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TJ Porter

Contributing writer

TJ Porter has ten years of experience as a personal finance writer covering investing, banking, credit, and more.

TJ's interest in personal finance began as he looked for ways to stretch his own dollars through deals or reward points. In all of his writing, TJ aims to provide easy to understand and actionable content that can help readers make financial choices that work for them.

When he's not writing about finance, TJ enjoys games (of the video and board variety), cooking and reading.

Expertise

Personal Finance

Real Estate

Education

Bachelors in Business Administration from Northeastern University

Recent Articles

Woman walking to her car parked in driveway of her home.

7-minute read

Should you buy a car or house first?

Buying a car before buying a house? Discover how this decision could impact your finances, credit, and home-buying options.

A beautiful house near woods, portraying a serene setting with nature in the background.

5-minute read

Appraised value vs. market value: Knowing the difference

Knowing the difference between appraised value vs. market value is key when purchasing a home. Learn more about the role each plays in real estate transactio...

A teacher helping her student in researching student loans on laptop.

8-minute read

Your guide to buying a house with $100K of student loans

Getting a mortgage and buying a house with $100K of student loans may be possible, but make sure you know these essential financial moves to make before applyin...

Father sitting at a table with his daughter while he shows her the laptop.

5-minute read

Is private mortgage insurance (PMI) tax deductible?

Can you deduct private mortgage insurance (PMI) on your taxes? Learn more about how PMI works and when you can deduct it with Rocket Mortgage’s guide.

Man smiling, drinking coffee and looking at open laptop in kitchen.

5-minute read

Calculating your max mortgage loan amount based on your income

Use our calculator to find the max mortgage based on income. Learn your maximum loan amount and whether you should borrow the full amount.

Senior couple sitting on a couch at home with a laptop and book.

8-minute read

How much is a mortgage on a $300K house?

A mortgage on a $300,000 home could cost you between $1,800 and $2,500 a month just for interest and principal. Here’s how to determine if you can affo...

A woman appraising a home, indicating property assessment or valuation in real estate.

6-minute read

What is a home appraisal and how much does it cost?

A home appraisal determines the value of a home. Learn how this process works for those who are buying, selling or refinancing a home.

A yard with flowers, representing a beautiful home exterior.

6-minute read

What does collateral mean and how does it work?

Collateral is an asset used to secure a loan. If a borrower defaults, the lender can take the collateral to recover losses.

A man calculating debt, potentially involved in financial planning or debt management.

7-minute read

Using a home equity loan to tackle credit card debt: A guide

Tackling credit card debt? Learn about using a home equity loan to pay it down, along with the benefits, drawbacks, and alternative methods.