If you’ve ever pulled your credit report and scrolled through the countless codes and abbreviations, you know it can feel like reading a foreign language. Among the “Pays as Agreed” and the dreaded “30 Days Late,” you might stumble upon a more mysterious entry: ND, which stands for “No Data.” Your heart might skip a beat.…
Many of us come into extra money from time to time. Whether you come into a significant windfall or build a new income stream outside of your day job, extra income can propel your financial situation forward, if used correctly. When extra money comes into your life, taking the right steps can make a big…
The “opt-out” myth is one of many myths that lead consumers astray when it comes to credit. What is the opt-out myth and why does it not work? Credit expert John Ulzheimer provided some valuable insight into this topic in a Credit Countdown video. In this article, we summarize everything you need to know about…
We’ve written before about the problem of credit invisibility, which is when a consumer does not have a credit score. Millions of consumers are credit invisible in the United States. In a society where credit is interwoven with so many aspects of our lives, this represents a serious obstacle in the path to financial success.…
Pet ownership can add a lot of joy to your life. While bringing a pet into your home can be a fun adventure, the cost of owning a pet can add up quickly. If you don’t take action to protect your finances from the costs of pet ownership, taking care of your furry companion could…
The holiday season can be filled with fun times—but you might end up overspending during the most wonderful time of the year. After the busyness of the holidays settles down, you might be left with a hefty load of holiday debt. If you took on holiday debt, getting out of it is likely a top…
Credit cards are often vilified for their high interest rates, which can be very costly to consumers who carry a balance from month to month rather than paying off the full balance that was accrued. Credit expert John Ulzheimer believes that credit cards do not deserve the bad reputation they have earned. In a Credit…
When you are paying for purchases, is it better to use a debit card or a credit card? The answer depends on which features and advantages are important to you. In a Credit Countdown video, credit expert John Ulzheimer compares the pros and cons of credit cards and debit cards in regards to several different…
If you are a regular online shopper, the rise of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options likely hasn’t escaped your notice. When you reach the checkout of most major online retailers, you’ll have the opportunity to spread out your payment through a BNPL service. The service can be convenient for those on a tight budget.…
This article was contributed by credit expert John Ulzheimer. One of the more common questions I receive from consumers is how they can best establish credit or improve their credit scores. It’s a hard question to answer without seeing their credit reports. There are many paths to poor credit scores so the advice isn’t as…