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Exclusive credit cards are usually associated with the in-crowd. As we get older, we want the designer clothes, the luxury car and the friends with all the best connections. From those teenage years on, we want to prove our worth and exclusive credit cards are the new cool table. Available only to the ridiculously-affluent, the credit card industry has been offering exclusive credit cards to people who wouldn't mind…

Credit reporting changes are taking place and your credit score could benefit. They could potentially qualify for lower interest rates on auto financing, student loans and mortgage rates. According to the Wall Street Journal, the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) announced an agreement in May that will make it easier for consumers to correct potential errors on their credit report. The agencies will also alter the…

Applying for a credit card, payment plan, or loan of any kind can be a scary process. The paperwork to apply for the loan is long and complicated. Worse still you have to wait and worry about whether they'll approve the loan. Keeping your credit report clean is the easiest way to make applying for a loan easier. Make sure you avoid these red flags on your credit report. Cosigned…

Debt collectors have rules to abide by.  A statute of limitations prevents legal action after a certain amount of time. In the United States, debt collectors typically have between three and ten years to file suit against you. If they do not file within that timeframe, they lose the right to pursue repayment in court. These laws help ensure that debt collection occurs within a reasonable amount of time.…

The term "zombie debt" refers to any old debt that has suddenly "come back to life" to haunt you. Essentially, these are debts that everyone agrees are too old to collect. If you didn't pay a bill last decade, and no one took you to court over it, then the debt is too old to pursue. If a collection agency contacts you to collect on that old debt, the…

If you need to submit a credit report dispute, you are not alone. Recent research shows that one in five Americans has a mistake on his or her credit report. Inaccurate information can create financial hardships that you do not deserve. Just one mistake could make it impossible for you to qualify for low-interest credit cards, mortgages, and other types of credit. If you find a mistake on your…

If you are looking to improve your credit, you are not alone.  Research from Encore Capital Group and the Urban Institute show that about 77 million Americans have debt in collections. That's a whopping 35% of American consumers who have credit files with any of the three major bureaus. Having an account in collections can do serious damage to your credit report and rating. If an agency is trying…

American outstanding credit card debt currently stands at $16 trillion. It’s said that in only 7 generations, banks would own every facet of our lives if this scary number continues to rise. Part of the reason why this number is so high is credit card debt, which currently is estimated to be about $15,000 per person. In addition, the United States Federal Reserve System estimates that as of July…

A bad credit score equals bad news for your financial life. A credit score, also known as a FICO score, is a three digit numerical number that determines your creditworthiness. This is an important number because it can play a huge role in determining whether you’ll be approved for a variety of big purchases.  Everything from a car loan to that nice apartment, will all require looking at your…

Divorce tips are in order since couples who fight at least once a week have a 30% greater chance of getting a divorce.  Many couples fight about money which can eventually lead to divorce. The worst part? Even a divorce won’t necessarily put an end to fights about money. Below are divorce tips along with effective strategies on how to deal with common issues Understanding Your Complete Financial Picture…