credit scores

2-Minute Read: What You Need to Know About FICO Scores

Here's everything you need to know about FICO scores, and it'll only take you two minutes to read.

I Checked My Credit Score in 11 Places — Here's What I Learned

Why pay $15 for a credit score when you can get one for free? Turns out not all credit scores are the same.

9 Ways Expats Can Maintain Their Credit Scores

You may be leaving the States for a while, but there's one element of American life you should never leave behind: your credit score.

5 Myths About Credit Cards That Won't Go Away

Credit cards have been around for a long time now — and so have all these myths about paying with plastic.

6 Infuriating Ways You're Ruining Someone Else's Credit

Yep, you can totally wreck someone else's credit score. Don't be that person.

FICO or FAKO: Are Free Credit Scores From Credit Cards the Real Thing?

Your credit card provider might offer your credit score —for free! — every month. Here's what you need to know about that complimentary number.

Why Millennials Should Embrace Credit Cards

Millennials are super wary of debt — and credit cards. But embracing plastic responsibly is an important adult skill.

8 Things I Learned About Money After Getting Married

For better or worse, marriage means learning how to manage money with a partner.

The 5 Things With the Biggest Impact on Your Credit Score

Perplexed by those three little numbers? Here's the breakdown of what exactly makes up your FICO score.

3 Terrible Things Foreclosure Does to Your Credit

A foreclosure stings, but you can rebuild. Here's what it will do to your credit, and the steps to take to get it back.

8 Signs You've Crossed From "Healthy" Debt to "Problem" Debt

There's a razor-thin line between "healthy" debt and a big financial problem debt. Have you crossed it?

Is an FHA Home Loan Right for You?

With an FHA loan you don't need great credit — nor a lot of cash — to get into a home. What's the catch?

Are You a Credit Invisible? Get Seen by Building Your Score

A credit history shows lenders what kind of borrower you are, and without one, you may as well be invisible. Start showing lenders who you are!

4 Reasons Your Credit Score May Improve Soon

To help those with little credit history, the bureaus now use more kinds of payments in their profiles. How much will your credit improve?

When It Makes Sense to Apply for a Mortgage Loan Without Your Spouse

Marriage is a collaboration, but if your spouse has less than stellar credit, you may be better off going solo on a mortgage application.

6 Money Moves to Make for Tomorrow's Mortgage

A home is one of life's biggest purchases. Long before you're ready to buy, prepare for the big step by making these smart money moves.

15 Surprising Ways Bad Credit Can Hurt You

We all know that bad credit makes borrowing hard, but it can also crimp your lifestyle in other ways. Live a fuller life with better credit!

Oops — I Maxed Out My Credit Cards. Now What?

The convenience of paying with plastic can sometimes lead to trouble. Here's what to do if you've maxed out your credit cards.

Good, Bad, or Excellent: What Does Your Credit Score Mean?

Is your credit score good, bad...or excellent? Find out what range you're in and what that means for your borrowing prospects.

FHA Home Loans: You Can Buy a Home Even If Your Finances Aren't Perfect

Even with stricter post-crash lending standards, FHA home loans remain a great option for home buyers who don't have perfect credit or large down payments.