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The Blog
By Steven Ely Unless they are in trouble, most people don't wake up in the morning thinking about credit. Not even me, and I've spent much of my care...
Many Americans will be getting tax refunds from the government, and tax refunds are "found money" -- money you forgot was yours. It's as if the government lifted up your couch cushions and found a few hundred dollars.
If you've had a headache trying to understand your own credit score, pass the aspirin; you aren't the only one.
here's something so inspiring and invigorating about a spring cleaning -- as if we're getting a fresh start on the year. It's also a good time to remember to do a spring cleaning for your credit score. Just like our homes, our credit reports can start to get a little dusty from winter hibernation.
Jim is careful to always pay his bills on time, keep his credit balances low and has a pretty good credit score. Rick, his roommate, is quite the opposite.
If you're having trouble acting in your best financial interest at all times, you're not alone. And you've come to the right place. We've provided resources to help you tackle the biggest financial issues Americans said were standing in their way.
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) recently announced a policy change in how they will treat mortgage loan applications for those whose credit histories contain unpaid collection accounts.
While your payment history ranks as the most important piece of your credit score, it can take months or even years to dramatically improve it. Looking for a quicker fix? Focus on what's known as your credit utilization rate.
Like Suze Orman says, for some people having a credit card handy is like having an open bottle of booze for an alcoholic. You just can't leave it alone. I like to think I have more self-restraint than Lindsay Lohan at an open bar, but could I trust myself with an extra credit card?
Nearly three in four Americans report having frozen or cut back their use of credit cards in recent times. But of the more than one in four who are spending more on their cards these days, more than half report using their credit cards to help cover basic needs.
This year Duke and Missouri were the culprits for obliterating my brackets. So in the spirit of March Madness, I thought I would share a few lesser known tips for keeping your credit score from looking like this year's busted brackets.
Federal law allows government agencies and businesses that have a legitimate need for your credit information to access your credit report before doing business with you or after you become a customer -- even without your permission.
What you don't know about credit can hurt your personal finances on many levels. So here are seven more lies about credit scores that you should never fall for.
An inquiry is when YOU ask for your credit to be pulled. So if you go for a mortgage or a car loan or a new credit card or a line of credit, you authorize your credit to be pulled and that is a considered to be an "inquiry" by the credit reporting agencies.
Even if you've been through difficult credit problems, it's important to establish current, positive credit references that can boost your credit scores over time.
It should come as no surprise that if you've fallen behind on your bills, you may be hearing from debt collectors. But there are things they aren't likely to tell you, and knowing these things can make all the difference in resolving your debts.
