How Long Does It Take to Rebuild Credit From 500 to 700?

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

Can Debt Be Written Off Due to Mental Illness? A Comprehensive Guide to Debt Relief and Mental Health

Juggling your financial responsibilities can often be an overwhelming task. Debt of many kinds can accumulate far too quickly, from utility bills and student loan repayments to credit card bills and mortgage payments. Even the most mentally strong among us may experience stress and anxiety from this, let alone those who have mental health issues … Read more

How to Build Your Credit Fast: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Although it’s difficult to imagine any consumer in the 21st-century digital world being invisible, an Experian/Wyman study estimates that there are up to 28 million “credit invisibles” in the United States. Another 21 million have some credit history but are considered “credit unscorable. ”. Consumers who have never used a credit card, had a car … Read more

Understanding the Debt-to-Income Ratio: A Crucial Factor for Mortgage Approval

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

Is Having a Low Credit Limit Bad?

Consumers are impacted by pay reductions, furloughs, unforeseen personal financial emergencies, and unemployment; many of them rely on credit cards and credit lines to help them pay for necessities. Regretfully, some creditors and lenders are changing their lending practices and reducing credit limits, leaving borrowers to wonder how their credit scores will be impacted by … Read more