Understanding Credit

Recent Articles

• Credit bureaus and trigger leads Borrowers who inquire about a loan may be inundated with unsolicited loan offers due to bureaus selling trigger leads.
• How to avoid credit disasters We've all heard horror stories of credit card fraud and runaway debt. Here are some tips on how to avoid disasters.
• Good debt: What do lenders look for? Taking out loans and repaying your debts can appeal to potential creditors.
• Credit bureau information Q: What gives credit-reporting agencies the right to private information?
• What is an insurance score? Your insurance score is based on your credit score and can be used to calculate your insurance premiums.
• What is your credit IQ? Credit can be tricky to understand. Test your knowledge of credit reports and scores to see how much you know.
• What are the three major credit bureaus? Q: What are the three major credit bureaus and what do they do?
• Checklist: Steps to take before filing bankruptcy The steps on this checklist will help you avoid filing bankruptcy.
• Co-signing a loan Be sure you know what's involved in co-signing a loan before signing on the dotted line.
• New bankruptcy laws The new bankruptcy law makes it more important than ever to manage your debt wisely.
• Understanding credit and debt Learning the necessary skills to manage your debt and credit is a first step on the path to financial freedom.
• How bad credit affects you A bad credit score can have a negative effect on many aspects of your financial life.
• Credit and divorce If you are getting a divorce, consider how your former spouse's behavior could affect your credit history.
• Credit inquiry FAQ Multiple credit inquiries or "pulls" can affect your credit score. Read on for answers to frequently asked questions about credit inquiries and working with LendingTree.
• Should you co-sign a loan? Before co-signing a loan, make sure you understand the risks involved and how to protect yourself.
• Credit and borrowing Credit cards and loans can affect your buying power, so shop around for the best rates and educate yourself on credit and borrowing terminology.
• How interest rates affect credit Consider interest rate trends in your credit decisions when financing or refinancing a home, car, or credit card balance.
• Are you credit-challenged? Our self-identification test can help you determine whether you have credit problems, and how severe they are.

View More Articles