Credit & Debt
Secured vs Unsecured Debt: Why the Difference Matters
Secured debt is backed by something a lender can take, and unsecured debt is not. That one difference decides rates,…
Charge-Offs: What They Mean and How Long They Last
A charge-off does not erase a debt. Here is what the term really means, how long it stays on your…
Credit Utilization: The Ratio and How to Lower It
Credit utilization compares your card balances to your limits, and it moves your score fast. Here is how the ratio…
Debt Validation: Making a Collector Prove the Debt
Federal law gives you the right to make a debt collector prove a debt is yours before you pay. Here…
The Avalanche or the Snowball: Paying Debt by the Math
Avalanche and snowball are the two classic debt payoff methods. Here is how each one works, what the math says,…