Establishing credit from scratch can feel like an uphill battle when you're a young adult on a tight budget. But having a solid credit history is important when it comes to making a major purchase, such as a car or even securing an apartment. The good news is there are low-cost strategies to help you establish credit without breaking the bank. Key Takeaways Low-cost strategies for establishing credit with little to no credit history include:...
Credit Monitoring & Fraud Protection
With MyScoreIQ, you get more than just your FICO® Scores. We give you peace of mind with industry-leading credit monitoring, financial fraud protection, identity theft insurance underwritten by AIG, and tools to help you build your credit.
How to Help Improve Your Credit in 2024
Was your New Year’s resolution to improve your credit? Maybe you crave a tropical vacation, want a new car, dream of owning your own home, or simply want the peace that comes with healthy finances. A strong credit score is the key that helps unlock many of these opportunities. If you are looking to broaden your financial horizons, this can be the year you take your credit to the next level. Here's how to help improve your credit in 2024. 3 Ways...
How Does Taking Out a Mortgage Affect Your Credit Scores?
For many people, securing a mortgage marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. However, considering the scale of such a large purchase, it's only natural to wonder about its potential impact on your credit scores. In this blog, we explain how taking out a mortgage can affect your credit scores. We also introduce you to a powerful tool – the FICO® Score Simulator offered by MyScoreIQ – that can help you plan for significant financial...
What are the Benefits of Financial Coaching?
Have you ever found yourself spending more time on Amazon than you’d like to admit? Taking a daily coffee run to Starbucks when you have coffee at home? Wondering why you aren’t able to save as much money as you’d like to? If you can relate, you might benefit from financial coaching. In this blog, we break down the benefits of financial coaching, so you can better understand if it’s the right solution for you. What is a Financial Coach?...
How Do You Build Credit in the Military?
May is Military Appreciation Month, a time to honor the contributions of our military members. Managing finances and building their credit can be challenging for those serving in the military, especially when they are deployed and gave to spend a significant amount of time away from home. Here are tips on how to help improve your credit during your military service so that you can establish a solid financial foundation for the future. 1. Build...
Financial Literacy Month: Tips to Build Credit Fast and Effectively
April is Financial Literacy Month. It’s a great time to work on your financial health and improve your credit score. Here is more information on Financial Literacy Month along with some simple steps to take to raise your credit scores. What is Financial Literacy Month? Financial Literacy Month is a yearly event held in April that promotes the importance of financial education. The awareness month aims to teach people how to manage their money...
What Does a Tri-Merge Credit Report Mean?
Your credit report is a record of your credit history. It includes your credit accounts, such as mortgages, auto loans and credit cards. Your credit report also provides information about your payment history, work history, addresses and the number of credit inquiries and by whom. The credit reporting bureaus are organizations that keep track of your credit history. There are three major credit bureaus in the United States: Equifax®, Experian®,...
How Do I Know My Billing Cycle?
Do you know what your billing cycle is? Here’s how you can find out when your billing cycle starts and ends and how it impacts credit scores.
How Do You Negotiate with a Debt Collector?
When you become delinquent on a debt to a business or creditor, the debt may be sold to a third-party debt collector. The debt collector can contact you to settle the debt and can even file a lawsuit against you if you won’t pay. If you don’t think the debt is legitimate, you may be able to dispute the debt and get it dismissed entirely. But, if the debt is legitimate, it’s generally a good idea to settle it so that it shows up as paid on your...
How Does Your Income Impact Your Credit Score?
Can your income affect your credit score? Here’s what you need to know and ways to help your credit scores on a low income.