Reading credit reports can be very confusing. A credit report is divided into four sections: Identifying information, credit history, public records and inquiries. Identifying information: Well, just that—information to identify you. Here's where you...

You know that your credit scores are based on your money management history - and if you're working hard to rebuild your rating, it can be very frustrating to see the same old negative information showing up on your credit report. Unfortunately, there'...

When you think of your reputation you think of things like honesty, sense of humor, generosity, punctuality, your love life, and the way you treat other people. They're all personal habits, and so is the way you handle money. The difference is, whil...

You may not know that you are a victim until you are denied a loan, credit card or anything else the requires a credit report. Suddenly you discover someone has opened accounts in your name and of course not paid them. What could you have done? BUY ...

Strangers - all kinds of strangers - are regularly looking at your credit scores, accessing your history, and forming pictures of your life. All they need is your social security number - and that isn't hard to get any more. Who are these people, and w...

Gone are the days of sub-prime mortgages, stated-income, and zero down loans and loans for folks with no credit scores. Gone also are the creative financing options that allowed sellers to carry back a note for part of your down payment. Maybe they'll ...

Getting a better credits score report, sure; that sounds easy. If you had extra money you wouldn't have those debts, right? But stop and think about it. If you really want a secure financial future, it's in your best interest to cut spending and get th...

A credit score is an indicator of how likely you are to default on a loan or credit card. Your credit score is determined by a combination of the following: 1. Payment History. Do you pay your bills on time? Are there recent late payments? How many...

All good education begins at home, and that definitely includes education in money management. If your kids learn well, they'll reach adulthood with the ability to buy a home and begin building financial equity throughout their lives. You may have to help...

Starting out in life with a good credit score will open doors for you that you can't even imagine. You'll get better jobs, live in better places, drive better cars, and best of all - the things you want will cost you far less than your "poor credit" frien...

You know what they say about computers: "Garbage in, garbage out." And all too often with data entry, garbage goes in. If you do any typing yourself, you know how easy it is to make a mistake. Even when the document you're writing means a great deal to...

Identity theft and identity fraud are the fastest growing crime in the world. Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that invo...

If your credit score is good, you'll know it. Pre-approved credit offers will be stuffed in your mailbox every day, and banks will likely bend over backwards to offer you the lowest rates on all types of loans. However, if your credit score is low or non-...

Marriage is about much more than love and romance. It's about a life partnership, and that partnership includes money. So before you set the date, check your credit scores. If you're dreaming of setting up housekeeping in that cottage with the white pi...

Realtors and lenders are almost as bad as computer tech people at tossing out words and phrases you don't understand. The funny part is, sometimes even they don't know what those words really mean. FICO is one of them. It's not really a word, but the i...