Credit report & scores

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How to Get Credit for the First Time

How do you get credit for the first time? Getting a secured credit card or becoming an aut...

By Karen Axelton

Aug 17, 2026Establishing credit

How to Freeze Your ChexSystems Report

You can add a security freeze to your ChexSystems report to help keep someone from opening...

By Louis DeNicola

Aug 13, 2026Credit report & scores

VantageScore^® vs. FICO^®: What’s the Difference?

FICO® and VantageScore® develop and sell multiple versions of their credit scoring models....

By Louis DeNicola

Aug 10, 2026Score advice

How to Teach Your Kids About Online Scams

If you're ready to teach your kids about online scams, it's essential to arm yourself with...

By Tim Maxwell

Aug 6, 2026Kids

Are Credit Disputes Free?

The national credit bureaus never charge for credit report disputes, and for-profit credit...

By Jim Akin

Aug 6, 2026Dispute

How to Financially Prepare for a Child With Special Needs

Having kids is an expensive endeavor, but parents of special needs kids face extra expense...

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

Aug 6, 2026Kids

How to Pay for a Divorce

There are many ways to pay for a divorce, including getting a personal loan, using credit ...

By Karen Axelton

Aug 6, 2026Divorce

How to Help Pay for Your Child’s Wedding

Before agreeing to pay for your child's wedding, consider your finances and your options, ...

By Karen Axelton

Aug 6, 2026Marriage

How to Find Scholarships to Pay for College

Scholarships are available through your school, as well as private organizations. Here’s w...

By Ben Luthi

Aug 6, 2026Students

How to Handle Your Finances During a Legal Separation

Although your divorce isn't final, it's essential to treat your finances as separate durin...

By Geoff Williams

Aug 6, 2026Divorce

How to Clean Up Your Credit Report

To clean up your credit, the most important step is to scour your credit report and to dis...

By Brianna McGurran

Aug 6, 2026Dispute

How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget

Sticking to a wedding budget can help you save money, which could leave funds to meet othe...

By Taylor Medine

Aug 6, 2026Marriage

How to Attend College for Free

College can be very expensive for some, but there are many opportunities to attend school ...

By Ben Luthi

Aug 5, 2026Students

Does My Child Have a Credit Report?

Minors typically don't have their own credit reports yet, but there are a few reasons why ...

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

Aug 5, 2026Kids

7 Surprising Things That Can Affect Your Credit

Your credit score is crucial to your financial well-being, so it's important to know what ...

By Ben Luthi

Aug 5, 2026Score advice

How Student Loan Debt Gets Split When You Divorce

How student loan debt is divided in a divorce depends on when you borrowed the money and s...

By Taylor Medine

Aug 5, 2026Divorce

Should We Buy a House or Have a Wedding?

Couples who've saved some cash might have to choose between a wedding or a home. Find out ...

By Gayle Sato

Aug 5, 2026Marriage

How Quickly Will Paying Off an Account Affect My Credit Score?

It may take a month or longer to see a change in your credit scores once you pay off an ac...

By Jennifer White

Aug 5, 2026Closed accounts

Do Utility Company Inquiries Hurt Your Credit Score?

Utility inquiries can impact your credit report. Whether that impact is negative or positi...

By Ben Luthi

Aug 4, 2026Score advice

How Much Available Credit Should I Have on My Credit Cards?

Your available credit on your credit cards can have a big impact on your credit score. Her...

By Ben Luthi

Aug 4, 2026Credit limits

Can I Get Spousal and Child Support During a Legal Separation?

If your state allows the process of legal separation, you may be eligible to receive child...

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

Aug 4, 2026Divorce

Can You Afford to Quit Your Job?

You want to quit your job—but can you afford to do so? Here's what to consider when decidi...

By Karen Axelton

Aug 4, 2026Employment

How “Short Account History” Affects Your FICO Score

Here's what you can (and cannot) do if "Short account history" is listed as a top factor t...

By Jim Akin

Aug 4, 2026Credit report & scores

What Is a Bank Credit Score?

If your bank or credit union provides you a credit score, here's how you can use it to und...

By Jim Akin

Aug 4, 2026Score advice

Does Buying Stocks Affect My Credit Score?

Buying stock generally won't impact your credit scores, but applying for a margin account ...

By Louis DeNicola

Aug 4, 2026Credit report & scores

Does Getting Declined for a Credit Limit Increase Affect Your Credit?

Getting declined for a credit limit increase doesn't always impact your credit scores. But...

By Louis DeNicola

Aug 4, 2026Credit limits

Do I Have to Notify Experian to Remove Collections?

Accurate information that's less than seven years old can't be removed from a credit repor...

By Gayle Sato

Aug 4, 2026Collections

Do Insurance Companies Report to the Credit Bureaus?

Insurers don't report information to credit bureaus, but unpaid insurance bills still coul...

By Jim Akin

Aug 4, 2026Credit report & scores

Do Credit Reports Include Credit Scores?

Credit scores are calculated using information found in your credit reports, but credit re...

By Jim Akin

Aug 4, 2026Score advice

Why You Should Check Your Credit Report Even If Your Credit Is Frozen

Even if your credit is frozen, you still need to check your credit report regularly to pro...

By Karen Axelton

Aug 4, 2026Report advice

Credit Mistakes to Avoid When You Are Young

To have good credit when you're ready to get a job, rent an apartment or get a car loan, f...

By Gayle Sato

Aug 4, 2026Establishing credit

How Do I Handle Settled Collection Accounts on My Credit Report?

When you settle an account, the creditor will update the account on your credit report to ...

By Jennifer White

Aug 4, 2026Collections

Can Credit Report Disputes Lower Credit Scores?

Disputing inaccurate credit report data has no direct effect on credit scores, but if a di...

By Jim Akin

Aug 4, 2026Dispute

Does Paying Off a Credit Card Lower Your Credit Scores?

Paying off a credit usually helps your credit scores, but there are exceptions. Here's wha...

By Jennifer White

Aug 3, 2026Score advice

Does Closing an Account Hurt Your Credit?

If you're thinking of closing one of your credit cards because you don't use it anymore, t...

By Jennifer White

Aug 3, 2026Closed accounts

Does Taking Money Out of Your Savings Affect Your Credit?

Withdrawing money from your savings account won’t affect your credit, but having a robust ...

By Ben Luthi

Aug 3, 2026Score advice

9 Credit Repair Tips

Rather than hire a for-profit credit repair company, which can increase your debt without ...

By Jim Akin

Aug 3, 2026Improve credit

10 Ways for Kids to Make Money

Teaching your kids the value of earning money can set them up for future financial success...

By Hillary Back

Jul 31, 2026Kids

What Is a Divorce Decree?

A divorce decree is the formal document issued when a judge finalizes your divorce. It out...

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

Jul 31, 2026Divorce

Should Parents Pay for College?

If dipping into savings or taking out loans will jeopardize your financial plans, you may ...

By Taylor Medine

Jul 31, 2026Students

9 Ways to Talk to Kids About Your Family’s Financial Struggles

Discussing family financial problems openly with your children can help reduce their fears...

By Karen Axelton

Jul 31, 2026Kids

Why Is My Credit Limit So Low?

Understanding what affects low credit limits can help you take steps to qualify for more b...

By Jim Akin

Jul 31, 2026Credit limits

5 Ways to Save Money on Extracurriculars for Kids

Looking to cut some expenses from your budget by reducing extracurricular activity costs? ...

By Emily Cahill

Jul 31, 2026Kids

7 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding Dress

Smart shopping at online bridal sites, going vintage, looking for samples or rentals, and ...

By Gayle Sato

Jul 31, 2026Marriage

7 Wedding Expenses You Can Skip

Couples planning their wedding may get hit with sticker shock. If you're trying to host a ...

By Michelle Jackson

Jul 31, 2026Marriage

Does Checking My Credit Lower My Score?

Checking your credit doesn't affect your credit score, but other types of credit checks ca...

By Ben Luthi

Jul 29, 2026Score advice

When Should I Combine Finances With My Partner?

It's wise to wait to combine finances until you've married or committed long term and you ...

By Brianna McGurran

Jul 15, 2026Marriage

What to Do When Someone Dies: A Complete Checklist

Use our step-by-step checklist and timeline to keep track of everything you need to do aft...

By Karen Axelton

Jul 15, 2026Death of a relative

What Credit Monitoring Can Do For You

Learn what credit monitoring can—and can’t—do for you. Read why it’s important to monitor ...

By Ben Luthi

Jul 10, 2026Report advice

What Should I Do When My Credit Score Drops?

A drop in your credit score can be stressful, but there are steps you can take to get back...

By Sarah Archambault

Jul 10, 2026Improve credit

How Often Should I Check My Credit Score?

Keep a regular eye on your credit and check it several months before submitting important ...

By Louis DeNicola

Jul 10, 2026Score advice

What Is a Soft Inquiry?

Soft inquiries are a type of credit pull that doesn't have an impact on your credit scores...

By Louis DeNicola

Jun 24, 2026Inquiry

What Is a Probate Sale?

Buying a home through a probate sale might save you money, but it comes with unique challe...

By Marianne Hayes

Jun 24, 2026Death of a relative

4 Reasons to Keep Your Finances Separate After Marriage

Lots of couples choose to have separate finances in marriage—and that may feel like your b...

By Marianne Hayes

Jun 24, 2026Marriage

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