Monday 31 August 2015

How to Protect Your Ability to Get a Mortgage

[I]f you have been shopping for a home or just learning about what it takes to get a home loan, you probably already know the importance of a good credit history. Along with this important piece of the puzzle are other factors that you want to consider.
Inconsistent Income
While you may average...
How to Protect Your Ability to Get a Mortgage

Friday 28 August 2015

How to Build Good Credit When You Have None

[H]aving no credit is almost as bad as having bad credit. Many creditors are unwilling to lend to you if you have no credit history, but you can’t establish a credit history if no one will take a chance on you. This catch-22 can leave you feeling frustrated, but don’t worry. There are ways of bui...
How to Build Good Credit When You Have None

Wednesday 26 August 2015

Celebrate the Small Wins in Your Move Towards Financial Freedom

[I]f you are working to improve your credit score, you know how difficult it is to see major changes. Your score may go up three or four points and then back down. You may pay off a small credit card and expect to see a new number, but it only improves by 10 points. If you have a long way to go...
Celebrate the Small Wins in Your Move Towards Financial Freedom

Monday 24 August 2015

Why You Need to Understand Debit Cards vs. Credit Cards For Your Credit

[E]ven though you can use credit and debit cards in most of the same places, but that doesn’t mean they are the exact same. There are several differences between the two that you need to be aware of.
Fees and Balances
A debit card is linked directly with money in your bank account. You can only s...
Why You Need to Understand Debit Cards vs. Credit Cards For Your Credit

Wednesday 19 August 2015

Understanding How Credit Impacts Your Home Purchase

[I]f you have been working to improve your credit so that you can buy a home, you have probably been watching the news reports about credit changes closely. Just a couple of years ago, you couldn’t purchase a home at all with most lenders if your credit score was below 640. With the economy i...
Understanding How Credit Impacts Your Home Purchase

Monday 17 August 2015

Should You Check Your Credit Score?

[M]ost people never check their credit score or only check it occasionally. While you see many advocates for regular credit checks or signing up with a credit monitoring program, there are plenty of times when you won’t have to worry about your credit. However, that doesn’t mean you should ign...
Should You Check Your Credit Score?

Friday 14 August 2015

Can You Get a Business Loan with Poor Credit?

[S]tarting a new business is an exciting but often scary idea. If you have bad credit, you may find it is even more difficult. If you need to fund your new business with inventory or capital, you may discover that getting a loan is almost impossible. However, alternatives are available to help...
Can You Get a Business Loan with Poor Credit?

Wednesday 12 August 2015

Can Anyone See Your Credit Score If They Want To?

[W]hen you apply for credit or a loan, you may be asked to give permission for the creditor to obtain a copy of your credit report. You may assume that they will also see your credit score. This is not always the case, and it is important to know who can and can’t see your personal i...
Can Anyone See Your Credit Score If They Want To?

Monday 10 August 2015

What You Don’t Want to See on a Credit Report

[T]here are a lot of ways you can lower your credit score. Maxing out credit cards, being late on payments and applying for too much credit. However, some things do major damage to your credit score that is not so easy to recover from.
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is often a last resort when you...
What You Don’t Want to See on a Credit Report

Friday 7 August 2015

What to Do About Medical Debt

[M]edical debt can go into collections if you are unable or unwilling to pay. It can result in a lower credit score and damage that takes years to overcome. While recent changes have altered how medical debt is calculated in your credit score, you still want to take it seriously.
How to Prevent...
What to Do About Medical Debt

Wednesday 5 August 2015

First Steps for a College Student to Establish a Credit Score

[I]f you have never been out on your own or you are the parent of a college student moving out on his or her own for the first time, you want to make sure that you start out the right way to build your credit. It will be difficult to rent an apartment and do other things without an established...
First Steps for a College Student to Establish a Credit Score

Monday 3 August 2015

Can You See a Credit Report When You Sign Permission for One?

It has become more common for businesses to ask for a credit report before approving an application. Not only for credit cards and loans, but businesses that rent apartments and cars as well as insurance companies require credit reports with applications. You may wonder if you have a right to...
Can You See a Credit Report When You Sign Permission for One?