credit

4 Things That Can Lower Your Credit Score Temporarily

Don’t let these factors knock points off your hard-earned credit score.

Deb Hipp

4 minute read

credit

Time Heals These 4 Credit Score Wounds

Good news: Those negative marks on your credit report aren’t a life sentence.

Deb Hipp

4 minute read

credit

6 Ways to Get to an 800 Credit Score Faster

Still working on excellent credit? Take these steps to snare that coveted 800 score sooner.

Deb Hipp

8 minute read

credit

How Many Credit Cards Should You Have for Good Credit?

It all depends on how you use credit and what makes sense for your financial life.

Laura Adams, Quick and Dirty Tips

4 minute read

credit

Take These 7 Steps to Dispute Credit Report Information

Here’s what you need to know to remove inaccuracies from your credit report.

Deb Hipp

7 minute read

credit

5 Steps to Take When You’re Denied Credit

Just because one creditor didn’t find you creditworthy doesn’t mean you should give up.

Deb Hipp

8 minute read

credit

Here’s What Happens When You Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit

Should you take this step to keep fraudsters from getting loans and credit cards in your name?

Deb Hipp

6 minute read

credit

Don’t Make These 7 Credit Card Mistakes

Get the most from your credit card by steering clear of these common credit card missteps.

Deb Hipp

4 minute read

credit

5 Factors That Can Lower Your Credit Score

Here’s what you need to know so you don’t unwittingly lower your credit score.

Deb Hipp

8 minute read

credit

Here’s What Happens When You Freeze Your Credit

Placing a security freeze can ice out fraudsters trying to get credit under your name.

Deb Hipp

6 minute read

credit

7 Things to Know Before Adding or Becoming a Credit Card Authorized User

Adding or becoming an authorized user can affect your credit in positive or negative ways.

Deb Hipp

3 minute read

credit

8 Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Improve Bad Credit

Don’t let these common missteps trip you up on the road to good credit.

Deb Hipp

4 minute read

credit

6 Reasons You Could Be Denied Even with Excellent Credit

Even if you have good credit, approval of your credit card or loan app isn’t always a sure bet.

Deb Hipp

5 minute read

TV Television feet up watching Netflix on tv

COVID

How to Raise Your Credit Score During a Pandemic – While Being a Couch Potato

Experian Boost will now reward you for watching Netflix. Expect others to follow.

Howard Dvorkin

9 minute read

credit

5 Signs Good Credit Could Be Within Your Reach

If you see these signs appearing on the credit horizon, you could be close to a higher credit score.

Deb Hipp

6 minute read

credit

6 Ways to Build Credit When You Have No Credit History

You can establish a credit history sooner than you think with these credit-building methods.

Deb Hipp

4 minute read

bankruptcy

Ways to Build Credit After Filing Bankruptcy

Filing bankruptcy doesn’t have to hold you back from rebuilding your credit.

Deb Hipp

5 minute read

credit

6 Times Your Credit Score Matters More Than Ever

Your credit score and information on your credit report matters to more people than you think.

Deb Hipp

8 minute read

credit

Should You Get an Unsecured Line of Credit?

An unsecured line of credit could help you get by in a pinch without placing your home at risk.

Deb Hipp

3 minute read

COVID

7 Questions to Ask Before Requesting a Credit Limit Increase During COVID-19

Thinking about raising your card’s credit limit? Ask yourself these soul-searching questions first.

Deb Hipp

3 minute read

credit

How Financially Resilient Are You During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

FICO’s new index offers banks and lenders new insight into your financial resilience potential.

Deb Hipp

7 minute read

credit

Credit Builder Loans Pros and Cons: Are they Worth It?

Could they raise your score by 60 points or drop it by three? Boosting your credit score is neither tricky nor sexy. It takes organization and discipline.

Steve Rhode

9 minute read

COVID

How can I Protect My Credit Score During COVID-19?

Don’t allow your credit to take a hit from these crucial credit score components.

Deb Hipp

10 minute read

credit

6 Things a Credit Check Tells Potential Employers

Red flags on a pre-employment credit check can scare away the employer of your dreams.

Deb Hipp

7 minute read

COVID

6 Ways to Protect Your Credit During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Here’s how to keep your credit rating in good health, even in scary financial times.

Deb Hipp

5 minute read

credit

5 Ways Credit Counseling Can Help You Pay Off Debt

A nonprofit credit counseling agency can help you pay off debt and manage money better.

Deb Hipp

4 minute read

credit

5 Effective Ways to Get a Loan with Bad Credit

If you have bad credit or no credit, getting a loan may be a challenge, let alone a loan with a manageable interest rate.

Laura Adams, Quick and Dirty Tips

9 minute read

credit

7 Steps to Repair Your Credit and Increase Your Score

Getting your credit back on track is easier than you think. Here’s how to get started.

Deb Hipp

9 minute read

auto

9 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a New Car on Impulse

Just because you want that brand-new car doesn’t mean it’s good for your finances.

Deb Hipp

8 minute read

Happy young man wearing glasses and smiling

budgeting

8 Ways to Get Your Finances on Track in Your 30s

Made some money blunders in your youth? Here’s how to fix them now.

Angela Colley

3 minute read

credit

7 Strategies to Rebuild Your Credit After Getting Divorced

The period after a divorce isn’t just a time for emotional recovery – it’s a time for financial recovery, too.

John Boitnott

7 minute read

budgeting

8 Financial Mistakes in Your 20s That Can Haunt You Later

Financial missteps in your 20s can make going bald or wearing mom jeans the least of your worries later.

Deb Hipp

5 minute read

credit

8 Reasons Your Credit Score Dropped and What to Do

Did your credit scores drop for no apparent reason? Use these wise tips to boost your scores quickly so an unexpected credit score dip doesn’t hurt your finances.