Using credit wisely can keep you from going into unmanageable debt. Learn how using credit wisely can help you when you need to buy a house, a car or other large purchase.
Consumers looking to get out of debt have several options. In fact, the wide range of services can be overwhelming if you’re not sure what you need. And some products and services that claim to relieve debt can cause additional harm to your credit and move you further away from your goals. To help clear up the confusion, here’s an overview of d...
Offered by nonprofit agencies, credit counseling is a free service designed to help people take charge of their credit card debt and work toward financial stability. Some worry the process may be invasive or intimidating, but it’s anything but. Here’s what you can expect from credit counseling with a certified counselor. Objective Guidance B...
Trying to pay off large amounts of credit card debt can feel overwhelming, especially if you only make minimum payments on your accounts. But it can be done. The key is to accelerate your payments by paying more than the minimum so your balance goes down faster. There are two popular methods to doing this: the debt snowball and debt avalanche me...
Reviewing your credit report at least once a year is an important part of managing your personal finances. Ensuring the information contained in the report is accurate can help you when making a large purchase, such as buying a new vehicle or applying for a mortgage. Many employers now check prospective employees’ credit reports, so if you’r...
One of the many benefits of owning a home is the opportunity to use the equity in your home to make home improvements. Whether you are planning to sell and want to maximize your selling price, or you simply want to enhance your home for your own enjoyment, let’s look at the home upgrades that add the most value. Kitch...
Your credit score is a critical piece to your personal financial puzzle. It helps determine your creditworthiness and what terms you qualify for on new credit and loans. Your 3-digit credit score ranges from a low of 300 to a high of 850. The higher your score, the more likely lenders will offer you their most favorable terms such as lower inter...
Although declaring bankruptcy can provide relief from the worries of unmanageable debt, many consumers are left wondering when and if they will be able to secure new credit at reasonable rates. Your credit report will reflect the consequences of bankruptcy for 7-10 years. But that doesn’t mean it will take that long to rebuild your credit. Fortun...
Your credit score is about more than obtaining credit at reasonable rates. It can also affect your ability to do other things such as get a job and rent a place to live. Having bad credit makes it more challenging — but not impossible — to rent an apartment. Let’s review some tips on how to rent an apartment with bad credit. Face the ...
All new credit cards come with a credit limit, which is the amount you can charge up to on that card. Depending on the type of credit card and your credit history, the credit limit may be anything from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars. After you’ve used the card for a while, you may find yourself thinking you’d like to have a higher l...
If you have a credit card in good standing, chances are you have received communication from the credit card company offering you the opportunity to add an authorized user to your account. It’s a quick, easy process. But there can be real financial consequences if you’re not careful about who you allow to charge on your account. Here’s what y...
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