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UltraFICO

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The lowdown on the new tools to jump-start your credit. Also in the news: How to pass a smog test – and what to do if your car fails, how insurance quotes affect your credit score, and what happens if you hit the Roth IRA income cap.

The Lowdown on New Tools to Jump-Start Your Credit
How Boost and UltraFICO work.

How to Pass a Smog Test — And What to Do If Your Car Fails
One man’s hard-earned advice.

Does Getting Insurance Quotes Affect Your Credit Score?
The bigger problem is the reverse.

What Happens If You Hit the Roth IRA Income Cap?
Know your contribution limits.

Is better credit worth exposing your bank data?

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America’s credit bureaus haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory when it comes to protecting your private data. So you might well be skeptical about two new credit-enhancing products that require not just credit information but also access to your bank accounts.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why the boost in your score might not be worth the exposure of your banking data.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: New scoring could help credit-shy millennials. Also in the news: Giving yourself the gift of a $0 credit card balance, 5 key steps to joining the 401(k) Millionaires Club, and why you should only share your credit card info at a hotel at the front desk.

New Scoring Could Help Credit-Shy Millennials
Introducing UltraFICO.

Give Yourself the Gift of a $0 Credit Card Balance
A gift with long lasting impact.

5 Key Steps to Join the 401(k) Millionaires Club
Starting early is crucial.

Only Share Your Credit Card Info at a Hotel at the Front Desk
Protecting your info during your stay.

New scoring could help credit-shy millennials

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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.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Should you pay off your mortgage before you retire? Also in the news: New UltraFICO score could boost credit access for consumers, a cheapskate’s guide to shopping for credit cards, and 7 year-end tax planning strategies for small business owners.

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before You Retire?
Or is it better to wait?

New UltraFICO Score Could Boost Credit Access for Consumers
Big changes are coming.

A Cheapskate’s Guide to Shopping for Credit Cards
Finding a card to match your careful spending.

7 year-end tax planning strategies for small business owners
Tax season is right around the corner.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How today’s low taxes can nurture your nest egg. Also in the news: 4 questions to ask before you DIY, how a single mom masterminded a $700K swing from debt to savings, and how the new UltraFICO credit score will work.

How Today’s Low Taxes Can Nurture Your Nest Egg
New tax laws present a golden opportunity.

4 Questions to Ask Before You DIY
Doing it yourself could end up costing more.

Single Mom Masterminds $700K Swing From Debt to Savings
Learn how she did it.

Here’s How the New UltraFICO Credit Score Will Work
FICO scores are in for a big change.