Finance

For many homeowners, home loans from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) make homeownership attainable and affordable. This type of home loan has less stringent requirements than conventional loans. But while the requirements are more flexible, FHA mortgages still have requirements home buyers must meet, including paying closing costs. If you’re considering an FHA loan to … Read more

Paying off debt while also saving for retirement can be a tricky balancing act. On one hand getting rid of high-interest debt like credit cards should be a priority to stop extra fees and interest charges from piling up. On the other hand, consistently contributing to your 401k is crucial to grow your nest egg … Read more

Cashing checks is a common way for people to access funds quickly and conveniently. However, many wonder if cashing checks leaves a paper trail that gets reported to the IRS. So do banks report cashed checks to the IRS? The short answer is – it depends on the amount. Banks are required to report cash … Read more

You’ve found a home you love, complete with a spacious kitchen, the right number of bedrooms and a yard. So how do you get from serious shopper to happy homeowner? By taking out a mortgage to finance the purchase. Here’s what you need to know about the mortgage underwriting process. When applying for a mortgage … Read more

Hey there friend! If you’re staring down the barrel of a debt collector’s call or letter I feel ya. That sinking feeling in your gut, wondering how you’re gonna get outta this mess—it’s rough. But lemme tell ya straight up you got options. Invalidating your debt ain’t some pipe dream; it’s a real process where … Read more

There’s no specific number of hard inquiries that’s too many or too few. Although some hard inquiries might hurt your credit scores a little, credit scoring models also ignore many hard inquiries when consumers shop for a new loan. Hard inquiries in your credit report might hurt your credit scores, but theres no specific rule … Read more

Your score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is considered Exceptional. Your FICO® ScoreΘ and is well above the average credit score. Consumers with scores in this range may expect easy approvals when applying for new credit. Less than 1% of consumers with Exceptional FICO® Scores are likely to become … Read more

What you need to know about your credit score and credit reports Part of the Series Guide to FICO Three major credit bureaus compile information about consumers’ borrowing habits and use that data to create detailed credit reports for lenders. Another organization, FICO, developed a proprietary algorithm that scores borrowers numerically from 300 to 850 … Read more

Have your spending habits and financial goals changed since you got your current credit card? Maybe you’re ready to start earning more rewards. Or maybe you aren’t using your card enough to justify its annual fee. Whatever the case may be, it could be time for a change. If you’re interested in a different card, … Read more

‍Beginning in early 2023, all medical debt with an original owed balance below $500 will be removed from credit reports. If your outstanding bills meet this requirement, it could be worth waiting until the change occurs to begin shopping for a home. Medical costs have long been a burden for Americans, with more than 19% … Read more