Category: Personal Credit

How to Get a Tax Filing Extension

April 6, 2017 Kali Geldis

Advertiser Disclosure You already got an extra three days this year to file your taxes — the final deadline is April 18 instead of the traditional April 15 due to the celebration of Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C. But if that wasn't enough time, you can still file for an extension on your 2016 tax return. The good news for those needing an extension is that you don't have to pay a tax pro or tax prep service to get… Read More

A New Freebie for Military Members: Credit Freezes

April 3, 2017 Kali Geldis

Active-duty military members are given a number of financial protections that average consumers aren't privy to, and this week the major credit reporting agencies added one more perk to that list — free credit freezes. The move was announced Wednesday in a release from the Consumer Data Industry Association, a trade group that represents the major credit reporting agencies. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion are all participating in offering free credit freezes for active-duty military, which will roll out in the first… Read More

Here’s Why a Late Payment Totally Wrecks Your Credit Score

March 20, 2017 Kali Geldis

As more and more Americans have become credit-aware in the past few years, late payments have become the stuff of nightmares, and justifiably so. If you're one of the millions of Americans who have worked long and hard to improve your credit scores since the recession, making one late payment and seeing your scores dip 30, 40, perhaps even 50 points can be soul-crushing. Here's why late payments do so much damage and what you can do to prevent them,… Read More

How Do I Get a Business Loan to Start My Business?

March 6, 2017 Lydia Roth

For many budding entrepreneurs, a small business loan may seem like the best option for getting your endeavor off the ground. However, most banks and lenders require criteria that a newly launched business won't be able to meet. What are those requirements, and what are your alternatives if you can't meet them? Here's what you need to know. Requirements for Traditional Business Loans When you apply for a traditional business loan, a lender will look at your personal and business'… Read More

You May Be Able to Get Collection Accounts Off Your Credit Report Sooner Than You Think

February 6, 2017 Gerri Detweiler

While shopping for a home to buy, Ryan discovered through his credit monitoring service that a collection account had hit his credit reports. His credit score dropped, and he was worried it could jeopardize this ability to get a mortgage. “I had no idea what it was,” he says. He wanted it off his credit. After doing some research online, Ryan (he asked his last name not be used) connected with Michael Bovee of Consumer Recovery Network who helped him… Read More

How to Start a Business With a 600 Credit Score (or Less)

January 25, 2017 Lydia Roth

Those involved in real estate "fix and flip" deals will routinely inform associates, partners, and other members of their network that you must "guard your credit score, just as you would guard your life." They say that your ability to obtain credit is essential to wealth building aspects. While I'm not involved in any real estate "fix and flip" deals, I certainly agree that as any type of entrepreneur, you should "guard your credit score just as you would guard… Read More