VantageScore recently released a reimagined version of its credit-scoring model. Dubbed VantageScore 3.0, the model considered 900 data points and tested 50 different algorithms before deciding on the 3.0 model. The result, according to the company, is a 25 percent predictive lift over previous models. Among the biggest changes, the scoring range now lines up [...]

A good credit score is one of the most valuable assets you can keep in your financial portfolio. Yes, a world with no credit would mean no high interest credit cards; overdue mortgage payments or over-limit fees but credit plays a very important role in fiscal responsibility; and knowing your credit score is a must. [...]

Let’s get the bad news out of the way: no person, action, service, or product can prevent identity theft. The fact of the matter is that identity thieves can and will find victims. According to John Ulzheimer, President of Consumer Education at SmartCredit.com, protecting yourself from identity theft is like trying to outrun a mountain [...]

Let’s talk credit scores. Today I thought I’d suggest some ways to improve your credit score. Let’s start by looking at why your credit matters and why you’d want to improve your credit score. Your credit score is an important part of your financial portfolio. We typically spend a great deal more time thinking about [...]

My credit score has been a work and progress for the better part of my adult life.  Ever since I decided to take out more than $150,000 in student loans, I’ve been fighting with the three digit dragon.  From the pits of a 414 credit score, I now sit somewhere in the 650 – 670 [...]

Most people I know are debt free except the mortgage, or they want to get there very fast. The question then arises, will you be able to maintain a good credit score if all you are doing is paying on a mortgage? If you are in this situation, the term that you need to familiarize [...]

Credit Sesame, a company that I use at least a few times each month to check my credit score, has just launched an app for all Android users. The mobile app is a replica of the previous released iPhone app so even though there’s nothing new, I thought it prudent to bring to your attention [...]

When you start looking at credit report error statistics it’s easy to quickly get frustrated. There’s a ton that could and that does go wrong with the reporting of your credit information. Did you know that studies have shown that as much as 79% of credit reports contain errors of some kind? With 25% containing [...]

Did you catch the recent story about employer credit checks in USA Today? It was about the fairness of employers using credit as a means to differentiate candidates. Side note. My high school math teacher used to tell me all the time that life was not fair. I would always reply, “well, it should be.” [...]

If you are on our my email list you saw that I mentioned Credit Karma‘s new credit monitoring feature.  I thought I would take a moment  to show you how to use Credit Karma’s older, more notable features: Score Center and Credit Report Card. Here’s my quick review of each. Credit Karma’s Free Score Center [...]

The following is a guest post from Martin of Studenomics. Martin has just released a super-helpful guide that shows you how to completely conquer credit before you hit 30. You can’t leave a lasting legacy if you’re stuck spending today’s income on yesterday’s fun. You also can’t get that dream home without any credit. You [...]

Ah, marriage. It’s always “happily ever after,” isn’t it? Not always, at least when it comes to talking about finances. In a recent American Express poll, 61 percent of couples said that talks of household finances lead to arguments, as reported by CNN Money. That’s up from 45% just last year. It’s no big surprise [...]