Recent Articles

Should you freeze your credit? What it does (and doesn’t do) to protect you

By Dawn Papandrea | Updated on May 13, 2025

But should you freeze your credit? And what do credit freezes actually do to protect you? Learn all about what credit...

With Southwest now charging for checked bags, are Southwest credit cards still worth it?

By Holly Johnson | Updated on May 12, 2025

Southwest Airlines has always chosen to do things differently, from its love-it-or-hate-it open seating policy to its no-fee flight changes and...

Should you have multiple credit cards? Lessons from cardholders with excellent credit scores

By Richard Barrington | Updated on May 9, 2025

New findings from a CardRatings.com cardholder satisfaction survey suggest that's how people with excellent credit scores approach their credit card strategy....

How to get your credit ready for retirement

By Dawn Papandrea | Updated on May 8, 2025

Dealing with credit trouble when you're living on Social Security and other fixed retirement income can make it hard to have...

How does credit card debt impact your debt-to-income ratio?

By Choncé Maddox | Updated on May 7, 2025

Understanding how credit card debt affects your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio can make all the difference when planning your financial future. The...

Student loan payments now affecting credit: What you need to know

By Holly Johnson | Updated on May 6, 2025

Interestingly, borrowers who are delinquent or in default on their student loans have not had their late payments reported to the...

New high in credit card balances: How to take control and reduce your debt

By Bob Haegele | Updated on April 30, 2025

Debt levels have increased significantly in the last 10 years in the United States, with credit card and student loan balances...

How to use your tax refund to reduce credit card debt

By Richard Barrington | Updated on April 28, 2025

If the 2024 tax year is anything like the prior one, you may be one of millions of Americans who receives...

What are the best credit union credit cards?

By Curtis Arnold | Updated on October 30, 2025

If you're looking for something a bit smaller and more personal than a giant banking conglomerate, credit unions and regional banks...

How long does it take to increase your credit score?

By Adam Frankel | Updated on April 25, 2025

A strong credit score sets the tone for your overall financial health. A good credit profile can unlock economic opportunity in...

Survey shows men are more likely to think they could do better — with their credit cards

By Richard Barrington | Updated on April 22, 2025

It's not quite fair to say that men are more likely to want to play the field while women are more...

My go-to credit card — and why I never leave home without it

By Bob Haegele | Updated on June 24, 2025

Many credit cards have sign-up bonuses to entice new potential customers. These bonuses come in many forms, with some offering points...

What are credit card convenience checks and should you use them?

By John Schmoll | Updated on April 17, 2025

Have you ever received blank checks with your monthly credit card statement? These credit card checks provide access to your line...

Are credit card numbers on their way out? A look at the latest trends

By Geoff Williams | Updated on April 15, 2025

They may not all exactly be numberless, but our credit card numbers – in the not far-off future – won’t resemble...

5 benefits of a good credit score

By Michelle Lambright Black | Updated on April 14, 2025

Your credit score is more than just a number -- it's a tool lenders use to assess your financial reliability. When...