Beverly is a writer, editor, and paralegal specializing in personal finance and tax law. She covers personal financial and legal topics, as well as tax breaks, tax preparation software, and tax law ...

The rule of thumb for credit scores is the higher, the better. Does that mean hitting the highest possible credit score — 850 — is a goal worth striving for? Admittedly, a good to excellent credit ...

A great credit score makes borrowing money more affordable. Focus on paying debts on time and keeping credit card balances as low as possible. The right cash back credit card can earn you hundreds, or ...

Credit scores don’t matter unless you’re trying to get a loan, rent an apartment, secure insurance, buy a home, avoid paying a deposit to utility companies, or even land some jobs. OK. Unless you’re ...

Raising your credit score makes banks more likely to approve you for a mortgage, car loan or credit card. Plus, you could qualify for a lower interest rate that saves you thousands of dollars. Getting ...

A strong credit score could give you access to some of the top offers. Applying for new cards strategically could help you take advantage of these deals without risking credit score damage. The right ...

Contrary to what you might think, there’s a travel credit card for every credit score. You just might have to lean more heavily on cash back if your score is on the lower end. A poor credit score is a ...

More than a third of all Americans have a credit score below 670, according to Experian. And many don’t realize what’s hurting their credit until they’re denied a loan or hit with higher costs. Your ...