.
9 MIN READ Nov. 20, 2020
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Auto Loans
5 steps for buying your leased car the smart way
A lease buyout could be a good idea as long as you shop around first.
4 MIN READ Oct. 27, 2020
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Loans
How to consolidate student loans
Learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of student loan consolidation.
6 MIN READ Sep. 1, 2020
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Credit Cards
Use a 0% intro APR card to avoid the Ghost of Interest Future
Afraid of that January 2020 credit card bill? A 0% intro APR card could help you avoid interest on holiday purchases if you use the introductory offer strategically.
2 MIN READ Sep. 23, 2020
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Personal Finance
Charitable giving: How to maximize your donations
Tax law changes have raised the dollar threshold for claiming itemized deductions. Here’s how to make sure your generosity still counts.
4 MIN READ Feb. 3, 2020
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Loans
Other uses for personal loans
See below for other uses for personal loans: Financing Fertility Treatments Andy Bowen March 9, 2018 in Personal Loans Only a few states mandate health insurance coverage for major fertility treatments [...]
52 MIN READ Nov. 6, 2019
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Loans
Alternative Uses for Personal Loans
See the articles below for alternative uses of personal loans. Financing Fertility Treatments Andy Bowen March 9, 2018 in Personal Loans Only a few states mandate health insurance coverage for major [...]
50 MIN READ Aug. 10, 2020
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Loans
Student loan consolidation vs. student loan forgiveness
Student loan consolidation or student loan forgiveness? The choice depends on your career path, your amount of debt and your priorities.
3 MIN READ Nov. 25, 2020
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Banking
Tech-based mortgage lenders: Fast and flourishing
“Fin-Tech” lenders may provide quicker processing times for online mortgage shoppers.
3 MIN READ May. 7, 2019
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Loans
Student Loan Grace Periods: How to Maximize Your Time
Is there a grace period for student loans? In many cases, yes. A loan with a grace period gives you a temporary window before you’re required to start making monthly payments — the key word being temporary. [...]
3 MIN READ Jun. 29, 2018