What is the 609 Credit Repair Loophole? A Deep Dive into This Popular Credit Repair Strategy

Experian, TransUnion and Equifax now offer all U.S. consumers free weekly credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com. If you’ve spent any time searching the internet for advice on how to improve your credit, you’ve probably come across one of the numerous articles about the fictitious 609 Dispute Letter. A 609 Dispute Letter is frequently advertised as a … Read more

Why Do Car Dealerships Ask for Money Down?

When buying a car, dealerships often encourage customers to make a substantial down payment While this might seem like just another way for them to squeeze extra money out of you, there are actually several reasons why they push for a larger down payment Reduced Loan Risk First off, a larger down payment results in … Read more

Can You Fix Your Credit in 3 Months? A Comprehensive Guide to Rapid Credit Repair

We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our objective is to empower you to make confident financial decisions by giving you access to interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and unbiased content, and allowing you to conduct free research and information comparisons. Issuers that Bankrate has partnerships with include American Express, Bank of America, … Read more

How Much Money Can You Have in the Bank If You’re on Social Security?

Your bank account balance may have an impact on your eligibility for and ability to receive Social Security disability benefits. This usually pertains more to those who receive SSD benefits through the Supplemental Security Income program, which has eligibility requirements based on resource and income limitations. If the benefits you receive come from the Social … Read more

Your Credit Report: The Key to Financial Freedom

Every year, consumers are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Additionally, consumers are entitled to free credit reports under federal law in the event that a business has taken negative action against them. This includes denial of credit, insurance or employment, … Read more