The Basics of Budgeting

[W]hether you are just starting out on your own or just starting over, one of the most important things you can do is learn how to budget. Many people think they know how to budget, but they fail to stick with it. So, the goal is to not just create a budget, but to create one that works.
Know...
The Basics of Budgeting

Revolving Credit or Installment Loans: Which is Better for Your Credit?

[I]f you’ve been learning about credit, one of the first things you’ll hear is you can’t get credit if you don’t have credit. It often seems to be a Catch-22; no one will give you credit so you can’t get established with a credit history so you can get new credit.
With diligent effort, you can g...
Revolving Credit or Installment Loans: Which is Better for Your Credit?

What to Do When a Landlord or Employer Asks to See Your Credit Report

[S]ometimes when you are filling out a rental or job application, you’ll come to a page that asks you to sign and authorize a credit check. Most people will sign it, hoping for the best if they have less than perfect credit. Even when you do sign it, you may wonder if that was the best course of ...
What to Do When a Landlord or Employer Asks to See Your Credit Report

Why Do Employers Look at Your Credit Report?

[I]f you’ve applied for a job, you may have been asked to provide authorization for the potential employer to look at your credit report. While you signed it just to be considered for the job, you may wonder why they need to know about your credit history. What are employers looking at when they ...
Why Do Employers Look at Your Credit Report?

Do Creditors Look Past Your Credit Score?

[Y]ou hear all about the minimum credit score needed to get a credit card or loan. It seems like this one magic number seals your fate. You wonder if creditors or lenders even look at the information in your credit report or if they just use that number to get a decision for your...
Do Creditors Look Past Your Credit Score?

What Creditors Look at on Credit Reports

[T]here’s a lot of information on a credit report. If you’ve ever requested a free copy of your credit report, you may have been overwhelmed at all of the stuff on there. It makes you wonder what creditors and lenders really look at. Do they read every line or do they skim? If they skim, what are...
What Creditors Look at on Credit Reports

How a Credit Card Can Help You Build Credit

[A]fter the recession of 2008, more people have become conscious of debt. Some of them have decided to give up using credit cards or other forms of credit in favor of a cash-only approach. While this is a good idea for people with bad spending habits or those who have a tendency to live beyond...
How a Credit Card Can Help You Build Credit