Do you ever wonder about how applying for new credit affects your credit scores? It’s not uncommon for people to worry that new credit applications can hurt their credit scores, and some even worry that checking their credit could cause their scores to dip as well. The truth is, there’s not as much to worry […]
Read moreWhat Is a Soft Credit Inquiry
You’ve probably heard before that it’s a good idea to review your credit on a regular basis, but some fear that doing so could hurt their credit scores. This fear can prevent people from finding costly credit report mistakes, and it can keep them from really understanding their credit. Thanks to something called a soft […]
Read moreWhat Is a Hard Credit Inquiry
Did you know there are two types of credit inquiries, and that only one of them has an effect on your credit scores? Read on to learn about hard credit inquiries, and why how they can impact your credit scores.
Read moreHard Versus Soft Credit Inquiries: What You Need to Know
Not all credit inquiries are alike. Read here to learn the difference between hard credit inquiries and soft credit inquiries, and to discover which one to pay attention to when closely watching your credit scores.
Read moreHow to Get a Good Credit Score
From the days of our schooling all the way to our annual reviews at work, the concept of being scored can strike fear into the hearts of some of us, and create a sense of competitiveness in others. For most, it’s not exactly inspiring to know that grades are being generated on us while we […]
Read moreWhat Is a “Good” Credit Score?
“Good credit” is a frustratingly vague term that doesn’t help much in the journey to improve your credit scores. That’s why we’ve dug deep to discover what a “good” credit score really is, and what you can do to get one.
Read more20 Cities With the Highest Credit Scores
Credit scores are a key indicator in financial health — not just for an individual, but for a local population as a whole. Read here to see how your city fares.
Read more20 Cities With the Lowest Credit Scores
Financial struggles can feel painfully isolating, but it’s important to remember you’re not alone. Here’s a look at the cities where residents have the lowest credit scores on average.
Read moreThe States With the Least Foreclosures
For the home seller banking on high property values, numerous foreclosures in the area can stand in the way. Read here to see where your state stands in terms of foreclosures around the nation.
Read moreThe States With the Most Foreclosures
Homeownership is a long-term commitment. But even if you’re financially stable when you buy a home, there’s no guarantee you’ll remain that way for the 15- or 30-year term of your mortgage loan. One in every 1,882 homes is in foreclosure in the U.S., according to August 2018 data from RealtyTrac. That’s 555,120 homes total, […]
Read more7 Surprising Ways You Can Bounce a Check
We all know that it’s never good to bounce a check, but did you know how many ways it’s possible to do so? Here are seven surprising ways you can bounce a check.
Read moreHow to Dispute Your “Debit” Reports
Thanks to companies like ChexSystems, we can all have what we like to call “debit” reports, in addition to credit reports. These “debit” reports track how we manage our banking behavior, just as credit reports track our credit behavior. There is one key difference, though: Only the negative banking activity – like bouncing a check […]
Read more9 Things You Need to Know About ChexSystems
If you’ve ever had difficulty opening a checking account, then you’re probably all too aware of a company called ChexSystems. But how much do you really know about this company that happens to be scoring your banking behavior? Just as consumers have credit scores that determine whether or not they will be approved for credit, […]
Read moreWhat Actually Happens When You Bounce a Check
Ever wonder what happens if you bounce a check? Although checks might seem to be a relic of the past, there are still enough companies slow to adopt modern payment technology that we’re required to keep a box of bank-labeled IOUs on hand. The problem is, the money from a check doesn’t leave our accounts […]
Read more7 Things Debt Collectors Can’t Do
If you’ve got debt collectors calling, you might feel stuck in a phone loop that offers you no rights or abilities to end the cycle — but you do have rights. Here are seven things debt collectors aren’t allowed to do, and what you can do if they’re pushing the boundaries of the law.
Read moreHow Do Student Loans Show Up on My Credit Report?
The last thing college students and recent graduates might think about is how their student loans can impact their credit reports and their financial lives in general. Nevertheless, the impact is real. Here’s how I learned about the intersection of student loans and credit: Back when I was a newly minted college graduate, I got […]
Read moreHow Long Do Negative Items Stay on My Credit Report?
Do you have a negative item on your credit reports that you’d like to see gone? Read here to find out just how long that item has to stay on your reports.
Read moreHow Often Does My Credit Report Update?
Credit reports are the foundations on which credit scores are measured. Even though there are multiple credit scoring companies (and multiple formulas for each type of score), where your scores land depends on information from your credit reports. Because of this, anyone looking to apply for credit might take a sudden interest in their credit […]
Read more5 Ways to Refinance Your Home If You Have Bad Credit
Roughly four percent of homeowners who refinanced their mortgages in July 2018 had a credit score of less than 600, according to mortgage software company Ellie Mae. While that figure shows that it’s not easy to refinance your home when you have bad credit, it also shows that it’s possible. There are several mortgage refinance […]
Read moreHere’s What to Look for When You’re Reviewing Your Credit Report
So, you’ve got your credit reports just like you’ve been told and now you’re ready to look them over. But what are you looking for, really?
Read moreCredit Score Ranges: Why You Should Know Where You Stand
If you have serious financial goals on the mind, then there’s a good chance you’ve thought about your credit recently. But have you thought about the range your credit score falls into, and not just the score itself? You should. In fact, your credit score range might be even more important than your score. Here’s […]
Read moreThe Most Common Credit Report Mistakes — Are These Hurting Your Score?
Credit report mistakes happen — and they can stand between you and the credit score you deserve. Here are some of the most common credit reporting mistakes and how you can make sure they don’t show up on your credit reports.
Read moreHow Does a Dispute Work on a Credit Report
Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash So you’ve found an error on your credit report. Now what? Are you stuck with it forever or can you dispute the error and take action to remove it? It’s not at all uncommon to find mistakes on a credit report, so much so that an entire process has been outlined and […]
Read moreHow to Write a Dispute Letter for Your Credit Report
So, you’ve found a mistake on one or more of your credit reports and you’re ready to write a letter to a credit bureau to get it fixed. We’ll show you how.
Read moreHow to Find Mistakes on Your Credit Report
You might be surprised to learn just how common credit report mistakes really are. Here’s a little help finding what to look for the next time you review your credit reports for mistakes.
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