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Good habits and a credit score
Chris Farrell Feb 1, 2012
We use a credit card to pay for all monthly expenses and then pay it off at the end of each month. My credit score fluctuates every quarter, depending on when the accounts are checked. My question is how can we convince the credit rating company that we do not carry any credit card debt from one month to the next? My score is currently at 749 but has been as high as 815. Thanks, I really enjoy your program. Randy, Macomb, IL
Patience scores!
Tess Vigeland Jan 20, 2012
Columbia Business School's Stephan Meier discusses his new study, which says that the more patient you are, the better your credit score is likely to be.
Suze debuts new show, new card
Tess Vigeland Jan 17, 2012
Financial adviser Suze Orman rolled out a new TV show and debit card this week. She discusses the controversial new card and why it could be her swan song.
A dream and a credit score
Chris Farrell Jan 6, 2012
''m curious about safe ways to establish credit. I have ambitions to run my own cafe and coffee roastery one day. Having a good credit history is going to be key. But, I hate the idea of spending money that I don't have and keeping track of interest rates. Are there any cards or plans I should look into, with this in mind? Charlie, Philadelphia, PA
To close or not to close
Chris Farrell Dec 8, 2011
I recently "moved my money" and I'd like to get rid of my old credit cards linked to the old bank accounts. Assuming there are no fees for keeping the old cards, should I save one and not use it, or occasionally use it in case it needs to remain active? Or can I simplify my life, cut loose the dormant accounts and just move on to my new cards? Any advice appreciated. Charlie, San Francisco, CA
How's my ratio?
Chris Farrell Dec 8, 2011
I understand that your credit score is affected by the percentage of your available credit that you use. However, does this reflect the total percentage of the total available, or is it specific to each line of credit? Gabriel, Somerville, MA
Worried about a tanking credit score
Chris Farrell Dec 1, 2011
Recently, I got married. I increased the credit line on one of my three credit cards and charged a lot of money on two of the cards. One, I basically stopped using, but it is open. I also had a lot of credit checks done as I was applying for financing a car. I leased a car and started renting an apartment. Now, when I started looking for a mileage credit card so my wife and I can better earn miles to travel, I found that my credit score has decreased and my applications are being denied. How can I rebuild my score after all these credit checks. Should I cancel the card I don't use? Thanks! Adam, Los Angeles, CA
A better option than a prepaid card
Chris Farrell Nov 29, 2011
I have a lousy credit score and am taking steps to improve it. In the meantime, I need to get a prepaid credit or debit card so I can pay for things like airfares, rental cars, hotel reservations, etc. Can you suggest the best prepaid card to go with? My initial Internet search for said cards resulted in a headache trying to figure out if these companies were a good deal or just a consumer nightmare. Any help is greatly appreciated. Mark, Duluth, MN
Stop Obsessing over credit scores
Chris Farrell Nov 4, 2011
A couple of weeks ago I was at a credit union and a manager mentioned that customers care deeply about their credit scores. It wasn't the case even...
The Recession's Consumer Paradox
Dash Wasserman Nov 3, 2011
David Brancaccio was in Los Angeles last week to guest host Marketplace Money. The theme: Borrow or spend? If we don't spend, life gets drained...
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