It’s official. Credit scores are the most confusing aspect of personal finance. The FICO formula largely remains a mystery. And don’t get me started on the multiple versions of credit scores out there. Learning how to start building credit has become critical to your financial success. By one account, you may have 49 different FICO…
Improving your credit score and profile is an important part of achieving financial health. With an excellent credit score, you can be approved for the best credit cards, mortgages with the lowest rates, and auto loans at low to no interest. Without one, you’ll find yourself spending tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars…
Have you been unable to get a credit card or a loan because of bad credit, or no credit? Credit builder loans are a way to get around that problem. You make a deposit into a savings account, that acts as security for a credit card for the same amount. You use it just like…
In a world where identity theft seems pandemic, spending between $10 and $20 a month might seem like good insurance against the nightmare that is identity theft. However, like with most products, it’s important to know exactly what you’re buying. Even more importantly, you need to be aware of the fine print. The last thing…
Some financial gurus argue that a credit score is really just a debt score. On one level, this perception is correct. Your credit score does have a lot to do with how well you manage debt. But the idea that you must take on debt over the long term in order to build your credit…
Managing your money while on the go can be difficult. You need separate apps for your bank, investments, and credit cards, and keeping track of where your money is can get tricky. MoneyLion is an app that aims to be an all-in-one financial app, giving you an easy-to-use bank account, investing services, lending, and more….
I live in a fairly low-income urban neighborhood, and payday loan places abound. They’re everywhere because these types of loans target themselves toward the millions of Americans who live paycheck to paycheck. They’re just getting by, and a single disaster can make it impossible to pay that month’s rent. Payday loans are a problem for…
Homeownership is part of the American dream, but buying a house can be incredibly expensive. According to Zillow, the median home in the United States costs just under $250,000. In certain markets, you could be paying twice as much as that for the average home. Few people can pay cash for such a large purchase,…
Was one of your New Years’ resolutions to improve your credit score? Or maybe you’re hoping to buy a home soon? Perhaps you just like to be on top of all of your personal financial data so you can press on towards achieving your goals? Regardless of your reasons, checking your credit often can have…