improve credit score

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...

How to Build Credit Without Using Credit Cards

If you read this blog regularly, you know that I’m a big proponent of responsible credit card use.  I believe that, when used as intended – as in, you don’t overspend and you pay your balance off in full each month – credit cards can be helpful and useful tools for establishing good credit and good financial habits.  When you have good credit, it’s much easier to do things...

Five Steps to a Better Credit Score

You probably already know that less-than-perfect credit can make life difficult:  Bad credit can make it difficult to buy a car or a home, and folks with bad credit can even have trouble getting a job. They have fewer choices when it comes to credit and financing, and they often end up saddled with astronomical interest rates.   If you’ve ever struggled with credit issues, you also probably already...