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building credit

Q&A: My kids grew up. Will their credit scores go down?

June 24, 2024 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: Many years ago I took out a credit card to pay for my two children’s college expenses. They were authorized users for miscellaneous expenses. They no longer use or even have access to the cards. Now they are both in stable, well-paying jobs. I would like to keep the card but remove the authorized users. How would this affect their credit scores? Or mine, for that matter?

Answer: You helped your kids establish good credit by adding them as authorized users. Removing them won’t affect your credit scores. The effect on their scores depends on how well they’ve managed credit on their own.

The impact should be minimal if they’ve continued to build credit by opening their own credit cards and paying those on time. Ideally, for credit-building purposes, they’ll also have a solid history paying an installment loan, such as a mortgage, student loan or auto loan.

If they haven’t used credit much and have a thin file — generally, fewer than five accounts showing on their credit reports — the damage might be more significant. If that’s the case, you may want to delay removing them as authorized users while they open other lines of credit. They should know that they don’t have to carry debt to have good credit: Just using credit cards lightly and paying the balances in full should do the job.

Filed Under: Credit Scoring, Kids & Money, Q&A Tagged With: authorized user, building credit, Credit Cards, Credit Score, Credit Scores, credit scoring, kids and money

Q&A: Retail cards are often easier to get than credit cards

April 15, 2024 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: You recently answered a question from someone who was rejected for a credit card because of a lack of credit history. Years ago, my wife was rejected for similar reasons. She signed up for a card with a local retailer, then successfully reapplied for the credit card six months later. Maybe the industry has consolidated enough that this won’t work anymore, but it did then.

Answer: Retail cards are often easier to get than credit cards, although these days people also can start their credit histories using secured cards or credit-builder loans. Secured cards offer a credit line equal to a deposit made to the issuing bank. With a credit builder loan, the borrowed amount is stored in a savings account or certificate of deposit that the borrower can claim after a set number of monthly payments.

The original questioner already had a credit history, however, along with high credit scores. The issuer that rejected their application cited a lack of an installment loan history. In other words, there was no mortgage, student, auto or personal loan showing on their credit reports. That’s not something that typically would keep someone from getting approved for a credit card, hence the recommendation that the questioner call the issuer and ask for a reconsideration.

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Q&A Tagged With: building credit, Credit Cards

Monday’s need-to-know money news

December 27, 2021 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Student loan pause is extended. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on what our listeners accomplished this year, 6 Instagram tips for small-business owners, and for young adults, building credit starts now.

Student Loan Pause is Extended
Payments will resume May 2nd.

Smart Money Podcast: What Our Listeners Accomplished This Year, Part 2
This week’s episode continues our celebration of our listeners’ money wins in 2021.

6 Instagram Tips for Small-Business Owners, by Small-Business Owners
Learn how to build an effective small-business Instagram strategy that takes up minimal time.

For Young Adults, Building Credit Starts Now
Building your credit while you’re young will pay off in the future, and it may be easier than you think.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: building credit, instagram tips, small business owners, Smart Money podcast, student loan pause

Monday’s need-to-know money news

July 20, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: 6 credit card scams and how to avoid them. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on COVID impulse spending and building credit while paying off debt, how Black Friday shopping could look very different this year, and making a plan to repay your borrowed 401(k) money.

6 Credit Card Scams and How to Avoid Them
Crooks don’t have to steal your card — just your card information. Keep your money and your identity safe.

Smart Money Podcast: COVID Impulse Spending, and Building Credit While Paying Debt
Finding the right payoff method for your debt.

Black Friday Shopping Could Look Very Different This Year
Lining up for doorbusters could be a thing of the past.

Make a Plan to Repay Your Borrowed 401(k) Money
Start thinking of a payoff strategy.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: 401(k), Black Friday, building credit, COVID impulse spending, credit card scams, payback plan, Paying Off Debt, SmartMoney podcast

Friday’s need-to-know money news

July 17, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Is it okay to never have a credit card? Also in the news: How to organize important documents simply and safely, can a credit card company lower your credit limit, and how to try and prevent your eviction.

Is It OK to Never Have a Credit Card?
Using credit cards responsibly is one way to build your credit history — but it’s not the only way.

How to Organize Important Documents Simply and Safely
What you should keep and for how long.

Can a Credit Card Company Lower My Credit Limit?
Cardholders are seeing an increase in reductions.

How to Try and Prevent Your Eviction
23 million renting families could lose their homes by September 30.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: building credit, Credit Cards, credit limits, Credit Score, documents, eviction, financial documents

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

January 15, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Smart ways to establish credit in 2020. Also in the news: 3 strategies to recover from holiday overshopping, the pros and cons of merging money when married, and how to downgrade your Chase card without losing your points.

Smart Ways to Establish Credit in 2020
Sorting through the options.

Overshopped in December? Try These 3 Strategies to Recover
Beating the holiday shopping hangover.

Does Marriage Have to Mean Merging Money?
A look at the pros and cons.

How to Downgrade Your Chase Credit Card Without Losing Your Points
A change in annual fee has customers thinking twice.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: building credit, Chase credit card, couples and money, Credit, holiday spending, money and marriage, reward points, tips

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