Even More Tidbits
- You can use Mint.com to manage your budget, track spending and monitor your banking accounts with easy-to-use personal finance tools and calculators.
- You can opt out of receiving “Firm Offers” (pre-approved offers) for credit or insurance.
- The National Foundation for Credit Counseling is a non-profit organization of agencies that provide free or low-cost credit counseling that can help you work with your lenders to come up with a more affordable payment plan.
- At MyFico.com you can access and monitor your FICO score with easy-to-understand charts, graphs and other tools.
- The three major credit bureaus in the United States, Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian, are each required by law to provide consumers with one free credit report per year. These reports can be accessed at AnnualCreditReport.com
- Some of the easiest lines of credit to get approved for include Exxon Mobil, Shell and Citgo gas cards (all of these are offered by Citi). It is also relatively easy to get approved for entry-level Orchard Bank and Capital One cards. A secured credit card is another good option for someone looking to establish or rebuild a credit history.
- The national average credit to debt ratio is about 48% (Available Credit) to 52% (Debt).
- Early repayment of loans does not increase your credit score. To the contrary, an open account in good standing can benefit your score moreso than a closed account! Nevertheless, it may be financially beneficial to pay off a high-interest loan early.
- MyMoney.gov is the U.S. government’s website dedicated to teaching Americans financial education basics.
