Finance Globe

Your credit score is an important number to keep up with, especially if you have a major loan coming up. For example, if you're planning to buy a house or car in the next few months, your credit score affects whether you're approved for a loan and the terms. Your credit score also impacts whether you have to pay a security deposit when you apply for utilities and similar services. Credit scores go up and down...

If you're dealing with multiple debts on your credit report or you're getting calls and letters from debt collectors, you may wonder if the debt is still valid. Debts generally don't "go away" just because they get older. However, older debts do reach a period where they should no longer affect you or your credit. There's a one time limit that a debt can be listed on your credit report and another for the amount of...

A suspicious charge on your credit card. Calls from collectors about accounts you didn't know of. Alerts of new inquiries on your credit report. These can all be signs that someone has stolen your identity. Confirming identity theft can take time. But if you think someone may be using your personal information, you want to prevent them from leaving more damage for you to clean up. Here's what you should do if you think your identity...

Paying off a large amount of debt takes a lot of sacrifice. You have to cut back your spending and sometimes get creative about making more money. Even though it can be stressful and frustrating, the benefits of paying off your debt are worth it. You’ll save money in the long run. The longer you carry debt, the more you’ll pay in interest. Paying off your debt faster lets you save thousands of dollars in interest,...

Building credit for the first time can be both exciting and stressful. On the plus side, you’re ready to take this big step in your financial life. Conversely, you have some concerns about the moves you’re making and the short and long-term impact. Here are five things to know about building credit for the first time: 1. It’s Every Bit as Important as it Sounds Don’t talk yourself into thinking this isn’t important. Even if you...

If you need to borrow for your college or post college expenses, you should know what borrowing options are available to you. Generally there are two major sources of student loans. Federal and private loans are available to individuals, however federal student loans are much more common. There are also advantages and disadvantages to each, so please make sure you research before selecting your borrowing option. However it is important to note that no matter what...

It's normal for retailers to pitch credit cards to shoppers during checkout. The pitch usually comes with an incentive - like a discount on the initial purchase. More retailers are offering a new payment option for consumers: point-of-sale loans. Customers are offered the loans both in-store and online at checkout. Point-of-sale loans are often offered for big ticket items. With the ease of lending, the loans are also offered for online purchases regardless of price. The...

The information in your credit report has a major impact on whether your new applications for credit cards and loans are approved. Having positive information is key to showing that you're a responsible borrower. Your credit report can only contain accurate, complete, and timely information and you're allowed to challenge any information that doesn't fit the criteria for reporting. If you spot errors on your credit report, you can have your credit report updated by making...

Banks and fintech startups are increasingly offering personal loans for consumers who need to consolidate debt, make home repairs, or take care of other financial obligations. While personal loans are becoming easier to access, there still remains some risks to watch out for before you take on new debt. Fixed Monthly Payments There’s a fixed monthly payment based on your interest rate, loan amount, and repayment period. Payments can be difficult to make if you’re having...

Medical bills have the potential to hurt your credit just like most other types of bills. Medical bills can wind up on your credit report even if you have health insurance, since insurance companies don’t always cover 100% of medical services. Medical service providers don’t drop a medical bill on your credit report right away. They typically give you a give you time to pay the bill in full or make a payment arrangement first. In...