Paying off debt early is generally a good thing. That includes car loans. But itâs worth understanding how paying off debt earlier than planned might affect your credit. It may seem backward, but paying off a car loan early could hurt your credit. But how exactly it could affect your scores depends, in part, on … Read more
In a Nutshell Experian vs. Credit Karma: Which is more accurate for your credit score? You may be surprised to know that the simple answer is that both are accurate. Read on to find out what’s different between the two companies, how they get your credit score, and why you have more than one credit … Read more
Buying a house is an exciting milestone in life. However, having less-than-perfect credit can make it more difficult to get approved for a mortgage. If you’re wondering “can I buy a house with a 604 credit score?” the answer is yes, but you’ll face some challenges. What Is a 604 Credit Score? Credit scores range … Read more
Shoppers can find almost anything at Menards, from power tools to jewelry, but the Menards credit card is decidedly less impressive. Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or … Read more
There’s no doubt that not having any debt can give you a certain sense of freedom. When you don’t owe anything to anybody, the money you have is yours to do with as you wish—a great retirement dream scenario. But as we all know from experience, reality can be a bit different. In an ideal … Read more
At least 16 million people in the US are self-employed. While it can be a good way to make a living, it also comes with its challenges — namely when buying a home. Thats because when you apply for a mortgage, your income plays a big role — and self-employed pros often have less-than-reliable earnings. … Read more
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product. While there’s no such thing as too many hard … Read more
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
Buying a home is an exciting yet complex process involving many steps, from getting pre-approved to signing the final paperwork at closing. One important piece of this puzzle is providing your bank statements to the mortgage lender. But how closely do underwriters inspect these statements, and when? Will the underwriter take another look right before … Read more
If you have no credit history, you have no credit score — but not a zero credit score. 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 their website. However, this … Read more