What Is A Charge-Off And How Does It Affect Your Credit Score?

Updated Nov 01, 2023
By Melissa Cook
What Is A Charge-Off And How Does It Affect Your Credit Score?

A 'Charge-Off' can also refer to the action of writing off a bad debt by a company for accounting purposes. This essentially means that the creditor has given up on collecting the debt from...

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What is Debt to Income Ratio: Formula & How It’s Used

Updated Oct 12, 2022
By Aaron Sarentino
What is Debt to Income Ratio: Formula & How It’s Used

Debt to income ratio is a financial term used to describe the percentage of an individual's monthly income that goes towards paying debts. This figure provides creditors with an indication of an individual's ability...

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How Often Is Your Credit Score and Credit Report Updated?

Updated Aug 12, 2022
By Aaron Sarentino
How Often Is Your Credit Score and Credit Report Updated?

Lenders use your credit score to determine your creditworthiness. It is essentially a grade that tells them how likely you are to pay them back in full and on time. This grade will influence...

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5 Ways to Increase Your Credit Score After Finishing A Debt Relief Program

Updated Aug 01, 2022
By Aaron Sarentino
5 Ways to Increase Your Credit Score After Finishing A Debt Relief Program

Improving your credit score after finishing a debt relief program can be intimidating, but the process becomes easier when you break it down into smaller steps. Read on for 5 ways to increase your...

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Average Credit Score by State: How Does Yours Stack Up?

Updated Jul 12, 2022
By Aaron Sarentino
Average Credit Score by State: How Does Yours Stack Up?

As part of their annual study, Experian surveyed today’s consumer credit behaviors ― including how credit scores compare among the 50 states.

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The Anatomy of a Credit Score – Understanding the Complicated Credit Scoring System

Updated Jun 07, 2022
By Aaron Sarentino
The Anatomy of a Credit Score – Understanding the Complicated Credit Scoring System

Credit scores are so misunderstood and generally regarded as a de facto measurement of borrowing strength. Also, many consumers misguidedly assume that credit scores include income, assets, or net worth in their calculations. We...

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How to Maintain a Clean Credit Score

Updated Jan 27, 2022
By Aaron Sarentino
How to Maintain a Clean Credit Score

Almost every US citizen knows their Social Security number by heart, even if it’s a meaningless series of digits, but too few of us know our credit scores. Your credit score has a profound...

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Credit Reports, Credit Scores and Credit Transactions

Updated Apr 09, 2020
By Aaron Sarentino
Credit Reports, Credit Scores and Credit Transactions

When you apply for a credit card, a personal loan, or insurance, a file about you is created. This file, known as your “credit report,” is maintained by credit reporting companies. Your report will...

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3 Simple Ways Young Adults Can Build Credit

Updated Sep 18, 2018
By Minh Tong
3 Simple Ways Young Adults Can Build Credit

Building credit can be challenging when you don’t have any credit history to your name, and many don’t know where to start. You may or may not get approved for a credit card, auto...

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