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Credit Scores

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 ways to prepare and pack for COVID-Era travel. Also in the news: 8 safety tips for solo female travel, how doing a subscription detox could plug monthly budget leaks, and how to take advantage of (and keep) a high credit score.

5 Ways to Prepare and Pack for COVID-Era Travel
A lot has changed in the travel world since the pre-pandemic days of 2019.

8 Safety Tips for Solo Female Travel
Traveling solo as a woman has its challenges, but these tips can help you avoid unwanted situations.

Doing a Subscription Detox Could Plug Monthly Budget Leaks
Take a look at auto-renewing subscriptions — should you go cold turkey or use a more targeted approach?

How to Take Advantage of (and Keep) a High Credit Score
Reaping the rewards.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: When it’s OK to let your good credit score drop. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on crypto credit cards and short-term investing, why balance transfer cards are starting to make a comeback, and how a 24-year-old crushed $20K+ in credit card debt.

When It’s OK to Let Your Good Credit Score Drop
Don’t let possible score damage stop you from putting your credit to use in an emergency or to grab an opportunity.

Smart Money Podcast: Crypto Credit Cards and Short-Term Investing
A look at the best funds for short-term investing.

Why Balance Transfer Credit Cards Are Starting to Blossom Again
As the economy recovers from the effects of COVID-19, credit card issuers are bringing back these offers. Here’s where to find them.

She Crushed $20K+ in Credit Card Debt at Age 24
Annika Hudak’s road map included reviewing expenses, using balance transfers and tracking her progress.

Q&A: Boosting Credit Scores

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Dear Liz: I’m frustrated with my FICO scores. At one point they were well into the 800s and now they languish in the 720 to 730 range. I have no debt — no mortgage or car loan — and fully pay off two credit cards monthly. I have millions (fact, not bragging) in assets with no liabilities. I don’t anticipate taking any loans but it is so odd to me. Why is this?

Answer: You likely had at least one installment loan, such as a mortgage or car loan, when your scores were near the top of FICO’s typical 300-to-850 scale. You can still have good scores without an installment loan — and you do — but the highest scores require you to have a mix of credit types.

You might be able to add a few points to your scores by paying attention to your credit utilization — the less of your credit limit you use, the better. Adding another card or two may ding your scores in the short run but also could add points long term.

Or you can just be happy as you are. As long as you continue to use your cards responsibly, you’ll continue to have scores that are “pretty enough for all normal purposes” — in other words, that will get you good rates and terms should you decide to apply for additional credit.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What to do if a fair credit score cuts your credit card options. Also in the news: Should you use points and miles to book 2021 travel, should you purchase travel insurance for your summer vacation, and how often you should be checking your credit report.

What to Do If a Fair Credit Score Cuts Your Credit Card Options
If you have only average credit, appealing credit cards aren’t as easy to come by. But you do have some choices.

Ask a Travel Nerd: Should I Use Points and Miles to Book 2021 Travel?
If you’ve been sitting on a pile of travel points, now might be a good time to start planning how to use them.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for My Summer Vacation?
If you’re making nonrefundable bookings, you might want to consider a travel insurance plan.

How Often Should You Be Checking Your Credit Report?
More often than you’d think.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The tax credit fix many can’t afford to miss. Also in the news: Being the first in the family to invest, how to right your retirement savings after coronavirus setbacks, and why your credit karma score seems to high.

The Tax Credit Fix Many Can’t Afford to Miss
Working families could miss out on the refundable tax credits they need to make ends meet.

First in the Family to Invest: How I Saved Almost $700K
Frugality and a commitment to invest at least 20% of his earnings have paid off for this Missouri man.

How to Right Your Retirement Savings After Coronavirus Setbacks
For investors whose retirement savings have been disrupted by the pandemic, there’s a path to replenishment in 2021 and beyond.

Why Your Credit Karma Score Seems Too High
Not all scores are the same.

Q&A: When credit scores take a pandemic dive, how to figure out what caused it

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Dear Liz: My VantageScores as reported by TransUnion were in the 780 to 790 range until around February, when they all dropped 40 points for no discernible reason. My FICO 8 and 9 credit scores remained unchanged around 760 and still continue to increase. What would cause that?

Answer: VantageScores tend to react more than FICO scores when you apply for new credit, but 40 points is a pretty big drop. The other usual culprit when good scores fall is higher credit utilization, or using more of your available credit, but typically your FICO scores would have dropped as well.

Most credit monitoring services will offer you some kind of explanation for why your scores changed, so that would be the first place to look for clues. You also should check your credit reports, which are now available weekly from AnnualCreditReport.com.