The Facts Behind your Credit Score

The Facts Behind your Credit Score

Credit, Miscellaneous, Money in Your 20s/30s/40s/50s/Retirement
By Julie Macc, Certified Credit and Identity Theft SpecialistWhat is Fico?FICO is an acronym for the Fair Isaac Corporation the creators of the FICO score.The FICO scoring system is used in the United States for extending or offering credit, employment credit checks, landlords, and in States that legally allow it, insurance rates.How is a score made? The FICO score is computer generated using mathematical models. The score takes into account various factors in five different areas to determine credit risk: payment history, current level of indebtness, types of credit used, lenght of credit history, and new credit.People that have a FICO score will range between 300-850.Not everyone has a Credit Score. In order to have a credit score, your credit file has to meet certain minimum standards. Failure to meet…
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Simple Ways to Establish Good Credit

Simple Ways to Establish Good Credit

Credit, Miscellaneous, Money in Your 20s/30s/40s/50s/Retirement
So, you are interested in building your credit history, but not sure where to start. Here are a few simple ways to begin building your credit. Always make sure that any credit you decide to use fits within your budget, especially if you choose to take out a loan.1. Start with a Credit Card The first option to build your credit is to apply for a credit card. There are some things to keep in mind if you choose this route. Credit cards can quickly become dangerous to your financial health if you spend more than you can afford to repay every month and become trapped by the interest rates attached to your card.To avoid this, limit your credit card spending to purchases you already make. A common strategy is…
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Credit 101

Credit 101

Credit, Miscellaneous
Credit often feels like a mysterious and treacherous aspect of personal finance when you are young and/or just beginning your money management journey. Despite its reputation, credit is a tool that with responsible use will improve your financial standing. Before you embark on the journey of seeking credit, it is important to know how credit and credit scores work so you don’t accidentally end up in hot financial water.So what is credit? Credit is money you borrow to use for goods and service and that you will repay at an agreed-upon time with any applicable fees and charges (usually interest). There are four types of credit.RevolvingChargeServiceInstallment.Revolving credit is typically associated with credit cards. When you use this type of credit, the lending institution approves you for a maximum amount of…
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