By Katrina Josey
While several factors besides a credit score determine whether credit is granted, the score itself is still a strong determinant by itself. It's important to know what factors into a credit score and which factors weigh the most. There are five subcategories of what determines a credit score. A significant portion (35 percent) of the credit score is determined by payment history. This...
By Stephanie Mojica
Getting someone else's credit report may be essential if the person owes you a debt. In addition to information about credit obligations, credit reports include current addresses and whether the debtor owns assets such as a house. You can also get a general idea if the debtor might be headed toward bankruptcy if there are a lot of outstanding collections and late payments on the credit...
By Beth Williams
Debit cards are, in many ways, the new cash. Whereas it was once a necessity to carry cash, most places today, from gas stations to grocery stores, accept debit cards. Debit cards offer a plethora of advantages, but they also require you to carefully maintain records and to keep track of your bank account's balance. One of the biggest advantages of a debit card is the convenience it...
By Brian Nelson
When it comes to getting a loan, one important factor is a person's credit score. That credit score is calculated from the information in your credit report. Each item in your credit report has the ability to raise or lower your credit score--sometimes significantly. As a result, it is important to understand how a credit report gets updated. Credit bureaus maintain a history of a...
By Beth Williams
Most people today have at least one credit card, and many people have multiple credit cards. While credit cards offer convenience and flexibility with paying for products or services, they also have their downsides, including high interest rates. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of credit card is an important step to ensuring responsible use. Beyond the obvious advantages, such as...