Articles Index
Credit Card Balance Transfer Basics
A credit card balance transfer is a type of transaction where you use one credit card to pay off another credit card's balance. Balance transfers can help you save money, but they can also lead to debt if they're not done right.
Double Billing Cycle Finance Charges Revealed
Explains the double billing cycle method of computing finance charges and demonstrates how it can be more costly for cardholders who want to pay their balance off quickly.
Seven Types of Loans
There are many different types of loans. When you're shopping for a loan, it's important to know the types of loans that are out there.
3 Ways Borrowing a Loan Impacts Your Credit Score
Taking out a loan can impact your credit score. Even applying for a loan can reduce your score. Learn how borrowing a loan affects your credit.
Basics of Personal Loans
Personal loans are unsecured loans that have a fixed amount, interest rate, and repayment period.
Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
Student loans are a heavy burden for many college graduates. There are many student loan forgiveness programs that might eliminate some or all of your student loan debt.
How Secured Loans Are Different From Unsecured Loans
Secured loans are different from unsecured loans in one key way. Secured loans require you to use an asset to secure the loan.
Does Credit Monitoring Really Prevent ID Theft?
The rise of identity theft has also sparked interest in credit monitoring services. Credit monitoring aids in early detection of identity theft, allowing you to quickly respond to suspicious changes in your credit.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Overview
Debt collectors aren't free to take whatever means necessary to collect a debt. In fact, they are governed by federal laws. Being aware of these laws helps protect you from the unscrupulous practices of certain debt collectors.
The Credit Cardholder's Bill of Rights Act of 2009
Signed by the President on May 22, 2009, the Credit Cardholder's Bill of Rights Act of 2009 will ban numerous predatory practices in the credit card industry, such as double cycle billing finance charges and interest rate increases on pre-existing balances.
New Credit Card Rules for Young Adults
The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 restricts credit card companies from giving credit cards to a consumer under 21 unless that person has the means to repay the balance or has a cosigner.
How to Get Credit For the First Time
How to apply for credit for the first time. The steps you should take and what to watch out for.
What is a Credit Report and Why is it Important?
Your credit report is a compilation of information about the way you pay your bills. Credit reports are maintained by credit bureaus and used by lenders to decide whether to give you a loan.
Types of Debt Consolidation Loans
If you've managed to accumulate a large amount of debt, you may have considered a debt consolidation loan to give you some relief. With a debt consolidation loan, you combine all your high interest rate debts into a single, lower interest rate loan.
Avoid a Bad Credit Loan Scam
You may be tempted to sign up for an attractive bad credit loan but many of these bad credit loans are scams and can leave you out of hundreds, even thousands of dollars in "fees."
How Credit Card Skimming Works
Credit card skimming is a type of credit card fraud that can be difficult to detect until fraudulent charges have been made. Learn how to avoid credit card skimming.
What You Pay For Charges on a Stolen Credit Card
Dealing with a stolen credit card isn't easy. Here are some tips for resolving issues with a stolen credit card.
How a Balance Transfer Could Affect Your Credit Score
A balance transfer can come in handy when you want to pay a lower interest rate on your credit card balance. However, a balance transfer could affect your credit score. Here's how.
Your Credit Card Account Could Be Closed Due to Inactivity
If you haven't used your credit card in awhile, here's why your credit card issuer might close your account and what you can do about it.
Lower Your Debt With Credit Card Debt Settlement
If your debt is too high to pay and you're already behind on your bills, credit card debt settlement can make your debt more affordable.
How Cash Payday Loans Work
A cash payday loan is a quick way to get access to cash in an emergency. Learn how cash payday loans work and why you should stay away from them.
How to Remove a Charge-Off From Your Credit Report
A credit card charge-offs is one of the worst things that can happen to your credit. When you're working on credit repair, taking care of charged-off accounts helps improve your credit score.
How to Dispute Credit Report Information
You can remove credit report errors by submitting a a credit report dispute to the credit bureaus. Find out how to submit a credit report dispute to clean up your credit report.
The New FICO 08 Credit Scoring Formula
FICO (formerly known as Fair Isaac) updated its credit scoring model in January 2009 to better predict the likelihood that consumers will repay their credit bills. The new credit score called FICO 08 has been adopted by two of the three major credit bureaus.
Basic Types of Personal Bankruptcy
The two major types of personal bankruptcy for consumers are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 allows you to discharge debt after some assets have been liquidated. Chapter 13 allows you to discharge debt after completing a payment plan.