Why You Might Not Want to Zero Out Every Credit Card
In general, using as little of your credit card limits as possible is better for your score. So logic would suggest that paying off your credit cards early so that…
Bev O'Shea
Bev O’Shea writes about consumer credit for NerdWallet. She has been a speaker at FinCon, a national personal finance conference. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, MarketWatch, USA Today and MSN Money, and on the Associated Press wire. Her credit score was briefly a perfect 850, she won’t co-sign, even for her children, and she is a serial mortgage refinancer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: BeverlyOShea
Posts by Bev O'Shea:
Is That ‘Contact Tracer’ Really a Scammer? How to Tell
If you’re contacted about possible exposure to the coronavirus, make sure it’s legit. Scammers are masquerading as contact tracers, and it’s smart to verify calls or texts before giving out…
How to Organize Important Documents Simply and Safely
Tax filing deadlines inspire many of us to vow that we’re finally going to organize our papers. Start with understanding what should be kept, in what format and for how…
File Your Claim in the Yahoo Data Breach Settlement by July 20
The deadline for filing for benefits in the Yahoo data breach settlement is coming up soon, on July 20. You may be eligible to collect part of a $117.5 million…
Why Good Credit Matters — Even if You Don’t Plan to Borrow
Even if you don’t plan to borrow a dime, a good credit record is valuable. Think of it like a household fire extinguisher: It’s smart to have a good one…
Credit Score Drop? How to Diagnose Why, and What to Do Next
As the pandemic hits the economy hard, lenders and credit card issuers are offering payment modification programs such as forbearance and deferrals. The coronavirus relief package enacted March 27 requires…
How to Manage Your Credit Score During a Crisis
Even in a financial crisis, credit scoring still works the same as it always has. But managing your credit may look a little different now as the coronavirus pandemic leads…
You Can Now Get Free Weekly Credit Reports — Here’s How to Use Them
The three major credit-reporting agencies announced Monday that consumers can get free weekly credit reports from now through April 2021. That’s a very big deal for Americans worried about what…
Where Coronavirus Relief Checks Go, Fraudsters Follow
If you’ve gotten your stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service, great. Now, guard that money, because scammers are eager to pick your pocket. If you’re still waiting for your…
How COVID-19 Payment Accommodations May Affect Your Credit
If you’ve been affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible for relief in paying bills. That can help you prevent damage to your credit from late payments at a time…
