Credit

Life Without Credit Cards: The Pros and Cons

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, it’s hard to imagine life without credit cards. Used responsibly, credit cards can help us build strong financial foundations and give us easier access to homes, transportation, job opportunities, and more. But used irresponsibly, credit cards can do damage that can take years – even decades – to reverse. For most people, the benefits of credit cards outweigh the potential drawbacks, and most of...

The A to Z Guide of Staying Out of Debt

The key to staying out of debt is to keep a better handle on your finances through things like spending less, budgeting, and saving money. It takes work, but it’s not impossible. And you might be surprised by how many small things you can do to work toward a debt-free lifestyle. Just for fun, I thought I’d break things down alphabetically, so here’s your official A to Z guide...

The Do’s and Don’ts Before Applying for a Mortgage 

Maybe you’re dreaming of a suburban ranch house with a big backyard. Or perhaps a sleek urban condo in the heart of the city. Or a townhome that’s within walking distance to work. Everyone’s idea of a “dream home” is a little different, but there’s one thing that’s the same across the board: We all have to apply for a mortgage loan. You don’t have to have perfect credit...

Want to Build Great Credit Seven is the Magic Number

Here’s something that might surprise you: While it’s absolutely true that responsible credit use is a must for establishing a good credit score and a strong credit history, time is also a factor. Simply having a few years of established credit is a step in the right direction. Sometimes, the key to a higher score is simply waiting a few years. So, how long does it take to establish...

Six Surprising Things That Can Affect Your Credit Score

Six Surprising Things That Can Affect Your Credit Score Ask most people what kinds of things can bring down your credit score, and you’ll likely hear the expected responses:  Paying your credit card bills late.  Maxing out your credit lines.  Having a high debt-to-income ratio.  Opening too many credit cards.  Closing a credit card once you pay it off. You don’t have to have an extensive background in credit...

Get a Jump on Tax Season with This Easy Checklist

Get a Jump on Tax Season with This Easy Checklist ‘Tis the season . . . to get ready to do your taxes. No, really. That may sound crazy – it’s early November, after all.  You haven’t even finalized your Thanksgiving menu.  You’re still trying to sort out holiday travel plans.  You won’t even get your W-2 until January. Why worry about taxes now? Because if you’re like most...

How to Boost your Credit Score with a Secured Card

The frustrating thing about credit cards is that, in order to get a credit card, you have to have reasonably good credit.  But the only way to build a solid credit history is by establishing a pattern of responsible credit card use. See the dilemma?  If you have bad credit, or even no credit, it can be difficult to get back on solid ground, credit-wise.  One way to bounce...

Break Free From Your Money Rut

Stuck in a Money Rut? Here’s How to Break Free Ever feel like your money is just sort of . . . going nowhere?  It’s a feeling that can creep in when nothing’s really off track, finance-wise, but at the same time, you’re not really making progress toward any significant goals.  You’re not saving or paying down debt.  Your budget needs some adjustment.  You know you could probably be...

Going Beyond Repair: What to do After you Rebuild Your Credit Score

I’ve posted several blogs (such as this one and this one) about ways to rebuild or repair less-than-perfect credit scores — and with good reason.  Your credit score determines what kinds of loans and interest rates you can get, and in some cases it can affect your ability to find a place to live or even a job.  And while repairing your credit score isn’t impossible, it’s not exactly...

How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge

The holiday season usually means an uptick in shopping and spending. There are gifts to buy, travel arrangements to make, parties to attend – and so on.  And while this whirlwind of holiday activity can be fun, the unfortunate flip side is that the season isn’t exactly easy on the wallet. If you’re like most people, there’s a good chance that you’ll be using credit cards for some (or...