Your Credit

Your credit impacts several aspects of your finances: Interest rates on loans, insurance premiums and even employment. From protecting your information to improving your credit score, Team Clark has the resources you need to live a financially healthy life.

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Latest Credit

Average credit score
4 Ways To Get Your Free Credit Score Credit January 12th, 2023
Your credit score is important: It's one of the main factors lenders consider to determine your creditworthiness. There are multiple…
The 3 main credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
How To Reach a Human at Experian, TransUnion or Equifax Credit January 4th, 2023
From time to time, you may need to get in touch with the three major credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion…
PayPal Cashback Mastercard 2022 card art
PayPal Cashback Mastercard® Review 2023: Top Option for Online Shopping Credit December 13th, 2022
If you're in the market for a cash back credit card, online payment giant PayPal has a contender worth considering…
Credit Cards
5 Credit Card Mistakes To Avoid Money & Credit November 21st, 2022
Credit cards are a financial tool that can lead to great rewards and benefits. But if you mishandle them, you…
What Credit Score Do You Need To Buy a Car?
What Credit Score Do You Need To Buy a Car? Credit October 21st, 2022
Buying a car is a big decision, and if possible, it’s better to pay in cash. But for many people,…
What Is the Highest Credit Score?
What Is the Highest Credit Score? Credit October 13th, 2022
A high credit score is a great thing to have. But what is the highest credit score, and is reaching…
Credit report with score
The #1 Mistake That Can Hurt Your Credit Score Credit October 10th, 2022
There aren’t a lot of absolutes in this life. Death and taxes are usually the two things listed among life’s…
Clark Howard wants you to freeze your credit with TransUnion, Equifax and Experian
How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Credit October 4th, 2022
Freezing your credit with all three major credit bureaus is the single most important thing you can do to protect…
What is a good credit score?
What Is a Good Credit Score? Credit September 28th, 2022
Your credit score -- that sometimes mysterious number that reflects how responsible you are with your credit -- plays a…
Credit report application
How To Get a Free Credit Report Credit September 23rd, 2022
Staying on top of your credit report is key to making sure you stay in good financial shape. It's also…
average credit score
The Average Credit Score in America Credit September 3rd, 2022
Recent data from the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), the leading standard for credit scores,indicates that economic gains consumers made during…
Credit Karma vs. Credit Sesame: Is One Better Than the Other?
Credit Karma vs. Credit Sesame: Is One Better Than the Other? Credit September 3rd, 2022
Credit monitoring services such as Credit Karma and Credit Sesame enjoy widespread popularity these days, but which one is better?…
credit monitoring
Should You Pay for Credit Monitoring? Credit August 22nd, 2022
Monitoring your credit can be an effective way to safeguard your money and your identity. So is credit monitoring something…
How To Minimize the Damage of Unpaid Bills to Your Credit Score
How To Minimize the Damage of Unpaid Bills to Your Credit Score Credit August 9th, 2022
It can be very upsetting to see a late payment on your credit report especially if the debt has gone…
Credit Karma review
Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips Credit August 2nd, 2022
Credit Karma is a resource that money expert Clark Howard often recommends to get free credit monitoring and to see…
820 credit score
Why You Don’t Need an 800 Credit Score Credit July 22nd, 2022
Your credit score is an important part of your financial life, but is it worth obsessing over obtaining a perfect…
Checking credit score
Why Did My Credit Score Drop? Credit June 8th, 2022
You probably know that your credit score can drop if you don’t use credit responsibly. But there are also some…
medical collection debt
Big Changes Coming to Credit Reports This Summer Credit May 27th, 2022
The major credit reporting agencies are making changes to the way that they consider medical debt. The adjustments, which will…
Discover has discontinued its free FICO program for non-cardholders.
Discover Eliminates Free FICO Score Access for Select Consumers Credit March 16th, 2022
If you use Discover to access your FICO score for free each month, you soon may have to find an…
Credit freeze
Can Freezing Your Credit Hurt Your Credit Score? Credit March 4th, 2022
Anyone who follows money expert Clark Howard knows that his No. 1 suggestion for keeping your finances safe from criminals…
Why Are My Credit Scores Different?
Why Are My Credit Scores Different? Credit February 21st, 2022
Your credit score can be different at each of the major credit burueas: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Though it defies…
Credit score report - Why you need to check your credit report every year
5 Sneaky Ways To Improve Your Credit Score Credit December 22nd, 2021
There are certain times when it pays to have the highest credit score possible. Maybe you're about to refinance your…
Ask Clark money column
My Credit Card Issuer Is Cutting My Credit Line in Half. Will It Hurt My Credit Score? Credit November 15th, 2021
Welcome to Ask Clark, a column designed to answer your financial questions, bymoney expert Clark Howard. Will Losing Half My…
credit report
The Difference Between a Hard Inquiry and a Soft Inquiry on Your Credit Report Credit October 26th, 2021
If you apply for a loan or a credit card, the creditor will typically determine your creditworthiness by pulling your…
How To Build Credit
How To Build Credit Credit October 21st, 2021
Having a good credit score is vital for many reasons. A good credit score can help you get approved for…
Ask Clark money column
Is It Ever OK To Co-Sign a Loan With a Family Member? Credit August 25th, 2021
Welcome to Ask Clark, a column designed to answer your financial questions, bymoney expert Clark Howard. Is It OK To…
credit lender with credit scores
The Way Companies Use Your Credit Score Is Changing Credit August 12th, 2021
Money expert Clark Howard says the credit industry is undergoing some changes that could affect whether you’re approved for a…
Dispute Error on Credit Report
How To Dispute an Error on Your Credit Report and Win Credit July 30th, 2021
Your credit report and credit score are vital parts of your financial health. Using credit responsibly means you can get…
Monitor credit
How To Monitor Your Credit Credit June 17th, 2021
Way too many of us have a story about our credit card getting hacked or about being a victim of…
Ask Clark money column
Does a Credit Increase Request Create a Hard Pull on Your Credit Score? Credit June 14th, 2021
Welcome to Ask Clark, a column designed to answer your financial questions, bymoney expert Clark Howard. Does Asking for a…