Articles by Will Osagiede, CFP®, AWMA®
Browse OnWealth articles written by Will Osagiede, CFP®, AWMA®.
RSS feedCredit Cards
How to Use a Starter Credit Card When the Limit Is Low
Starter cards often come with small limits, which means ordinary spending can crowd the account faster than beginners expect. The cleaner pattern is small planned charges, early payments when needed, and paying the statement balance in full.
Home
How Much Should You Budget for Home Maintenance?
A home-maintenance budget works best when it reflects the age, condition, and upkeep burden of the property rather than leaning on one percentage rule alone.
Home
How Much Cash Do You Need to Buy a House?
The cash you need to buy a house is not just the down payment. It is the full closing-day number plus the money you should not burn through before ownership begins.
Credit Cards
Credit Builder Loan vs. Secured Credit Card: Which Is Better for Building Credit?
A credit-builder loan is often the better fit when you want a fixed payment and forced savings, while a secured card is usually the better fit when you need a usable credit line and practice managing revolving credit.
Credit Cards
Cash Back vs. Travel Rewards Credit Cards: Which Fits You Better?
Cash back is usually the stronger fit when you want simple, dependable value, while travel rewards make more sense when you can use the perks consistently and manage the extra rules without letting them distort your spending.
Credit Cards
Can You Build Credit Without Paying Interest on a Credit Card?
Yes. You do not need to carry a balance or pay interest to build credit with a credit card. The cleaner path is usually small charges, on-time payments, and paying the statement balance in full.
Mortgages
ARM vs. Fixed Mortgage: How to Think About the Tradeoff
An adjustable-rate mortgage can offer a lower starting rate, while a fixed-rate mortgage offers more payment certainty. The right comparison starts with time horizon, payment stability, and worst-case affordability instead of rate alone.
Loans
BNPL vs. Credit Card: Which Is Safer for Short-Term Spending?
BNPL and credit cards can both delay payment, but the safer choice for short-term spending depends on fees, interest, repayment structure, dispute protections, and how disciplined you are with debt.
Loans
How Buy Now, Pay Later Works and When It Can Be Risky
Buy now, pay later can make a purchase feel easier, but the real cost depends on the payment structure, fees, missed-payment risk, and how the plan fits your budget.
Student Loans
Should You Refinance Student Loans?
Refinancing student loans can lower your rate or simplify repayment, but refinancing federal loans into a private loan can also permanently give up protections that may matter more than the new payment.
Student Loans
How Student Loan Repayment Options Work After Graduation
Student loan repayment after graduation depends on loan type, grace-period timing, repayment-plan choice, and whether the monthly bill actually fits your budget before payments begin.
Student Loans
Student Loan Deferment vs. Forbearance: Which Hurts Less?
Deferment and forbearance can both pause a student loan payment, but they do not usually cost the same. The better choice depends on loan type, interest treatment, and whether the payment problem is temporary or a sign that a lower-payment plan is really the better answer.
Newsletter
Get clear financial guidance
Get one weekly email with practical money guidance, useful next steps, and none of the noise.
Zero spam. Just clear, honest financial guidance.