Credit

July 26, 2020

I want to buy a house, but my credit isn’t good. What can I do?

I want to buy a house, but I have bad credit. Should I file bankruptcy? What should I do? Submitted by Marcella S. Buying a home is many people’s idea of achieving the American Dream. But the road to homeownership can be stressful, confusing, and overwhelming. When I purchased my first home, I had no…

July 10, 2020

Why do credit sites recommend I get another credit card?

I’ve worked hard to get my credit score into the excellent range using only one credit card. I pay monthly before the due date. Why do credit sites like Credit Karma and Credit Sesame keep suggesting I get another credit card to improve my score even more? What is the impact on a credit score…

June 08, 2020

Can I trade in my new truck for a cheaper car?

I have a truck that I just bought for $35,000. It’s now worth about $31,000. Can I trade my truck in for a $20,000 car? What happens with my negative equity on the truck and my sedan that I just paid for with the trade–in value? Submitted by Jae E. It’s common to buy a…

May 10, 2020

What can I do if there are loans on my credit report that aren’t mine?

Your credit history is an important factor for obtaining a loan, renting an apartment, and sometimes getting a job. However, it’s not uncommon for a credit report to contain mistakes. For example, your credit report may show an unpaid medical bill ...

June 17, 2020

Are there debt consolidation companies for poor credit scores?

Submitted by Sara K. A Debt Management Plan (DMP) that is offered by a non-profit credit counseling agency can be an excellent tool for getting out of debt. Anyone can use these plans, whether they have poor credit or great credit. Credit cards, co...