Credit

How to Remove Defaulted Student Loans from Your Credit Report

How to Remove Defaulted Student Loans from Your Credit Report

Defaulting on a student loan can be a major financial impediment in the short-term future, but it doesn’t have to ruin your financial outlook for good. Below, we provide are a few simple steps you can take to get back on track and recover your credit score in a matter of months.

How to File for Bankruptcy in Illinois

How to File for Bankruptcy in Illinois

Maybe you are considering bankruptcy as a strategy for getting out of debt. However, before making any life-altering decisions, it’s important that you carefully explore all of your options. In this article, we give you a basic guide to filing for bankruptcy in Illinois.

How to File for Bankruptcy in Hawaii

How to File for Bankruptcy in Hawaii

Maybe you are considering bankruptcy as a strategy for getting out of debt. However, before making any life-altering decisions, it’s important that you carefully explore all of your options. In this article, we give you a basic guide to filing for bankruptcy in Hawaii.

How to File for Bankruptcy in California

How to File for Bankruptcy in California

Maybe you are considering bankruptcy as a strategy for getting out of debt. However, before making any life-altering decisions, it’s important that you carefully explore all of your options.

How to Get Medical Bills Removed from Your Credit Report

How to Get Medical Bills Removed from Your Credit Report

Out of the many impacts that come with unpaid medical bills, damage to your credit score is one of the most consequential. Technically, a medical bill can not be included in your credit report, but once your account remains unresolved after 180 days, the owner of the debt–typically, a hospital or a doctor’s office–can sell the outstanding amount to a debt collector. At that point, the debt collector can (and probably will) report your  debt as delinquent to all three credit agencies, thereby harming your credit score.

How to Write a Credit Dispute Letter

How to Write a Credit Dispute Letter

If you’ve noticed something awry in your credit report, there’s a lot you can do to take action and fix the problem. A well-composed credit dispute, first and foremost, should help you get back on your feet in no time.

Yes, You Can Negotiate Your Credit Card APR—Here’s How

Yes, You Can Negotiate Your Credit Card APR—Here’s How

If you’re in the process of paying off a credit card debt but feel like your interest rate is too high, you have the option of negotiating your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) with your credit issuer. When you feel ready to talk to your credit card company, dial the customer service number on the back of your credit card, then choose the options that will route you to speak with a representative. When the representative picks up, here are some tips that can help you negotiate.

Why You Should Build Your Savings BEFORE Paying off Debt

Why You Should Build Your Savings BEFORE Paying off Debt

When people find themselves in a lot of credit card debt, they tend to think it’s best to financially prioritize those debts and pay them off as quickly as possible. Credit card customers will put all of their extra income toward their balances in the hopes that, with enough hard work, they can climb out of their financial hole in the next few months.

How to Apply for a Credit Card With No Social Security Number

How to Apply for a Credit Card With No Social Security Number

If you don’t have citizenship, permanent residence, or a worker’s visa in the US, then you’ve probably found yourself in a difficult position when asked to present a Social Security number. Not having a Social Security number can be a major obstacle when applying for jobs, loans and credit cards, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a dealbreaker for your finances.

Paying Off Debt: Avalanche Vs. Snowball Method

Paying Off Debt: Avalanche Vs. Snowball Method

There’s so much advice out there about figuring out how to pay off your debts, but two specific methods are endorsed by financial experts: the debt snowball and the debt avalanche. Which debt you focus on, though, depends on whether you’d prefer to gain a sense of satisfaction in the immediate future (the debt snowball) or save money over the long-term (the debt avalanche). Here’s our explanation of both payment methods.