What is a good interest rate?
You may have heard that there are only two kinds of people: those who pay interest and those who earn it. In reality, we all likely end up occupying both sides of that equation. The first thing to know about borrowing money and paying interest is that how much you pay depends on your credit…
Read MoreHow should I pay off medical debt that’s been sent to a collection agency?
“My debt from an unpaid urgent care bill has been sent to a collection agency. What is the best way to go about paying off this debt?” Submitted by Jessica J. Medical debt is a huge financial stressors for many people. Taking action early is the best way to get it under control. Double-check your…
Read MoreFixing Credit to Buy a Home: Credit repair tips and guide
My husband and I want to buy a house for first-time buyers. How can we fix our credit? Submitted by Ferlenzia M. Owning a home is a dream that many people have. To make that dream a reality, most people get a mortgage loan. To qualify for that type of loan, you need steady income,…
Read MoreHow do I find my credit score?
How do I find out my credit score? Who wants to know it, and what factors influence its change? Submitted by anonymous. A credit score is a representation of how someone managed their debts. It is meant to help creditors understand our financial responsibility. Payments on our loans and balances on our credit cards are…
Read MoreHow can I get a loan for a cheap used car?
Hello, Saundra! How do I go about finding and choosing a certain type of loan (if one exists) that would enable me to quickly buy a cheap used car (around a couple thousand) that I could be able to pay back (with no job/income) with only the money I have saved from last semester’s student…
Read More6 Steps for When Your Credit Is Denied
First, let’s start with the facts. There’s a widespread fallacy that a score determines whether or not you get credit. The truth is that lenders use a variety of factors to make credit decisions. These factors include your FICO scores, but also take into account your income, your employment history, and your credit history. This…
Read MoreHow to Rebound from a Credit Slip
Credit slips can happen to anyone – and although you may panic when you see that number go in the wrong direction, sometimes even the best financial decisions may bring about a credit slip. So dust yourself off and congratulate yourself on being proactive in checking your credit score and taking actions to help it…
Read MoreWhy Do Different Companies Show Different Credit Scores?
Why do different companies show different credit scores? Credit Karma showed my score 70 points higher than the banks! Submitted by StillLearning. Ah, the mysteries of credit scores. Let’s get the nuts and bolts down, then we can talk about the best approach to getting the information you need. There are several credit reporting companies…
Read MoreWhat’s holding me back from getting approved for a credit card?
What’s holding me back from getting approved for a credit card? Submitted by anonymous. There are many reasons that credit card companies deny an application for a credit card. They review your application and your credit history to assess if you have stable income and how likely you are to pay them back (on time).…
Read MoreWhat Is a Credit Report?
Your credit report is a summary of all of your reported financial history. Keep a close eye on this to make sure that it is accurate because it determines your credit score. Checking your credit report is a first step to achieving some of your financial goals. It’s a good idea to check your credit…
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