If you’re like most people, you don’t think much about your credit score. You probably know that a good credit score can help you qualify for a loan or get a better rate on a credit card, but those aren’t…
I’ve spent the last few months researching how to rebuild your credit for an educational series I’m writing. That’s why I was intrigued by CreditStrong, a service that helps you rebuild your credit by giving you specialized loans or lines…
Credit Karma recently unveiled a consumer guarantee (called the Credit Karma Guarantee) that promises to pay you $50 if the credit card issuer denies your application for a credit card recommended for you by Credit Karma. In other words, Credit…
Quick Look Credit bureaus, also known as credit reporting agencies, collect and report on consumer credit and payment information. The three major credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. There are many other credit bureaus, some of which collect very…
Americans’ credit scores have improved dramatically over the past decade. Even the brief but sharp COVID-19 recession couldn’t stop the upward progress. In fact, credit scores actually jumped in 2020 and 2021 as consumers pared back spending and paid off…
When I was just starting out in my 20s, I applied for a Discover card and got rejected because my credit score wasn’t high enough. Later, I applied for a secured credit card and began building my credit history one…
A bad credit score hurts you in many ways. It makes it harder to get approved for a loan, rent an apartment, and get a job. You pay more interest on loans you do get. Insurance is pricier. It can…
Your parents warned you about all the missteps they made early in their credit journey. From facing foreclosure on their first house to racking up hundreds of dollars in late fees to the electric company, their credit score wasn’t always…
Lenders prefer borrowers with good credit scores. It’s a fact of life — and some lenders deal only with folks who have good credit. But loans aren’t the only financial products your credit score may have a bearing on. Poor…
Your Social Security Number (SSN) is one of the most important private details you have, and it’s worth protecting. It’s an identifier that tracks how much money you earn during your lifetime, helping the federal government calculate your Social Security…
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