Credit & Debt Edition

Credit & Debt

Plain-language guidance on managing credit scores and paying down debt.

16 stories

Latest in Credit & Debt

Credit & Debt Avalanche vs. Snowball: Two Debt Payoff Methods Compared

Avalanche vs. Snowball: Two Debt Payoff Methods Compared

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 6 min · Oct 13, 2023
Credit & Debt Before You Apply for New Credit: A Pre-Application Checklist

Before You Apply for New Credit: A Pre-Application Checklist

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 6 min · Aug 12, 2025
Credit & Debt Building Credit from Scratch: A Practical Starting Point

Building Credit from Scratch: A Practical Starting Point

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 8 min · May 25, 2023
Credit & Debt Credit Score Ranges: What the Numbers Really Mean

Credit Score Ranges: What the Numbers Really Mean

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 5 min · Jan 11, 2023
Credit & Debt Debt Consolidation: What It Actually Does to Your Finances

Debt Consolidation: What It Actually Does to Your Finances

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 6 min · Sep 9, 2025
Credit & Debt Disputing an Error on Your Credit Report

Disputing an Error on Your Credit Report

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 6 min · Jan 21, 2025
Credit & Debt How Credit Utilization Works — and the Ratio Most People Miss

How Credit Utilization Works — and the Ratio Most People Miss

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 6 min · Sep 10, 2023
Credit & Debt Keeping Debt Manageable on a Variable Income

Keeping Debt Manageable on a Variable Income

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 6 min · Jul 20, 2025
Credit & Debt Reading a Credit Report for the First Time

Reading a Credit Report for the First Time

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 6 min · Oct 30, 2023
Credit & Debt Secured vs. Unsecured Credit Cards: Which Belongs in Your Wallet?

Secured vs. Unsecured Credit Cards: Which Belongs in Your Wallet?

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 5 min · Aug 26, 2023
Credit & Debt Signs You're Relying on Credit in Ways That Could Backfire

Signs You're Relying on Credit in Ways That Could Backfire

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 6 min · Jan 18, 2024
Credit & Debt The Credit Score Myths That Keep Americans Confused

The Credit Score Myths That Keep Americans Confused

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 6 min · Apr 29, 2024
Credit & Debt The Full Picture on Credit Scores: FICO, VantageScore, and How Lenders Decide

The Full Picture on Credit Scores: FICO, VantageScore, and How Lenders Decide

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 7 min · Feb 26, 2025
Credit & Debt What Your Credit Report Actually Contains — and Why It Matters

What Your Credit Report Actually Contains — and Why It Matters

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 8 min · Dec 8, 2024
Credit & Debt Why Closing a Credit Card Can Hurt Your Score

Why Closing a Credit Card Can Hurt Your Score

By Personal Finance Editorial Team · 6 min · Oct 10, 2025