A credit card can feel like a key, but for many people, it’s a key that doesn’t fit the lock. When credit is bad, fair, or simply thin, approvals get harder, and the cards that do approve often come with strings attached.

That’s where milestone card credit usually enters the picture. In plain terms, it means using the Milestone Mastercard as a starter or rebuild card to help transform credit over time through reported payments and responsible use. It can work, but it can also get expensive fast if the cardholder carries a balance or accepts an offer with heavy fees.

This guide explains what the Milestone card is for, how it can help build credit, what the real costs look like in January 2026, how to use it safely in the first 90 days, and what to compare before applying.

What Milestone card credit is, and who it is really for

The Milestone Mastercard is an unsecured Mastercard often marketed to people who are rebuilding credit or starting over after mistakes. “Unsecured” matters because there’s usually no upfront deposit required, which can make it appealing to someone who doesn’t have extra cash set aside.

The card’s main value is simple: it can report account activity to the three major credit bureaus. If payments are on time and balances stay low, that steady record can help a person transform credit in a measurable way over months.

Milestone is also known for approving some applicants with low scores, but approvals and terms vary by offer and by applicant profile. Many people shopping in this category are in the poor to fair credit range, and the card is designed to serve that group. It’s not a “rewards and perks” card first. It’s a “get back in the door” card.

Unsecured card basics, how it builds credit over time

A quick comparison keeps it clear:

• Unsecured card: no deposit, the issuer takes more risk, fees and APR can be high.
• Secured card: a deposit is required, approval is often easier, fees can be lower.

Either type can help build credit because what matters is what gets reported. Credit bureaus typically receive monthly updates showing whether the account paid on time and what balance was used relative to the limit.

A simple example: someone uses the card for a $30 phone bill, waits for the statement, then pays the full statement balance by the due date. Month after month, that’s a clean pattern. It won’t fix credit overnight, but it can start to transform credit the same way a daily walk can improve fitness: small actions, repeated.

Typical starting limits and why low limits can still help

Starting limits on credit-builder cards are often modest. With Milestone, many offers start around $300, and some versions may go higher. Some marketing and reviews also mention higher ceilings (including up to $1,000 on certain offers), but the most common starting experience is still on the low side.

Low limits can still help because credit building isn’t about spending big. It’s about staying stable.

A person with a $300 limit can still show strong habits by keeping the balance small. A common target is staying under 30% utilization (under $90 on a $300 limit), and many people see better results keeping it even lower, like under 10% when possible. High utilization can drag down scores, even if the bill gets paid on time.

Milestone card fees and APR, the real cost of building credit

Milestone card credit can work, but the cost structure is where people get tripped up. Before accepting an offer, the cardholder should check the exact pricing and terms on the offer page, since Milestone uses different fee tiers for different applicants.

Here’s what many applicants see in recent disclosures and major reviews as of January 2026: very high APR, plus annual and or monthly account fees depending on the offer. The most expensive mistake is carrying a balance, because interest grows quickly on top of any account fees.

Annual fee, possible monthly fees, and other common charges

Milestone offers vary, but these ranges are commonly seen:

One detail that surprises people: on some offers, the annual fee is charged at opening. If the limit is $300 and the annual fee is $75, the usable credit may start closer to $225. That makes utilization harder to control unless spending stays very small.

For a more detailed breakdown of how these fees are described across consumer reviews, see the Milestone Mastercard review on Credit Karma.

High APR and penalty APR, why paying in full matters

APR is the interest rate charged when a cardholder doesn’t pay the statement balance in full. If the cardholder pays the full statement balance by the due date, interest on purchases is usually avoided. If they carry a balance, interest begins piling on.

Recent disclosures and major reviews commonly show a purchase APR around 35.9% variable for Milestone offers. Some offers also list a penalty APR that can be the same as the regular APR after a late payment, which means there may not be a “higher” penalty rate, but the costs still spike because late fees hit and interest keeps accruing.

A basic way to think about it: fees are the cover charge, APR is the meter running in the background. The safest rule is simple: pay the statement balance in full and treat the card like a payment tool, not a borrowing tool.

How to use a Milestone card to transform credit without getting trapped in debt

Used carefully, Milestone card credit can build a clean payment history and help stabilize utilization. Used casually, it can become a high-cost habit.

The goal is not to “use it a lot.” The goal is to create boring, repeatable wins that show up on credit reports.

A simple first 90 days plan: one small bill, low balance, full payment

A practical approach is to put one predictable expense on the card and keep it small. Examples include a streaming subscription, a small gas budget, or one utility bill.

The cardholder can then pay the statement balance in full every month. That creates a steady on-time payment streak and avoids interest.

Quick math with a $300 limit:

• Monthly charge: $25 to $60
• Utilization range: about 8% to 20%
• Payment plan: wait for the statement to cut, then pay the full statement balance before the due date

That’s enough activity to report, but not enough spending to invite trouble. If the cardholder keeps this pattern for several months, it can help transform credit in a way that’s visible on most scoring models.

Set up autopay, alerts, and a due date routine to avoid late payments

One late payment can do real damage. It can lower scores, trigger fees, and make rebuilding take longer.

A basic system keeps it simple:

• Autopay at least the minimum so a missed due date is less likely.
• Phone alerts for statement posted and payment due.
• A personal routine like “pay within 48 hours of the statement” helps reduce stress.

For someone with irregular income, paying early can be safer than waiting. Paying early also reduces the chance that a bank delay or a busy week causes a late payment.

Keep utilization low the easy way (even with a $300 limit)

Utilization is one of the fastest ways to accidentally hurt progress. With a low limit, normal life can push the balance up quickly.

A simple method is a mid-month payment. If the cardholder spends $80 on a $300 limit, that’s about 27% utilization. If they pay $50 before the statement closes, the statement may show closer to $30, which is 10%.

This matters because a person can pay on time every month and still see slow results if the balance keeps reporting high. Keeping reported balances low helps the card do what it’s supposed to do: transform credit without adding debt pressure.

Better options to compare before applying, and when to move on from Milestone

Milestone can be a bridge, but many people shouldn’t live on that bridge for years. The decision usually comes down to one question: is the cardholder paying extra fees because they truly need an unsecured approval, or because they haven’t compared other credit-building paths?

Common alternatives include secured cards with no annual fee, credit-builder loans, or becoming an authorized user on a trusted person’s account. All can build credit, and some do it with less cost.

Milestone vs a no annual fee secured card, what usually wins

Milestone’s main advantage is that it often doesn’t require a deposit. That matters for someone who can’t spare $200 to $500 upfront.

A secured card often wins on cost, though, because many secured cards charge no annual fee and still report to the bureaus. The credit-building mechanics are similar: small purchases, on-time payments, low balances.

A simple decision guide:

• If a deposit isn’t possible and the cardholder can pay in full every month, Milestone may be a short-term option.
• If a deposit is possible, a no-annual-fee secured card is often cheaper and easier to keep long-term.

Signs it is time to upgrade to a cheaper card

A rebuild card should come with an exit plan. Clear signs it’s time to move on include:

• The credit score is rising and the cardholder starts getting pre-qualified for lower-cost cards.
• The cardholder needs a higher limit, but the Milestone offer isn’t improving.
• Annual or monthly fees feel like a constant drain.
• The cardholder wants a card they can keep long-term without paying just to hold it.

Pre-qualification tools can help people compare options with less impact than a full application, depending on the issuer. For a broad, consumer-friendly view of Milestone’s costs and how it compares to other accessible cards, see NerdWallet’s Milestone Credit Card review.

If an upgrade is approved, keeping the old account open can sometimes help credit age, but only if the old card doesn’t have a punishing monthly fee and the cardholder can manage it responsibly.

Conclusion

Milestone card credit can help transform credit when it’s used for small purchases, low utilization, and full on-time payments. The tradeoff is cost, since many offers come with annual and or monthly fees, plus a very high APR that makes carrying a balance expensive.

A smart next step is straightforward: read the exact offer terms, compare at least one secured alternative, set autopay, keep reported balances low, and choose an upgrade point. Used as a short-term tool instead of a long-term habit, the card has a better chance of doing what most applicants want, helping them rebuild and move forward.

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SAN FRANCISCO – Oracle Corporation, the database and cloud computing giant valued at more than $550 billion, has shifted its corporate headquarters from California to Texas. The news did not come with a press conference or a bold announcement. It appeared in a single line inside a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing released on a Friday evening, a timing that tends to limit attention.

Oracle began in 1977 in Santa Clara under the name Software Development Laboratories. For more than 40 years, it has built its identity in the Golden State. Its well-known cylindrical campus in Redwood Shores, Redwood City, became part of Silicon Valley’s visual story.

Co-founded by billionaire Larry Ellison, the company grew into a major employer across California and a steady source of tax revenue and local spending. After 43 years, Oracle is moving its headquarters, pointing to employee flexibility in a post-pandemic workplace.

Oracle kept its statement short, saying it is “implementing a more flexible employee work location policy and has changed its Corporate Headquarters from Redwood City, California to Austin, Texas.” There was no long explanation, no executive statement, and no analyst call tied to the move.

The wording fits with the remote-work shift across tech. Oracle said it will keep supporting key office hubs, including sites in California, while giving employees more choice in where they work.

Some critics read the quiet release as intentional. By placing the update in routine regulatory paperwork right before the weekend, Oracle reduced the immediate media surge that often follows big corporate moves. Texas Governor Greg Abbott praised the decision on social media, calling Texas “the land of business, jobs, and opportunity.” California leaders have been far less vocal.

Newsom Stays Silent

As of press time, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has not issued a public statement about Oracle’s headquarters change. People familiar with the administration describe frustration, along with a focus on California’s broader economy. One aide, speaking privately, framed these moves as part of a national pattern, not a direct verdict on state policy.

That quiet approach differs from Newsom’s recent public defense of California’s economy. He has pointed to strong tourism spending and the state’s large share of Fortune 500 companies.

Newsom has also argued that California still draws more investment than it loses. Still, Oracle’s departure, after moves by Hewlett Packard Enterprise and well-known relocations tied to Elon Musk, gives fresh energy to critics.

They often point to high taxes, heavy regulation, and a steep cost of living. California’s top personal income tax rate of 13.3% is a frequent talking point. Oracle, however, linked its decision to workplace flexibility.

Part of a Broader Shift

Oracle joins a growing list of tech companies that are rethinking long-term ties to California. Hewlett-Packard Enterprise moved its headquarters to Houston earlier this month. Elon Musk relocated to Texas and has taken public shots at California policies.

Smaller companies have made similar choices, drawn by Texas’s lack of a state income tax and its business-friendly reputation.

Austin also isn’t new ground for Oracle. The company opened a campus there in 2018, and the city has continued to attract tech talent and investment.

Even with the headquarters change, Oracle still has a major presence in California. Thousands of workers are likely to stay, whether in offices or working remotely. Real estate watchers expect the Redwood Shores site to remain active, though parts of it could be subleased or repurposed over time.

What It Means for California’s Economy

Losing a headquarters label often carries more symbolism than immediate job losses. Many corporate moves shift mailing addresses and executive offices more than day-to-day staffing. California also remains a global tech center, home to Apple, Google, and Meta. It leads the nation in venture capital and ranks high in patent activity.

Even so, the move hits during ongoing debates about housing costs, homelessness, and energy prices. Groups such as the Bay Area Council have pushed for reforms, warning that the state’s reputation with business could weaken over time. Others argue that California’s diverse economy, talent base, and quality of life still make it hard to replace.

Oracle’s decision reflects a workplace reality where a physical headquarters matters less than it once did. For Texas, it’s a clear win and another boost for Austin’s push to stand alongside older tech centers. For California, it’s another reminder that companies now have more options, and many are willing to act on them.

As one longtime Silicon Valley voice put it, companies may relocate, but innovation sticks around when people support it. Whether Governor Newsom addresses Oracle’s move directly remains unclear, but the brief SEC filing made the shift official.

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ATLANTA, Ga – Cable news is a tough business, and CNN is feeling it. The channel that helped build 24-hour news is now dealing with some of its lowest ratings ever. At the same time, it’s facing loud claims of left-wing bias and a parent company that seems more focused on reshuffling assets than protecting CNN’s future. As 2025 wraps up, CNN keeps losing viewers, and the chatter about a sale or spin-off hasn’t slowed. So far, no clear buyer has stepped up.

The audience drop is hard to ignore. CNN spent much of 2025 posting some of its weakest viewership numbers on record. The fall got worse after the post-election slowdown that followed the 2024 presidential race.

In July 2025, CNN averaged just 497,000 total primetime viewers, a 42% decline from July 2024, based on Nielsen data cited by Cord Cutters News. The slide continued into the third quarter, with primetime down 42% year over year. The 25-54 age group fell even faster, dropping 58%.

Every big cable news channel took a hit in 2025 after the election spikes of 2024. Still, CNN’s losses stand out. In many months, primetime sat around 400,000 to 500,000 viewers. Fox News, by contrast, often pulled in audiences in the millions. Some former CNN staffers called the July figures “disastrously bad.” By mid-year, the network had reached fresh lows for the post-inauguration period.

Big trends are part of the story. Cord-cutting keeps growing, streaming keeps expanding, and younger viewers often get news from YouTube and X. Even so, CNN’s steeper fall suggests the problem isn’t just the industry. Many viewers also seem worn out by the network’s tone and editorial choices.

Bias Perception Keeps Pushing Viewers Away

A major driver of CNN’s decline is trust, or the lack of it. CNN has long been tagged as left-leaning by media bias trackers. Outlets like AllSides and Media Bias/Fact Check rate CNN as Lean Left or Left-Center, pointing to editorial framing and on-air commentary that often reads as more liberal.

That view isn’t limited to critics on social media. John Malone, a major Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) stakeholder, has also blasted what he calls CNN’s “embedded” liberal bias.

Polling has shown a sharp partisan split. Many Democrats say they trust CNN. Most Republicans say they don’t, and many see it as hostile to their views. That divide has pushed moderates and conservatives away, and it has helped speed up the ratings collapse. Efforts by past leadership teams to soften the network’s approach didn’t land well either. Those moves drew heat from the left and still didn’t bring back the viewers CNN had already lost.

CNN now has to operate in a time when trust in the news is already low. For a growing group of former viewers, the network’s perceived far-left tilt has become a deal-breaker, and the audience keeps shrinking.

Warner Bros. Discovery Upheaval Adds More Pressure

CNN’s problems aren’t happening in isolation. Its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, has been in turmoil. In late 2025, WBD said it was exploring a full sale after receiving multiple bids.

Netflix surfaced as a buyer for the studios and HBO assets, while leaving out CNN and other cable channels. Those cable properties would be spun into a new company called Discovery Global.

Another bidder, Paramount Skydance, came in aggressively. After finishing its own merger in August 2025, Paramount Skydance launched a hostile takeover bid for the full WBD package, CNN included. Reports said Paramount CEO David Ellison, backed by his father Larry Ellison (a Trump ally), offered signals to regulators and political influencers that CNN could see changes. WBD’s board rejected Paramount’s proposals, calling them too low and too uncertain, and stuck with the partial Netflix deal instead.

President Trump also weighed in, saying it was “imperative” for CNN to be sold separately or included in any deal, while criticizing its current leadership. Even with all the noise, CNN still hasn’t found a clear, committed buyer of its own. That raises a basic question about how much the network is worth in a cable market that keeps shrinking.

CNN: A Hard Asset to Sell

Media analysts say CNN has two big problems as a sales target. First is brand baggage. Second is the steady drop in linear TV money. CNN has promoted its digital reach and points to growth in streaming subscriptions, but the cable side still brings in a large share of revenue, and that part is sliding.

In recent years, revenue has fallen by hundreds of millions of dollars, tied to weaker ad sales and lower carriage fees. That makes CNN a harder bet for buyers who don’t want to inherit a declining business model.

There are also a number of complications. Pairing CNN with CBS News under Paramount has raised concerns about antitrust issues and newsroom independence. If CNN stands alone, experts expect more restructuring, deeper cost cuts, or another spin-off plan down the road.

What’s Next for CNN?

CNN’s path forward is cloudy. CEO Mark Thompson has tried to push a stronger focus on digital, including subscription options and a bigger emphasis on online growth. CNN also says it remains the top multiplatform news brand, pointing to strong digital engagement and solid performance from some original programming. Partnerships, including work with prediction market Kalshi for data integration, show the company is still trying new ideas.

Still, the pressure is rising. If the WBD split moves ahead, Discovery Global (with CNN inside it) could face demands to cut spending fast or find a buyer later. Layoffs have hurt morale, and the network has to balance a deeply polarized audience without driving away the viewers it still has.

Some insiders think a sale could reset the brand with new leadership and a more even tone. Others worry CNN will keep sliding as streaming pulls more attention away from cable. One former executive summed up the core challenge: CNN needs to reach people where they already are, online, or risk fading out.

CNN’s story now reads like a warning for legacy media. A network that once defined breaking news is fighting to stay relevant while politics, technology, and public trust keep shifting. In 2026, more disruption looks likely for a channel that used to feel untouchable.

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