Buying a new car is an exciting experience. Driving off the lot with that new car smell is a feeling like no other. But that excitement can quickly turn to stress when the first payment comes due. Many new car owners are caught off guard when that first bill arrives in the mail. So when … Read more
Paying off your credit card balance every month is one of the factors that can help you improve your scores. Companies use several factors to calculate your credit scores. One factor they look at is how much credit you are using compared to how much you have available. In the case of a credit card, … Read more
For a score with a range of 300 to 850, a credit score of 670 to 739 is considered good. Credit scores of 740 and above are very good while 800 and higher are excellent. For credit scores that range from 300 to 850, a credit score in the mid to high 600s or above … Read more
A debt doesn’t generally expire or disappear until its paid, but in many states, there may be a time limit on how long creditors or debt collectors can use legal action to collect a debt. In many states, statues of limitations are in place to prevent creditors and debt collectors from using legal action to … Read more
There are laws to prohibit debt collectors from placing repeated or continuous telephone calls to annoy, abuse, or harass you or others who share your phone number. They’re also prohibited from communicating with you at times or places that are inconvenient for you. Dealing with debt collectors can be an unpleasant and stressful experience. The … Read more
Your credit score is more than just a number—it’s a key that can unlock financial opportunities or keep them out of reach. A 611 credit score is below the national average credit score and may limit your access to favorable loan terms, but it’s far from the end of the road. In this guide, we’ll … Read more
A 700 credit score is a solid starting point for homebuyers, offering a range of loan options. While it’s not the top-tier score, it’s good enough to get you a good rate on conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. The higher your credit score, the better your mortgage terms, so it’s worth understanding how your … Read more
When you apply for a car loan—whether from your dealer, a bank, or a credit union—they will check your credit. This is known as a hard inquiry, and can temporarily affect your credit score. Since multiple credit checks within 45 days generally won’t affect your credit score more than a single check, you have that … Read more
According to the Government of Canada, a credit score is a 3-digit number that represents how likely a credit bureau thinks you are to pay your bills on time.1 It can be an important part of building your financial confidence and security.1 For example, building a good credit score could help you get approved for … 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