Credit & Debt

Beware of These “Chip” Credit Cards

Beware of These “Chip” Credit Cards

Odysseas Papadimitriou | March 25, 2015

Despite a run of credit card data breaches, major card issuers are choosing not to offer the most secure version…

The Best Credit Cards for 2015

The Best Credit Cards for 2015

Odysseas Papadimitriou | January 27, 2015

Top Choices for Cash Back…Travel Rewards…More Choosing the best credit card can be tricky. It depends on which features and…

The Store Credit Cards Worth Having

The Store Credit Cards Worth Having

Curtis Arnold | October 28, 2014

Perks Include 15% Off...0% Financing...Free Shipping...More Store cards—those merchant-branded credit cards offered by many large retailers—can provide some very appealing…

The New FICO Rules Are Tricky

The New FICO Rules Are Tricky

October 8, 2014

It soon may be easier and less expensive to obtain credit, thanks to updates to the FICO scoring system, which…

Home Equity Lines of Credit: The New Rules
Credit & Debt

Home Equity Lines of Credit: The New Rules

Keith ­Gumbinger | August 21, 2014

Home-equity lines of credit, which became scarce as banks pulled back and consumers grew wary during the housing market bust,…

Secret Consumer Scores

Secret Consumer Scores

Pam Dixon | July 22, 2014

They're not credit scores, but they can cost you big They know what you buy. They know what you eat.…

All Those Credit Card Offers Are Tempting…But What Happens to Your Credit Score If You Say “Yes”?

All Those Credit Card Offers Are Tempting…But What Happens to Your Credit Score If You Say “Yes”?

June 25, 2014

You may be tempted by dazzling offers to add another credit card to your wallet…and another…and another. But can adding…

How to Get an Absolutely, Totally Free Credit Score

How to Get an Absolutely, Totally Free Credit Score

June 2, 2014

(And avoid the phony ones) We no longer have to pay to learn the credit scores that play a big…

Surprising Ways You Can Hurt Your Credit Score

Surprising Ways You Can Hurt Your Credit Score

May 29, 2014

... even if you pay your bills in full each month Many would-be borrowers are discovering that their good credit…

How to Fix a Credit Report Error

How to Fix a Credit Report Error

May 29, 2014

Insider secrets that will raise your credit score The credit reports of more than one out of every five Americans…

Best Credit Cards for 2014

Best Credit Cards for 2014

Odysseas Papadimitriou | February 4, 2014

6% Back on Groceries, 5% on Gas and More Choosing the best credit cards for your needs depends on the…

Stay-At-Home Spouses Can Obtain Credit Cards Again

Stay-At-Home Spouses Can Obtain Credit Cards Again

September 24, 2013

Housewives and house husbands who have been unable to qualify for credit cards during the past two years should try…

Watch Out for the $1 Credit Score

Watch Out for the $1 Credit Score

Ed Mierzwinski | September 23, 2013

Credit-reporting bureaus have a new way to coax us into paying big bucks for a monthly credit-monitoring service by charging…

The Best (and Worst) Credit Cards for 2011

The Best (and Worst) Credit Cards for 2011

Curtis Arnold | June 12, 2013

Credit card issuers have been flooding mailboxes with new offers after pulling way back in 2009 amid a credit crisis…

Best Credit Cards for 2013

Best Credit Cards for 2013

Odysseas Papadimitriou | February 4, 2013

One even offers 6% cash back on groceries Attractive credit card offers are available again for consumers who seek better…