May 21st, 2013 By Barb Miller Most people I work with are very concerned about improving their credit scores post-bankruptcy. This is a good thing since nearly all important transactions like finding a job, buying insurance, financing a car or home, or even renting an apartment may well depend on your credit score. The good news is you [...]
May 20th, 2013 By John Ulzheimer Ok, I get it…the world of financial services can be complicated and confusing. It’s hard to calculate APRs, and it’s hard to forecast interest paid on long term credit card debt. And, according to a recent survey by VantageScore Solutions and The Consumer Federation of America, consumers don’t know very much about credit [...]
March 20th, 2013 By Mark Foster There are various factors involved in raising a credit score, but when it comes down to it just two key factors are responsible for an incredible 65% of your score – how timely you pay your bills and how much you owe. The less you owe, the better your credit score. The credit scoring [...]
November 26th, 2012 By Melinda Opperman If your credit card debt is keeping you from reaching your personal financial goals, and you’re ready to concentrate on paying off your credit cards, here are a few tips to help you get started. 1. Make a budget. If you haven’t already made a budget this is a great first step [...]
November 14th, 2012 By John Ulzheimer Depending on whom you believe you can have as few as one credit score, and as many as hundreds of credit scores. So who is telling the truth? The truth is they’re both right. Follow me… The apex predator in credit scoring is still your FICO credit score. That’s not in dispute. It’s by far the most [...]
October 5th, 2012 By Jason Alderman If you’ve got a recent high school graduate who is in their first semester of college or recently joined the workforce, let me share a few lessons I learned the hard way about managing personal finances that you can pass along to your kids. Young adults are just starting to build their credit history. [...]
August 21st, 2012 By Gail Cunningham For incoming freshmen college often means one thing: freedom. That freedom can come in the form of no curfew, no set study time, or no one looking over your shoulder as you spend money. Such freedoms can be part of a positive growth experience, or create negative situations which take years to recover [...]
May 22nd, 2012 By Erica Sandberg Erica, My mom is 77 years old. She lives in a one-bedroom apartment and has no assets (no car in her name, no IRA, no stocks, no retirement income, absolutely nothing). She lives entirely off her Social Security check each month. However, she managed to rack up about $15,000 on a credit [...]
March 28th, 2012 By Erica Sandberg Dear Erica, I wanted to know what I can do to obtain a real credit card. My credit rating really stinks, and it’s embarrassing. It’s in the low 400s, and I don’t qualify for anything. To make matters worse I’m receiving unemployment, but actively seeking employment. What can I do? I cannot [...]
January 20th, 2012 By Sara Gilbert Your credit report and credit score are a summary of your bill paying history that will affect your ability to purchase items on credit. Taking good care of your personal credit report and score could save you thousands of dollars in interest over your life time, and give you the buying power you [...]