Financial Fundamentals Blog

The Top 6 Benefits of Keeping a High Credit Score

  • 7 17 Staff
Financial experts all talk about the importance of building and maintaining good credit. But what exactly does this mean — and why should consumers care? If you haven’t pulled a credit report or applied for credit recently, your credit score might not be at the top of your mind. But your credit score plays a crucial role in...

Is It Possible To Reset Credit?

  • 7 17 Staff
A high credit score helps build healthy financial wellness and supports goals such as a new house, car, or apartment. However, having a low credit score can impact a person’s ability to attain these large investments and result in overwhelming stress.

How Credit Inquiries Affect Your Credit Score

  • Francesca Sacco
Did you know that every time you apply for credit, you could be impacting your credit score? Potential creditors or lenders check your credit history each time you apply for a new credit card or loan. Depending on the scenario and the inquiry, you could see a change in your credit score. Here’s a quick comparison of hard and...

Tax-Related Identity Theft: Common Signs You Might be a Victim

  • 7 17 Staff
Though the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that tax-related identity theft is on the decline, it’s still a possibility. Here are a few signs that could indicate you’re a victim.

What is a Credit Report and Why Should You Check It?

  • 7 17 Staff
Your credit report might be the most important financial tool you have, but do you know why? Check out this primer on the basics of a credit report, and why it’s so essential to your financial life.

Fraud Alert vs. Credit Freeze: Which is Right for You?

  • 7 17 Staff
If you’re concerned about identity theft, it could be in your best interest to place a Credit Freeze or Fraud Alert on your accounts. But, which one is right for you? Here’s what these tools are and how they work so that you can determine your next steps.

What Is A Good Credit Score?

  • 7 17 Staff
Your credit score is an important financial asset and can affect many of your financial decisions, such as if you get approved for an auto loan, mortgage, personal loan or credit card. However, you may be wondering, “What is a good credit score, and what exactly factors into my credit score?” We’re removing the mystery...

How Do Student Loans Really Affect Your Credit Score?

  • 7 17 Staff
If you took out student loans for your college education, you may be wondering how student loans affect credit scores. Your credit score is one of your most important assets and impacts many things in your life, such as your ability to rent an apartment, purchase a house or car, or apply for a personal loan or credit card....

5 Tips on How to Improve Your Credit Score

  • 7 17 Staff
Your credit score is one of your most important financial assets. It can affect a lot of your financial decisions such as purchasing a car or house, applying for a student loan or credit card, and even renting an apartment. A low credit score can have many impacts on your life — and not just financially. It can also affect your...

Here's How Much a Low Credit Score Can Cost You

  • Francesca Sacco
Your credit score is often cited as one of your most important financial assets. But while financial experts love to discuss the risk of a low credit score, many consumers aren’t aware of the material costs that come with negative marks on their credit report. The costs of a low credit score can span many aspects of your...

Tips to improve your credit score

  • Francesca Sacco
2020 was a difficult year financially for many. If the pandemic impacted your finances, it’s a good idea to develop a new strategy for any financial moves you have planned, like purchasing a home or car, or readjusting saving and spending goals.

How Credit Scores Are Determined and Why They Matter

  • Francesca Sacco
You might not think about credit scores much in your day-to-day life — and if you’re just getting started managing your own money, you might have no idea what your credit score even is. But while this number might reside beyond your line of sight, it can have huge implications for your short-term finances, and it could affect...