What’s your preferred method for getting your FICO score? Hi everyone,
I know about the free gov’t programs to get your credit report, but I’m also interested in getting my FICO score. I believe one needs to pay a fee to get their FICO score. Google yields lots of sites that offer FICO scores, but I’m […]
I’m looking for a credit monitoring service where I can track multiple individuals’ credit scores. I’ve used MyFico in the past to get my credit score and track it. I’d like to also get/track the credit scores of my wife, children, and parents. I inquired at MyFico and it seems I’d need to […]
Bank Fraud Filter: A friend has just asked me to add him to my credit card as an ‘authorized user’ as a way to boost his credit. After doing a little research, I see that ‘credit card piggybacking’ is a well-known credit-repair tactic. Should I help? First off, let me say that […]
I applied for a mortgage. What have I done? (And what should I do?) I’m fresh (well, since May) out of college, and have been looking for a place to live. Against my better judgment, I let my mom coax me into using my bank’s “instant pre-approval” mortgage application to see if I could get […]
Should I dispute the adverse item on my credit report or just pay it off? Also, will a balance transfer help or hurt me? Last July I moved and closed my account with my old cable company. I returned the equipment and paid the balance. I got a notice saying I owed them $69 but […]
How can I refinance my car with my terrible credit? I have awful credit, I just had a credit card cancelled a few months ago, and even a credit union (and their downstream alternative) wouldn’t extend to me. I haven’t checked lately, but I imagine my FICO is in the 500s, if not lower. This […]
Help me understand my credit, please? Still working on fixing my credit so I can buy a house, but I’m confused about some things on my report. I’ve managed to get my score up 60 points in just a month or so, but I really need at least another hundred to be really happy.
Back story: […]
I am in my 20’s, have no debt and have no need for a loan; should I get one anyways to help my credit? I have a high credit score, and I pay off my credit cards monthly; but I have never taken out a loan, not even student loans… I worry this will hurt […]
Why did my credit score go down? A few months ago, i signed up for a credit card through my bank that lets you access your FICO credit score online. I signed up for the credit card in hopes of building up my credit score which was, when i started a not-so-great 644. […]
How many credit cards should I have and what should my limits be for the best possible credit score? I currently have three credit cards. I use one or two of them for routine purchases throughout the month, but I pay them off when the bill arrives and do not carry a balance. […]
I’ve been doing some general simplification of my finances, and realized that its more worthwhile for me to use a credit card which gives me cash back to purchase gas (and other daily expenses). The thing is, I’ve had a brand-specific gas card for six years now, just to charge monthly gas fill-ups and […]
Options for (re)building my credit…how best to re-build my credit history with an eye towards home ownership… After a period of credit irresponsibility in my youth, I am trying to rebuild my credit. I have a time table of a few years to accomplish this.
I have the opportunity to take out a small loan (under […]
Is there any credible possibility that credit card purchases of unsavory items (beer, cigarettes… well I don’t smoke but you get the idea) might make their way indirectly onto a FICO score or be found out by lenders? Standing at the liquor store with a six of Boddingtons I can’t help wondering if I […]
Credit Reports. I’ve just received mine from the big three via MyFICO.com. I’ve got above average scores (750+), but I see a bunch of old credit cards that may or may not affect my score. You see, I’m getting my finances in order to go home loan shopping for the first time. What’s steps should […]
My wife (who only works part-time) and I will be applying for a joint mortgage soon. My FICO score is 800; hers is 670. How will a lender determine our interest rate when we have such different scores?
Original text: How is an interest rate determined on a joint mortgage?
What’s a “good” FICO score? My wife and I had a chapter 7 bankruptcy discharged in 1997. Since then, I’ve been meticulous about paying debt. I’ve paid off two car loans (that were in existence at the time of the bankruptcy and re-affirmed), and I pay my mortgage on time every month (also pre-dates the […]
Short-term loan offerings: Which product keeps the FICO “ding” to an absolute minimum?
In the next few months, I’m planning to borrow a few grand for some house fixups and a few other things. Strictly short term, with an expected payoff in six months. I’ve got no credit card debt, a FICO in the low 700s, […]