You’ve started the process to buying a home. You’ve met your lender and have been preapproved. You’ve picked a house and the seller has accepted your offer. You’re well on your way to living in your new home – there can’t be many more hurdles, right? Often, this is true. However, when financial situations change … Read more
Hey there fam! If you’re staring at your credit report and seeing some ugly marks draggin’ down your score I feel ya. Those negative items—like late payments or collections—can haunt you for what feels like forever. But wait, do you really gotta wait the full 7 years for them to vanish? That’s the big question, … Read more
You’re ready to buy a car, but first you need to figure out the right way to finance it. The good news is that you have options: You can get your car loan from a bank or credit union, or you could go through the dealer. Both have their benefits and considerations, and it’s best … Read more
Hey there, fam! Ever checked your credit score on Credit Karma and felt like a rockstar, only to get slapped with a FICO score that’s a whopping 100 points lower when you apply for a loan? Man, that stings worse than stepping on a Lego! If you’re wondering, “Why is my FICO score so much … Read more
How long youve had credit affects your score. But paying on time and not using a lot of your limit matter more. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on … Read more
The Platinum Card from American Express offers the highest credit limit to applicants. It’s important to note that American Express does not explicitly list either a minimum or maximum credit limit when outlining card details. This is because your credit limit will be based primarily on personal financial circumstances. That said, American Express notes that … Read more
After a relative dies, the last thing a grieving family member wants is a call from a debt collector asking them to pay a loved one’s debt. Here’s what to know about the rules and your rights when a collector contacts you about a deceased relative’s debts. The death of a parent can be an … Read more
A charge-off is what happens when a creditor no longer believes a borrower will repay several months of missed payments and writes off the unpaid debt as a loss. The missed payments, charge-off and any collections involved can severely harm your credit. A charge-off is a negative entry on your credit report indicating a creditor … Read more
Credit Karma promises to provide you with your credit score and credit report for free. But is it giving you the same information that a lender will access if youre applying for a mortgage or a car loan? And for that matter, is it giving you anything that you cant get elsewhere? To answer those … Read more
There’s no doubt that using credit cards can make life easier. When everyone from the flower vendor at the farmers market to your favorite food truck accepts plastic, it seems like a no-brainer to use your card for everyday purchases. But using your credit card isn’t always the smart choice. While earning airline miles and … Read more