We're taught to think of retirement savings as a last resort, but it can often be in your best interest to use them to maximize your Social Security benefits.

Reason codes are provided to consumers with their credit scores, and tell them why their credit score isn't higher. We help decode the codes.

Here are 3 mental tricks to help you overcome stress as you work to improve your credit.

Here are five things car dealers may not tell you that can save you money on your next car purchase.

Immigrants on the path to citizenship want to set down roots and take advantage of low interest rates in the U.S. But can non-residents get a home loan to live the American dream?

With all of the recent changes to hotel rewards programs, here's what you need to know to choose the best hotel rewards credit card.

You don't need to obsess over your credit score to make sure it's in good shape, says the president and CEO of a credit scoring company.

When you have debts you can't afford to pay, your options for dealing with them are limited. Timing is a critical factor when trying to avoid a debt spiral.

Are you recently married (or soon to be) and you're already thinking about taxes for next year? Here are your options so you can make an informed decision.

This month, in our Best Credit Cards In America series, we look at the best cash rewards cards, and what should you look for in a good cash rewards card.

A reader wrote us to ask how she can repair her credit. We look at the downsides of hiring a credit repair agency, and the upsides of DIY credit building.

As more schools take on financial education, we need to help students not only master the concepts, but also learn how to make the right financial decisions.

Planning to pay off your mortgage faster? Here's when it makes sense, plus the top five reasons to postpone the mortgage-burning party.

Today, just 35 percent of college students have credit cards in their name, down from 42 percent just two years ago, according to a new survey.

The CFPB says that senior citizens may be particularly at risk for difficulties getting proper - or trustworthy - help from financial advisers.

These four types of mistakes that can appear on your credit reports can have a serious impact on your credit score.

The "Rent vs. Own" debate has been raging for decades, but here's how to determine whether renting or owning a home is the right decision for you.

There are times in life when it's absolutely vital to monitor your credit.

New research shows that a large number of consumers who had their delinquent mortgages modified are now falling behind on their bills once again.

A new proposal that would allow child identity theft victims to receive new, clean Social Security numbers has the full backing of the Federal Trade Commission.

If graduates knew these things about student loans, credit scores, identity theft and social media, their entry into the real world might be a little easier.

Here are four of the top summer travel destinations, and how to get the most out of your credit card travel rewards.

Today, 22 percent of Americans say that they have never ordered a copy of their credit reports, despite the fact that they can get free copies under federal law.

These days, the risk of outliving your money in retirement is very real. Here's how to plan for a successful life once your working life is done.

We recently received a question from a reader about why her credit score would suffer from "too much credit card debt" when she pays her balance in full every month.

Payday loans are often criticized by consumer experts, and a new study into those loan products shows just how damaging they can be for borrowers.

You want to start a small business, but bankers won't give you the time of day. You're not doomed to failure though -- you can always crowdfund your business.

The simplicity of a "cash only" lifestyle can be tempting, but credit is a real asset in this day and age. Here are five other credit and money tips that aren't absolute.

Identity theft can hit consumers in a number of ways, but a new study shows that criminals are using credit cards more often to commit their crimes.

One thing holding back your credit score may be your credit cards themselves. Here are five ways your credit cards might be hurting your credit.

Why lenders are unwilling to work to make student loan payments more affordable, and how to get them to lower your payments.

The biggest secret credit mistake actually happens when people are trying to turn their credit score around and be more financially responsible.

Credit scores distill information from credit reports in order to measure risk. What if a similar kind of score was used for buying guns?

I work with a lot of widows trying to navigate the tricky world of Social Security benefits. Here are some of the basics you need to know.

Here's how debt relief programs can affect your credit report, credit score, and future access to credit products.

Something that takes as little as five minutes a day can change your financial life.

There are many reasons to rent a car -- perhaps for a vacation or to replace your car when it's in the shop -- but your credit might be at risk when you rent.

The majority of consumers still have credit scores of more than 700, but the share of those borrowers in the top two tiers of scores has also been shrinking in the past year or so.

On television, there are dads with good credit, and dads with very bad credit. Here we celebrate the latter.

While not all debt collectors break the federal laws regulating their industry, some do. Here's how you can protect yourself by recognizing a shady collector.

You probably never leave the house without your smartphone. But if you're not careful, it can harm your credit history and drag down your score.

New statistics show that student loans may prevent young consumers taking on other debt, and the housing and auto markets could suffer as a result

When you consider spending your hard-earned points and mile,s you should never do the following six things if you want to make the most of your plastic points.

One government agency has bungled yet another enforcement action, leaving many to wonder whether the U.S. would be better off without it.

Business travelers charge thousands of dollars to their credit cards for expenses that their companies then reimburse. Here's how to make money off cash-back rewards.

A bankruptcy can hold you back from financial freedom for years.

If you already have student loans and you think you're out of options, think again.

Consumers who've found themselves with bad credit because of unemployment may find it tougher to get a job because of their credit history. A boss weighs in with advice on how to get the job.