Finance Globe

U.S. financial and economic topics from several finance writers.

Mary Tomkins is a freelance writer located in Spartanburg, SC, with emphasis on economic news and research on the financial industry.

10 Steps to Improving Your Credit Score

Your credit score is the three digit number lenders look at to determine whether they will grant you credit, and at what price. This number tells lenders how well you’ve handled your past and current debts, and how well you’re likely to handle them in the future. Several credit-scoring systems are in use in America today, but your FICO score is the most commonly used, especially by mortgage lenders. Fair, Isaac, & Co, who developed the...
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Using Credit Cards Wisely

Credit can make life so much easier - it allows us to enjoy things now while we pay for them later. Many of us would never become a homeowner or have a nice car if we had to save up the money to pay for them in cash. Every little emergency would be a major issue if it weren’t for the convenience of a credit card. Credit can help us get through tough times and allow...
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Intro to Debt Consolidation

Buying things on credit is the American way. Many consumers don’t even carry cash; it’s safer and more convenient to swipe a card than to pull out cash and wait for change. If you lose your card, just call the bank and have the card reissued with a new number, no worries about losing cash and it being gone for good. You might want something now and payday’s not for another week; pull out your credit...
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Home Equity Loans; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Your home is a valuable asset. It can be a “forced savings” even if you haven’t made any other investments. This investment can be a safety net if you come across a need for money. It takes many years to pay down your mortgage and build up equity, but over time it can amount to much more than you would ever be able to put away otherwise. Home equity is the amount of the value of...
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Rebuiling Bad Credit

Life is unpredictable. We might get into situations we hadn't planned for. Job loss, medical emergencies, divorce, or just living beyond our means can get us into financial trouble. No matter what causes our bad credit, it can prevent us from getting that mortgage or auto loan that we really need. It takes time, money, and discipline, but bad credit can be repaired. First, you need to know what is on your credit report. There are...
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Establishing Credit

Credit = convenienceWe live in a consumer-driven society. We enjoy nice things like cars with more options and big houses. If we all had to work and save until we could pay cash for something, many of us would never be able to have those things. Being able to buy and use something now and then pay for it later opens many doors. This can greatly improve our quality of life. Establishing credit and proving creditworthiness...
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Secured Credit Cards

My first credit card was a secured card.I was 19, had a stable job and paid my rent and utilities on time. I spent money responsibly and took pride in managing my finances. I thought it would be easy to get a credit card.I soon learned that creditors did not see me the way I did, I had not established credit by simply paying my bills. How can a person establish credit if nobody will give...
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Choosing the Right Credit Card

Choosing a credit card at Finance Globe is designed to be fast, simple and efficient. However, choosing the wrong card can lead to unnecessary costs or fees, a feeling of resentment and unpleasant surprises. With your credit and wallet at stake, you really need to know how to choose the right card. Most credit card offers - from your mailbox, the bank, or on the web - can be confusing. The headlines are bolded, bright and...
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