Credit

Your credit score is made up of three numbers, serving as an indicator of your financial history, wellness, and responsibility. These three little numbers can spell the difference between approval and rejection for a mortgage, a job, a rental unit and so much more.

We have outlined how your credit score is calculated, why it matters and steps you can take to improve your score.

Consumer debt in the United States is more than $3.4 trillion, with credit card debt alone at a staggering $16,048 average per household.

If you want to buckle down the spending belt, experts agree on tried and true measures for viewing the light at the end of debt’s tunnel.

College is not just about partying and breaking all the rules your parents subjected you to while you were growing up … It’s also about, you know, preparing for your future and all that.

Once you leave college and enter the “real world,” you are going to quickly realize there is something really important you need to develop: good credit.

Choosing to pay a bill with a card can have a significant impact on your general financial wellness — for better or for worse. That’s why it’s important to consider the many variables of this decision before going ahead with it.

Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of paying monthly bills with a credit card or debit card.

Understanding how a credit card works can help the cardholder use it responsibly.

Here’s all you need to know about responsible credit card usage.

Credit card companies have a business model based on keeping you in debt as long as possible. They make statements difficult to comprehend with the expectation that you’ll just make the minimum payment to make that big ball of stress go away for another month. In truth, there’s a lot of information on there that can empower you as a consumer.

Let’s look at three steps you can take to lower the APR on your debt.

Hopefully, you’re working hard at keeping that score high by using your cards and paying your bills on time. You may be wondering, though, if more is better. Should you open a few more and get more available credit? Or are too many cards a liability to your score?

Read on for the answers to all your questions.

Those three magic digits tell a story of accountability, good financial sense, and the ability to spend mindfully. A great credit score also unlocks doors for large, affordable loans, employment opportunities, and more.