Practical credit score tips, myth-busting, and industry news. Every fact sourced from FICO, the CFPB, and the credit bureaus.
Being added as an authorized user on a credit card with good history can add significant points to your FICO score. Here's how it works, what to watch for, and who it makes sense for.
Read more →Credit report errors are common and can hurt your score significantly. Here's the exact process to dispute them with Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax under the FCRA.
Read more →Your credit report is the raw data. Your credit score is calculated from that data. Here's exactly how they relate, what's in each, and why you need to monitor both.
Read more →A hard inquiry happens when a lender checks your credit during a loan application. It can lower your FICO score by up to 5 points. Here's exactly when it matters and when it doesn't.
Read more →Secured cards require a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit. Unsecured cards don't. Here's how each works, when to use which, and how to graduate from secured to unsecured.
Read more →A credit freeze is free, permanent until you remove it, and the best defense against identity theft. Here's how to freeze your credit at Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax in under 10 minutes.
Read more →The minimum credit score to buy a house depends on your loan type. FHA loans go as low as 500. Conventional loans typically require 620. Here's what you actually need.
Read more →Credit utilization is 30% of your FICO score. Here's exactly how it's calculated, what ratio to aim for, and the fastest ways to lower it — sourced from myFICO.
Read more →Missed payments stay 7 years. Bankruptcy stays 7–10. Here's the exact timeline for every negative item on your credit report, sourced from the FCRA and CFPB.
Read more →No, checking your own credit report will not lower your FICO score. This is called a "soft inquiry" and has zero impact on your credit score. You can check your
Read more →