‘Alternative’ Credit: Your Scores Still Matter

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

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

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

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

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.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

scamToday’s top story: How you may be exposing yourself to fraud. Also in the news: Why responsible people can have bad credit scores, tricks advertisers use to make you spend money, and the money nightmares keeping us awake at night.

16 Ways You May Be Exposing Yourself to Fraud
Stop being your own worst enemy.

3 Reasons Responsible People Have Bad Credit Scores
It takes more than just responsibility.

7 Tricks Advertisers Use to Make You Spend Money
Resist!

These Money Scares Are Keeping Americans Up at Night
Are any of these yours?

30% of people would sell an organ to erase student debt: Survey
Are you one of them?

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: There’s a new proposal in Congress to raise Social Security benefits. Also in the news: Money moves to make before the end of the year, why Millennial credit scores are on the low side, and the complete guide to refinancing your student loans.

Congress Considers New Proposal To Raise Social Security Benefits
What could this mean for you?

20 Money Moves to Make Before the End of the Year
How to meet all of your financial obligations.

What’s Wrong With Millennial Credit Scores?
Why are they on the low side?

The complete guide to refinancing your student loans.
Get ready to crunch the numbers.

Is It Actually More Difficult to Get a Mortgage This Year?
What has and hasn’t changed since last year.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

2Today’s top story: Knowing when it’s time to talk to a financial advisor. Also in the news: Money tips for college students, why you might need life insurance if you’re getting divorced, and five reasons why you have a bad credit score.

7 Times You Need to Talk to a Financial Advisor
Going it alone isn’t always a good idea.

Back-to-School Money Tips for College Students
How to avoid going broke in the first month.

Getting Divorced? You Might Want — or Need — Life Insurance
Covering your financial obligations.

5 Reasons You Have a Bad Credit Score
Time for credit check.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: The most common reasons people visit financial planners. Also in the news: Money lessons to learn by age 50, when you should use a credit card, and how to get your credit score above 800.

4 Common Reasons People Go to Financial Planners
Help with life’s major events.

3 Essential Money Lessons You Need to Know by Age 50
Never stop learning.

When to use a credit card and when to leave it in your wallet
The pros and cons of paying with credit.

5 Ways to Get Your Credit Score Above 800
Reaching the magic number.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: What life is like when you default on your student loans. Also in the news: How to get the most from selling your old cell phone, five financial questions everyone needs to know the answers to, and how having no credit score can make life difficult.

3 Grads Reveal What It’s Really Like To Default On Student Loans
It’s not a pretty picture.

Selling Your Old Cellphone? Read This First
How to get the most out of your phone.

Here’s a Financial Literacy Test You Need to Pass
Can you answer these five questions?

5 Ways Having No Credit Score Can Hurt You
Not having a credit score can hurt as much as having a bad one.