The Top 4 Credit Killers and How to Avoid Them
You don’t have to have a perfect credit score. Few do. Yet having good credit is important for getting good interest rates on credit cards, mortgages, and vehicle loans. Employers look at credit scores, too, when making hiring decisions. Even if you have a suboptimal credit history, you can boost your credit score by avoiding […]
Debt Doesn’t Just Disappear
Debt collector phone calls and collection letters in the mail are never welcome yet must be dealt with all the same. For some, ignoring their debt is a direct result of not having the money to pay the debt. But know this: ignoring debt collectors will never remedy the situation. In fact, it could make it […]
Will a Loan Modification Hurt My Credit Score?
If you fall behind on your mortgage, you have options, but you must be proactive. One of the best ways to get back on track with your mortgage is loan modification. But will a loan modification hurt your credit score? Loan modification can hurt your credit score The biggest negative effect to your credit from […]
Will Unpaid Student Loans Affect My Credit Score?
As of 2024, total student loan debt in the U.S. has reached $1.75 trillion in total student loan debt, including federal and private loans. The average student borrower graduates with about $29,000 in student loans on average. The number of college students taking out loans has tripled in just the last decade. Yet most students […]
Freeze Your Credit, Don’t Lock It
A new law — the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act — takes effect on September 21, 2018. The law requires the big three credit bureaus to offer free fraud alerts and credit freezes. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion will set up webpages for those services. You also have the ability to lock your […]
How Your Credit Score is Calculated
Your credit score is calculated using the “FICO Five” factors: payment history, credit balances, length of history, credit mix, and new credit. Instead of having a single credit score, however, you actually have three. Each of the the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) compile their own separate credit scores. Yet every credit […]
Bankruptcy Will Not Kill Your Credit
Bankruptcy will not kill your credit for 10 years. Many of the clients who come into my office think that. This common misperception is the result of an intense and extended propaganda campaign by institutional lenders and credit card companies. Obviously, your creditors want you to repay your debts, no matter what the personal cost to […]
Repairing Your Credit After Bankruptcy
If you are considering filing for bankruptcy protection, you have likely considered what effect it will have on your future finances. After all, bankruptcy is a matter of public record, and the bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for 10 years. In addition, your credit score will take a major hit when you file. Reality […]