Its an age-old question we receive, and to answer it requires that we start with the basics: What is the definition of a credit score, anyway? Generally speaking, a credit score is a three-digit number ranging from 300 to 850. Credit scores are calculated using information in your credit report. Your payment history, the amount … Read more
If you recently purchased your home but need to tackle some repairs, you can get home improvement loans with no equity that’ll allow you to finance up to 100% of the renovation costs. There are a variety of secured and unsecured home improvement loan options you can use to avoid turning to high-interest credit cards … Read more
If youre signing a conventional mortgage, its a great thing to be able to make a 20% down payment on your home, even though many lenders will accept less. Doing so allows you to avoid private mortgage insurance, a costly expense thats typically tacked onto your monthly mortgage payments and makes your home more expensive … Read more
A 609 letter is a tool that helps you request information about items on your credit report and address errors. Itâs named after Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which allows consumers to access all data used to calculate their credit score. While 609 letters canât remove verified or accurate debts, they … Read more
Traveling around the United States can be challenging without access to reliable transportation. 93% of households in the U.S. had access to at least one car in 2019.1 You must have a steady income to finance the purchase of a vehicle. But what if you are currently unemployed? You may be saying to yourself, “I … Read more
If youâve been using a credit card responsibly, you might be wondering about a credit limit increase, sometimes called a credit line increase. There are no guarantees that a credit card issuer will increase your credit limit. But there are some steps you can take to help you qualify. Learn more about how credit limit … Read more
Accounts that dont report to the credit bureaus cant help your credit — but failing to pay them on time can hurt it. 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 … Read more
“Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to … Read more
Getting out of debt may seem daunting, especially if you have accumulated substantial credit card, auto loan, or student loan debts over the years. However, with some strategic planning and discipline, it is possible to become debt-free within a year. Here are 7 practical tips to help you get out of debt fast: 1. Make … Read more
Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Heres an explanation for . Our is to ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Bankrate logo Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial … Read more