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.
Wage garnishment is certainly something to fear. If collectors garnish your wages, they take pay directly from your employer, before you ever receive your paycheck. Collectors or other creditors can garnish up to 60% of…
Not to confuse you, but there’s another credit score you should know about. The VantageScore was created by the three major credit bureaus to clear up some of the discrepancies in other credit score models.…
For years, landlords have used consumer credit reports as a way to screen tenants. But, those same tenants haven’t benefitted from the timely payment of their rent, at least not where their credit is concerned.…
Borrowing money from big banks isn’t free. Everyone pays interest on a loan, but people with lower credit scores typically have to pay more interest than borrowers with better credit. Banks assign interest rates to…
Your credit report includes a record of every business that’s checked it within the past two years. These credit inquiries, typically made when you make an application that requires a review of your credit report,…
A good budget is part of the foundation for financial success. A budget is nothing more than a plan for how you’re going to spend the money you earn. It helps you predict income gaps…
Tired of tossing credit card offers every time you check the mail? There’s way to stop most credit card offers temporarily or even permanently. Background on Pre-Approved Credit Card Offers For many of their prescreened…
It’s a widespread myth that you have to carry a credit card balance to build a good credit score. In reality, the opposite is true. Carrying big balances on your credit card could actually hurt…
The FTC received 1.8 million consumer complaints in 2011. Scams related to prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries were third on the list of top complaint categories with more than 100,000 complaints. Identity theft and debt collection…
The most commonly given advice regarding credit card annual fees is that you shouldn’t pay one. However, you may be passing up a great credit card deal if you swear off credit cards that charge…