Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Credit Scores

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

2Today’s top story: How the new advisor rule will effect your retirement investments. Also in the news: Why a better FICO score leads to a better retirement, how to avoid retirement rip-offs, and protecting your tax returns from criminals.

What the New Advisor Rule Means for You, Your Retirement Investments
Introducing the fiduciary rule.

How a Better FICO Score Leads to Better Retirement
What you save in interest could improve your retirement.

5 ways to avoid retirement rip-offs
Choose wisely.

How criminals could steal your tax return
Criminals are going tax phishing.

‘Alternative’ Credit: Your Scores Still Matter

By

Startup and traditional lenders alike are looking for the new prize: creditworthy people who don’t have good credit scores.

To find them, companies are experimenting with all kinds of alternative data that’s typically not part of credit reports, such as utility bills, social media posts and how often you change your address.

In addition, some online lenders proclaim they don’t use credit scores in their decisions or don’t have a minimum score requirement.

In my latest for NerdWallet, why thinking credit scores no longer matter could be an expensive mistake.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

By

FICO-score-calculation-300x281Today’s top story: How to tank your good credit. Also in the news: What to buy (and skip) this month, why US schools are getting a failing grade for financial literacy, and the top tax mistakes made by Millennials.

5 Fast Ways to Tank Your Good Credit Score
Avoid these at all costs.

What to Buy (and Skip) in February
Time to pull the trigger on that new TV you’ve been eyeing.

US schools get failing grade for financial literacy education
What are your kids learning?

5 Tax Mistakes Made by Millennials
How to avoid them.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

halloween-moneyToday’s top story: Understanding your free credit scores. Also in the news: What spooks us most about money, overcoming our 401(k) fears, and why it’s more about what you keep, instead of what you make.

How to Make Sense of Your Free Credit Scores
Deciphering the information.

What Spooks Us Most About Money
Getting over the goosebumps.

5 Ways to Overcome Your Fear of a 401(k)
No need to fear the future.

It’s Not What You Make, It’s What You Keep
The total return on investments.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

check-credit-report-easilyToday’s top story: The email mistake that can hurt your credit. Also in the news: Tools to eliminate student debt, tax identity theft, and scams that target investors.

The Email Mistake That Can Hurt Your Credit
Unsubscribe is your friend.

2 Tools to Eliminate Student Loan Debt
Income-based repayment plans could reduce your monthly payments.

ID Tax Theft: What You Can Do To Limit The Damage
How to fight back.

5 Scary Schemes and Scams That Target Investors
Staying a step ahead of the scammers.

If You Have Poor Credit, Beware Extra Charges on Your Monthly Bills
You could be subject to risk-based pricing.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

images (1)Today’s top story: TransUnion is about to change the game for those without credit scores. Also in the news: Why managing your money seems terrifying, 12 things you should never do with your money, and money moves to make before the end of the year.

60 Million People Who Don’t Have a Credit Score Could Be in Luck
TransUnion is about to change the credit score game.

8 Reasons Managing Money Seems Terrifying
How to overcome your fears.

12 things you should never do with your money
Never ever.

Make these 10 money moves before 2015 is over
Time to get your year-end finances in order.