Credit & Money News
Guides, explainers and updates on credit scores, credit reports and personal finance.
Why Bond Market Swings Push Mortgage Rates Up and Down
Mortgage rates often rise when the bond market struggles, even when the Federal Reserve does nothing. Here is why bond yields and home loan rates move together.
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- Personal Finance
What to Do When Gas Prices Jump: 8 Ways to Protect Your Budget
When pump prices climb, the extra cost lands fast. These practical steps cut fuel spending and keep a short-term squeeze from turning into credit card debt.
- Credit Cards
Is a Hotel Credit Card With a $350 Annual Fee Worth It?
Hotel co-brand cards keep adding fees and perks. Use this simple framework to decide whether a $350 annual fee card pays for itself for how you actually travel.
- Credit Cards
Airline Card Welcome Offers: How to Judge a 100,000-Mile Bonus
Big mileage bonuses are tempting, but the best offer is the one you can earn and use. Learn how to evaluate airline credit card welcome offers before you apply.
- Credit Cards
Points Devaluation Explained: What a 4:3 Transfer Ratio Really Costs You
When a rewards program changes its transfer ratio, your points buy less. Learn how to read a 4:3 ratio, calculate the loss and decide whether to act before it changes.
- Personal Finance
Prime Day and Other Big Sales: Shopping Rules That Protect Your Credit
Sale events create pressure to spend fast. These simple rules help you get real deals without damaging your credit or your budget.
- Investing
Why Companies Delay IPOs and What It Means for Everyday Investors
High-profile companies sometimes push back stock market debuts. Learn what an IPO is, why timing slips, and how ordinary investors should respond.
- Credit Scores
Does Checking Your Credit Score Lower It?
No. Checking your own credit score is a soft inquiry and never lowers it. Learn the difference between soft and hard inquiries and how each affects your credit.
- Credit Scores
Why Your Experian and TransUnion Scores Are Different
Your Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax scores differ because lenders report to bureaus at different times and not all to every bureau. Here is why, and what to do.
- Credit Scores
How Often Does Your Credit Score Update?
Your credit score can change as often as your lenders report — usually every 30 to 45 days, and sometimes more often. Here is what triggers an update and when.
- Credit Scores
What Is a Good Credit Score?
A good FICO credit score is generally 670 to 739. See how the ranges break down from poor to exceptional, and what a good score gets you.
- Credit Scores
Credit Score Ranges: What 300 to 850 Really Means
Credit scores run from 300 to 850. See the FICO and VantageScore ranges — poor, fair, good, very good, and exceptional — and where you stand.
- Credit Scores
What Affects Your Credit Score? The 5 Factors
Five factors determine your FICO score: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of history (15%), new credit (10%), and credit mix (10%).
- Credit Repair
How to Dispute Credit Report Errors (Step by Step)
You have a federal right to dispute credit report errors for free. Learn how to file a dispute with the bureaus, what to include, and the 30-day timeline.
- Credit Repair
609 Dispute Letter: Free Template and the Truth
A 609 dispute letter is just a credit dispute citing your right to information. There is no secret loophole — but disputing inaccurate items does work. Free template inside.
- Credit Repair
How to Remove Collections From Your Credit Report
You can remove a collection by disputing inaccuracies, requesting debt validation, or negotiating. Here is how each works — and what is realistic.
