How Credit Utilization Works and What to Watch
Credit utilization compares revolving balances with limits. Both individual cards and the combined picture can matter.
Credit Repair Choices
Credit Scores
Why Two Legitimate Credit Scores Can Both Be Real at the Same Time
The CFPB says there is no single universal credit score used by every lender, which is why consumers can see different numbers without any one of them being fake.
Hard Inquiries, Soft Inquiries, and What They Can Actually Do to a Credit Score
Not every credit check affects your score. Here is the CFPB’s basic breakdown of hard and soft inquiries and what consumers should expect.
What debt-to-income ratio measures.
Debt-to-income ratio compares recurring monthly debt payments with gross monthly income and is used in many lending decisions.
The simple difference between revolving and installment credit.
Revolving credit lets borrowers reuse available credit as balances are repaid, unlike a fixed installment loan.
Two different ways a credit card can affect your scores.
Credit-card balances can affect utilization, while on-time payment history remains a separate scoring factor.
Why your credit scores may not all match.
Credit scoring models use information from credit reports, but different models can weigh that information differently.
Questions to Ask About Payment History
A practical guide to payment history, the records to check, and the next steps to consider.
Common Mistakes People Make With Payment History
A practical guide to payment history, the records to check, and the next steps to consider.
A Step-by-Step Checklist for Payment History
A practical guide to payment history, the records to check, and the next steps to consider.