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Credit

Learn how to build credit, maintain it, and even repair it when things get a bit off track.

Best Credit Building Tools

Best ways to build credit

Get A Free Credit Score

Check your scores for free

Build Business Credit

Set your business up for success

Best Credit Builder Loans

No credit check

Best Credit Repair Companies

When you need professional help

Best Credit Repair Software

For individuals and business

Products & Services

Here are some of our favorite credit-related products and services.

Self logo
Self

Build credit and savings with Self credit builder loan

Read Review
myFICO logo
myFICO

See all your FICO scores in one place

Read Review
Boom logo
Boom

Cheapest way to get credit for paying your rent

Read Review
Chime Secured Visa® Credit Card logo
Chime Secured Visa® Credit Card

A new way to build credit

Read Review
Experian Boost logo
Experian Boost

Report utility and telephone bills

Read Review
Sesame Cash logo
Sesame Cash

Debit card that builds credit

Read Review

Credit Basics

New to credit? Here are some basics.

What Is a Credit Score: Definition, Factors and How to Improve It

28 mins read

Learn How Your Credit Score Is Calculated – 5 Key Factors

8 mins read

How to Read a Credit Report: The Ultimate Guide

10 mins read

How to Rebuild Credit: 8 No-Nonsense Strategies That Work

11 mins read

8 Best Ways to Build Credit at 18

13 mins read

5 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score Fast

13 mins read
Explore credit: Credit Scores | Credit Repair | Identity Theft

Credit Tools & Resources

All the tools you need to manage and repair your credit.

DIY Credit Repair Kit

The 9-step action plan to repair your credit + 17 letter templates

Auto Loan Payment by Credit Score

See how your credit impacts a payment on an auto loan

609 Credit Dispute Letter Template

Tried and tested template that works

Credit Inquiry Removal Letter Template

Remove an unauthorized inquiry on your credit report

Goodwill Letter Template

Remove a late payment from your credit report

Pay For Delete Letter

Settle with a collection agency

Latest Articles

25 mins read

11 Best Ways to Build Credit in 2025

Explore our complete list of top credit building tools that can help you establish or improve your credit score.

Read More
What Are Tradelines?

What Are Tradelines and How Do They Affect Your Credit?

8 mins read
What to Do if You're a Victim of Identity Theft

What to Do if You’re a Victim of Identity Theft

9 mins read
How to Prevent Identity Theft

12 Crucial Steps for Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft

Identity theft can be devastating and can take years to recover from. Here's how to prevent identity theft by following a few basic steps.

What Countries Have Credit Scores?

What Countries Have Credit Scores and How Do They Work?

Other countries have credit scores that are very different from the ones we use in the United States. Find out how they work.

Why Are My Credit Scores Different

Why Are My Credit Scores Different?

Credit scores can be different for a variety of reasons including timing, credit bureau pulled, scoring model used, and more.

Credit repair myths

10 1/2 Credit Repair Myths And Facts

13 mins read
Credit mix

What Is Credit Mix and How Does It Affect Your Credit Score?

9 mins read
When and Why Were Credit Scores Invented?

When Were Credit Scores Invented? A Brief History

Do you want to know when and why credit scores were invented? Let’s review the history of credit scores in America, and examine how they evolved into their modern form.

Hard and soft inquiries on your credit report

Soft Inquiry vs. Hard Inquiry: How Do They Affect Your Credit?

Hard or soft inquiries are recorded every time someone checks your credit. Learn about what they are and how they affect your credit score!

Rapid rescore

What Is a Rapid Rescore, and How Do You Get One?

A rapid rescore may help you reduce your interest rate on a loan if you use it correctly. Learn what it is, how it works, and when to use one.

What is credit utilization

What Is Credit Utilization, How It’s Calculated and How to Improve It

Your credit utilization is an important part of your credit score. Learn how to calculate it and all the ways in which you can improve it!

Important credit terms and definitions

15 Important Credit Terms and Definitions You Need to Know

11 mins read
How to get an apartment without credit

10+ Tips for Renting an Apartment With No Credit

7 mins read
How long does it take to build credit?

How Long Does It Take to Build Credit?

How long does it take to build credit? That will depend on several factors, but it's worth the time it takes. Here's what you need to know.

What is a thin credit file

Thin Credit Files: What They Are and How to Fix Them

You might have a thin credit file and not even know it. Let’s take a closer look at what it is and what you can do about it.

How can I dispute a credit report entry

How to Dispute Information On Your Credit Report

Credit report errors can hammer your credit score. Learn how to dispute a credit report entry and get those errors removed!

How long do items stay on my credit report?

How Long Does Information Stay on Your Credit Report?

Wondering how long certain items can stay on your credit report? Let's look at the rules and some common items you'll find on credit reports.

How to read a credit report?

How to Read a Credit Report: The Ultimate Guide

Whether you're trying to improve your credit score or check for identity theft, you'll need to know how to read a credit report. Here's our complete guide to help you learn.

How is my credit score calculated?

Learn How Your Credit Score Is Calculated – 5 Key Factors

Knowing how your credit score is calculated is the first step toward improving it. Here's what you need to know to understand that number.

1 2 3 … 9 Next »

FAQs

  • How long does bankruptcy stay on your credit report?

    Most personal bankruptcies fall into two types, Chapter 13 and Chapter 7. As explained earlier, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years after the filing date.

    Learn more about how long items stay on your credit report

  • What is a thin credit file?

    A thin credit file means that your credit record either has too little in it to generate a score, or it doesn’t have enough to convince potential creditors that you’re an acceptable risk.

    Learn about thin credit files

  • Can I get an apartment with no credit?

    Getting an apartment with no credit history might be difficult but by no means impossible. Here are some steps you can take:

    – Look for small landlord
    – Offer a higher deposit
    – Offer  a short-term lease
    – Get references
    – Find a roomate
    – More options

  • What is a FICO Score?

    A FICO score refers to the credit score calculated by the Fair Isaac Corporation.

    Learn more about FICO scores

  • Can medical bills affect your credit?

    Many, if not most, medical providers do not report to credit reporting agencies. In case a medical provider cannot get you to pay a medical debt, they will send your account to a collection agency. They will almost always report the debt to a credit reporting agency.

    Learn more about how medical bills affect your credit score

     

  • What is a credit mix?

    Your FICO credit score is built upon five main factors, and your credit mix is one of them. Credit mix represents a balance of revolving and installment credit accounts in your credit report.

    Learn more about credit mix

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