Category
Credit Cards & Loans
Why Do Creditors Close Credit Cards Without Notice?
Have you ever tried to use a credit card, only to discover it’s been closed without your knowledge? Or checked your credit report to find your score had dropped because the creditor closed your longest-standing account without letting you know? Having credit accounts closed when you haven’t initiated the closure can send your finances — […]
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The Do’s & Don’ts of Using Credit Cards During a Financial Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic is having an ongoing effect on American’s lives in many ways. One of the most universal is its impact on people’s finances. Record numbers of laid-off or furloughed workers apply for unemployment benefits each week. Additionally, many Americans have or will soon receive economic impact payments, designed to help supplement reduced income […]
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Considering Credit Repair? Here’s What You Need to Know.
Credit repair is one of many financial services designed to help consumers improve their credit. The process involves hiring a company to dispute negative or incorrect entries on your credit report. It sounds simple, but it’s not always a straightforward process. Before choosing credit repair, there are some important details you should understand. Considering credit […]
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What are the Alternatives to Credit Card Cash Advances?
When money is tight, a credit card cash advance can seem like an easy solution. But it comes at a cost. In many cases, a cash advance comes with a higher interest rate than that for credit card purchases. And there’s no grace period; the interest begins to accrue right away. When you begin to […]
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The Pros and Cons of Credit Cards
When managed responsibly, credit cards are a useful financial tool. But problems can arise when consumers come to rely on credit cards to pay for everyday purchases, or to fund a lifestyle they can’t truly afford. To avoid unmanageable debt, some consumers choose to skip using credit cards at all, while others keep one card […]
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What is Credit Utilization (And Why Does it Matter?)
When it comes to establishing and maintaining a good credit history, one term you’ll hear frequently is credit utilization. But what exactly does that mean, and why is it important? Let’s take a look at what it is and what it means for you. What is Credit Utilization? When calculating a credit score, the […]
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The Fundamentals of Building a Credit History
Establishing and maintaining a positive credit history is necessary to reach a number of important milestones, including buying a vehicle, purchasing a home and financing an education. Yet, many people don’t understand the basic building blocks of a credit history. Let’s take a look at the fundamentals of building a credit history. Managing a Bank […]
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What Are Credit Card Hardship Programs?
Struggling with credit card debt is frustrating enough. But when you add in a stressful life event such as job loss, serious illness or a natural disaster, trying to pay those bills every month can become overwhelming. That’s where a credit card hardship plan may be able to help. Sometimes called assistance programs or hardship […]
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Credit Lock or Credit Freeze. What’s the Difference?
If it seems it’s getting harder to protect your personal and financial information, you’re not wrong. As more of our financial activities migrate online, hackers and thieves are working overtime to find ways to compromise it. Fortunately, there are also more options for keeping your information safe and out of the wrong hands. Two of […]
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Debunking 6 Myths About Credit Reports and Scores
Credit reports and scores have an impact on many aspects of consumers’ financial lives, so it’s no surprise that there is a lot of misinformation surrounding them. Misunderstanding credit reports and scores and their impact can limit consumers and even lead to making less-than-ideal financial choices. Are you ready to let go of misinformation and […]
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