Most of us know that our credit score can affect our ability to rent property and take out loans for cars, houses and education. However, did you know that your credit score can also affect your ability to get the job you want? Here are a few reasons that companies might look into the credit scores of potential employees, and what you can do to improve your score and land the job of your dreams. Applying to Work in Finance? If you are applying for a position where you will be handling finances or other confidential information for a company,…

Your credit score is a quantifying measure that tells creditors and lenders how likely you are to responsibly handle money lent to you. While scores can fall anywhere between 300 and 850, the higher the score is, the better for your finances. A low score can financially handcuff you and take away your ability to buy a house, a car, or rent an apartment. But fear not! A low score can be remedied: there are several ways to improve your score and open the doors poor credit has slammed shut. Read on for four services that will make your credit…

Whether you're a college student just wading into the financial waters or have just moved to this country and have no US-based credit history, you may be wondering if credit cards are a smart option for building and improving credit. The answer is more complicated than you might expect. Keep reading to find out how—and whether—credit cards can help you improve your credit score. Double-Edged Sword If you're like most Americans, you likely hold at least one—and possibly several—credit cards. Many people turn to credit cards to augment their purchasing power, which can be a good thing. But it can…

How High Does My Credit Score Need to Be to Buy a House? You're probably aware of how much of an impact your credit score has on your entire life—from buying a home or car to signing up for a new credit card. While your scores affect just about every part of your life, especially when it comes to financial decisions, the question remains as to whether or not one needs a top-notch credit score to take out a loan and purchase a home. Can you have less than stellar credit and still buy that house you've had your eye…

Understanding credit is one of the most important components of being financially responsible as an adult. There are three types of credit that can affect your credit score, and understanding what each one is and how each one works is very important. For a review of the 3 types of credit, as well as how they can help improve your credit score, read on. Installment Credit Installment credit accounts are one of the most basic forms of credit. Installment credit is any credit that is paid off over a period of time in the form of installments or small portions…

You're probably aware of your individual credit score, but did you know your business has a score too? Even if you, as an individual and business owner, have poor personal credit, there are methods to build and improve business credit scores separate from your own personal credit. Read on for some insight into what business credit is, how it works and how business credit scores can be improved. Manage Your Business Credit First off, you should determine whether you have a business credit file or not, especially for small businesses. If you don't already have a DUNS number through Dun…

In the late 1970s, Muhammad Yunus began lending miniscule amounts of money out of his own pocket to the rural poor of Bangladesh. He soon received bank backing for his small loans and the microcredit movement grew. By 2007, the bank he established, Grameen Bank, meaning "Village Bank," had lent over $6 billion to over seven million low-income entrepreneurs. For his efforts, Yunus and Grameen Bank received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. In recognition of his struggle against global poverty, Yunus also received a U.S. Congressional Gold Medal, which was awarded in 2010 and presented in 2013. The poor face…

Building credit is one of the first steps to becoming financially independent and fiscally responsible. Additionally, building credit and boosting your credit score will help you with future financial endeavors, such as being approved for an auto loan or a homeowner's loan. If you're looking for some ways to improve your credit score, read on for some tips for fixing bad credit. Understand the Difference Between Debit and Credit First and foremost, you need to understand the difference between debit and credit, and how that difference will affect your credit score. Unlike with credit, making purchases with your debit card won't…

Your credit score is an important number: it will influence whether or not you get approved for an apartment or home rentals, loans and mortgages, and other types of financial undertakings. For more information about the details of your credit score and how to boost a credit score that's not so hot, read on. What Factors Make Up My Credit Score? The first thing you should understand about your credit score are the factors that influence it. Your credit score is calculated based on an in-depth consideration of your bill-paying history, how much of the credit available to you you're…

Your credit score is what potential lenders check to see how often you have made your payments on time, how much credit you use, how much credit you still have left to use, and whether or not a debt collector is collecting on bills you still owe. These credit scores help potential lenders or landlords make predictions about whether or not you will be able to make payments and whether or not you will make them on time. Your credit score also plays a role in what interest rates you will be offered when taking out a loan. Since your credit report…