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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

7 mins read

What Is UltraFICO? Here’s What You Need to Know

UltraFICO is a new credit scoring model that includes your banking history. It can boost your credit score and improve your approval odds.

Read More
How Does a Personal Loan Affect Your Credit Scores?

How Does a Personal Loan Affect Credit Score? This Is How

8 mins read
Why Did My Credit Score Go Down When Nothing Changed?

Why Did My Credit Score Go Down When Nothing Changed?

11 mins read
Does Closing a Credit Card Affect Your Credit Score?

Does Closing a Credit Card Affect Your Credit Score?

How does closing a credit card affect your credit score? Factors like credit mix, credit history, and utilization ratio all play a role.

How to Build Business Credit with Bad Personal Credit

How to Build Business Credit with Bad Personal Credit

Do you want to build business credit with bad personal credit? Here's the difference between the two and why you should keep them separate.

How Long Does It Take to Build Business Credit?

How Long Does It Take to Build Business Credit?

On average, it can take two or more years to build good business credit, depending on how well you manage your tradelines.

What Is a Business Credit Score and How Does It Work?

What Is a Business Credit Score and How Does It Work?

7 mins read
How to Rent an Apartment with Bad Credit

How to Rent an Apartment with Bad Credit

4 mins read
Does Debt Consolidation Hurt Your Credit?

Does Debt Consolidation Hurt Your Credit?

Debt consolidation can be an effective loan payment strategy, but does debt consolidation hurt your credit? let's find out.

Best Credit Building Tools

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.

What Are Tradelines?

What Are Tradelines and How Do They Affect Your Credit?

What are tradelines and how does the information they report affect your creditworthiness? Here's what you need to know.

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

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

If you know or suspect that you are the victim of identity theft, you must take action immediately. Here's what to do.

How to Prevent Identity Theft

12 Crucial Steps for Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft

11 mins read
What Countries Have Credit Scores?

What Countries Have Credit Scores and How Do They Work?

10 mins read
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

Credit repair myths can be found all over the internet. We take a look at some myths and also at some helpful realities!

Credit mix

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

Credit mix refers to the balance of credit account types on your credit reports. It's a significant factor in calculating your credit score.

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.

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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