LaToya Irby is a full-time freelance writer and a graduate of the University of Alabama. She primarily writes about personal finance, freelancing, and other self-employment topics.
One of the benefits of having good credit is that other credit card issuers want your business. If you haven’t opted-out of credit card offers, there’s a good chance you receive several balance transfer offers…
Marriage affects many aspects of your life, but credit isn’t necessarily one of them. Marriage itself does not affect your credit. Contrary to a common myth, your credit report doesn’t merge with your spouse’s once…
Most credit cards give you the ability to withdraw cash from an ATM the same way you would with a check card, except the money detracts from your credit line instead of your bank account.…
The effects of bankruptcy are devastating and long-lasting. So, if you’ve decided to file bankruptcy, chances are the situation is pretty bad. You’ve likely considered all your options, but before you head to attorney’s office…
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about credit scores is that checking their own credit scores is damaging. And of course, if consumers think they’ll be hurting themselves by checking scores, then they’re also…
Statistics for payday loans are mind-blowing. According to the Center for Responsible Lending, the average payday borrower has nine transactions each year and is in payday loan debt for 212 days of the year. Even…
If you know how credit scores are calculated, then you probably already know that applying for a credit card has the potential to impact to your credit score. But is the impact high enough to…
Year-after-year, the debt collection industry tops the FTC’s complaint list. In 2011, the FTC received 117,374 complaints against third-party debt collectors. The complaints the FTC receives may not represent the true number of debt collector…
Most people realize that credit cards and loans affect their credit score. Even the occasional blemish from an unpaid utility bill won’t surprise many people. But who’d expect medical bills to affect credit scores? To…
While you can get a free credit report through AnnualCreditReport.com, your credit score isn’t included in the deal. But, you may be entitled to a free credit score after certain credit and loan applications. Credit…