Credit

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

January 30, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: This winter, your credit should freeze, too. Also in the news: 5 keys to picture-perfect TV buying, when to hire someone to do your taxes, and 5 things consumers should watch out for now that the Fed hasn’t raised rates.

This Winter, Your Credit Should Freeze, Too
Protecting your personal info.

5 Keys to Picture-Perfect TV Buying
Just in time for the Big Game.

When to Hire Someone to Do Your Taxes
When Turbo Tax isn’t enough.

5 things consumers should watch for now that the Fed has NOT raised rates
Bad news for savers.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

January 25, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: This winter, your credit should freeze, too. Also in the news: Nerd100 – Celebrating the best-of-the-best personal finance products, the best student loan refinance companies, and finding hospital price lists.

This Winter, Your Credit Should Freeze, Too
Surviving the credit breaches.

Nerd100: Celebrating the Best-of-the-Best Personal Finance Products
See who made the list.

Best Student Loan Refinance Companies
The results are in.

Hospitals must list prices online — now all you have to do is find them
They don’t make it easy.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

December 10, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to manage student loan debt without making it worse. Also in the news: How to get credit when you have none, why it may be time to stop itemizing your tax deductions, and the state most burdened by credit card debt.

How to Manage Student Loan Debt Without Making It Worse
Don’t let interest get out of hand.

How to Get Credit When You Have None
Starting from scratch.

It May Be Time to Stop Itemizing Your Tax Deductions
The standard deduction could be enough.

This state is the most burdened by credit-card debt
Is it yours?

New scoring could help credit-shy millennials

December 4, 2018 By Liz Weston

Millennials’ aversion to credit cards can make it hard for them to build good credit scores. A recently announced scoring system, the UltraFICO, may someday help them and other consumers get loans and credit based on how they use their bank accounts.

People who don’t overdraw and who keep a few hundred dollars in their accounts could get enough points added to their traditional FICO credit scores to qualify for approvals or better rates and terms. Others who don’t have FICO scores at all could get UltraFICO scores that allow them to get approved for credit.

In my latest for the Associated Press, learn more about UltraFICO.

At What Age Can You Ignore Your Credit Score?

November 6, 2018 By Liz Weston

At some point, you’ll buy your last car and refinance your last mortgage. Surely then you can stop worrying about your credit scores.

Well, not really, although there are situations when credit scores shouldn’t be anyone’s main concern.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why credit scores still matter, even when you don’t plan to borrow money.

Why traditional credit scores still matter

July 17, 2018 By Liz Weston

Researchers and startups say all kinds of weird data can predict your creditworthiness. What kind of smartphone you have, who your friends are and how you answer survey questions may foretell how likely you are to pay back a loan.

Don’t expect this alternative data to displace the three-digit number most lenders use, however. Credit scores still matter — a lot.

Lenders use credit scores to decide whether you get loans and credit cards, plus the rates you pay. Scores are also used to determine which apartments you can rent, which cell phone plans you can get and, in most states, how much you pay for auto and homeowners insurance.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why traditional, three-digit credit scores still matter.