Credit
Although most adults have a credit report (and credit score), few people actually check them regularly. Or at all. Even worse, plenty of Americans have no idea what these things say about their spending habits, accumulated debt, or financial future. Some surveys show that only about one-third of Americans have bothered to check their credit […]
8 minute read
Credit
Knowing your credit score is one thing. Understanding exactly how it’s calculated is another thing altogether. If you’re curious about how your credit score is determined, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll show you exactly how companies such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion come up with those numbers — you know, the ones that […]
5 minute read
Credit
When times are hard, those who prey on the financially stressed seem to multiple. Unfortunately, the current global economic situation has created a ripe breeding ground for credit card fraud. According to the Wall Street Journal, attempted credit card fraud was up 35% in April, in terms of dollar value. That compared to the same […]
7 minute read
Credit
The finance world — like almost everything else — went through a major upheaval in early 2020. Credit card rewards were not immune the chaos caused by the stay-at-home orders and business closures. If you use a rewards based credit card, whether it’s cash back, points, or travel miles, you might be affected. Here are […]
5 minute read
Credit
You probably know that your credit score is an important aspect of your finances. Your credit score goes beyond just helping you get a loan with a good interest rate. It can also influence your insurance rates and even impact what happens when you sign up for internet or a cell phone plan. Knowing your […]
7 minute read
Credit
Perhaps you’ve heard that you should never pay your mortgage payment with a credit card. We feel it’s important to point out that this advice is absolutely correct in almost every case. It almost never makes sense to pay your mortgage payment with a credit card. Not only are you merely transferring the debt from spot […]
4 minute read
Credit
You hear a lot about how important it is to have good credit. It may not always seem fair that your finances are so closely tied to this abstract number. However, the entire credit industry is going to use your credit score to determine your financial reputation. That reputation will determine how they treat you. […]
9 minute read
Credit
Receiving a denial on your credit card application can put quite a damper on things. Rest assured, though, that this decision isn’t necessarily set in stone. There are actions you can take to potentially overturn your rejection and receive that new card. You should consider contacting the reconsideration line of whatever financial institution denied your […]
6 minute read
Credit
Credit cards are financially floating many individuals and families these days — especially in the wake of the pandemic. However, they are costly sources of borrowing money. It’s more crucial than ever to keep an eye on your expenses and cut down on spending. Living within your means and not taking on extra credit debt […]
6 minute read
Credit
Freezing your credit is one of the biggest and best weapons in your arsenal against the specter of identity theft. However, it seems very few people know you can even do such a thing — let alone when it makes the most sense to use it. Basically, a credit freeze makes it impossible for anyone […]
4 minute read
Credit
As the balance on your credit cards increases, your anxiety about paying them off may as well. However, you should know that there are plenty of strategies you can implement to get that credit card debt back down to a manageable level. Part of understanding how you should properly attack this debt stems from knowing […]
5 minute read
Credit
Hopefully you already know the basics of improving and maintaining a good credit score. Pay your bills on time, don’t max out your credit, and keep an eye on your credit report for inaccuracies. However, beyond these basic perennial good habits, there are some other, more surprising ways you can improve your score. For example, […]
8 minute read
Credit
Bankruptcy should always be viewed as a last resort. After all, the consequences of declaring bankruptcy are severe. They will impact many aspects of your financial life for years to come. The stress caused by this event can also adversely impact your mental health. Despite those consequences, bankruptcy is an all too common occurrence these […]
6 minute read
Credit
There is a lot of financial misinformation out in the world. You can head online and read plenty of myths surrounding money and how it works. One of the subjects that suffers from the most glaring misunderstanding is your credit score (and your credit report, alongside it). The financial industry and government regulators have made […]
5 minute read
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