Your Money Mistakes Will Catch Up to You
“You can run, but you can’t hide” is never truer than when it comes to money, more specifically to owing money. You can get away with not paying your bills for a little bit, but…
Credit and Debt
Improve your credit score, manage debt, and understand how credit works. From credit card usage to debt consolidation and credit repair tips, this section gives you tools to strengthen your financial foundation and regain control of your money.
How Utility Bills Can Affect Your Credit
Out of all the bills you pay every month, only a few of them are routinely reported to the credit bureaus. For example, credit cards and loan payments are almost always updated on your credit…
Calm Your Fears About Marriage and Credit
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…
Can You Return From the Brink of Bankruptcy?
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…
It’s Ok to Check Your Credit Score
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…
Why You Should Avoid a Payday Loan
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…
Consumers’ Top Debt Collection Complaints
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…
Unpaid Medical Bills Can Hurt Your Credit Score
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…
Some Lenders Must Provide You a Free Credit Score
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…
Life After Bankruptcy May Be Better
Bankruptcy has a bad reputation for ruining lives. Truth be told, if you’re considering bankruptcy, life may not be that great right, especially where your finances are concerned. But, bankruptcy’s negative reputation might keep you…