No, Carrying a Credit Card Balance Does Not Build Your Credit — Here’s What It Actually Costs You
Carrying a balance to build credit? The CFPB calls it a myth. Here’s what 48% of Americans are getting wrong — and what it’s actually costing them.
Credit Score
See my research, posts, and articles on credit scores, including how they work, ways to improve them, and common pitfalls to avoid. Click the link to learn more!
Does a Debt Management Plan Hurt Your Other Credit Cards?
Enrolling in a DMP can trigger adverse action on credit cards not in the program. Other creditors monitor your profile for signs of financial stress — and they can reduce limits or close accounts without warning.
What Does ‘This Will Remain Until’ on My Credit Report Actually Mean?
That date on your credit report is your automatic deletion deadline — the federally mandated date the bureau must remove that item. Here’s how it works, when the clock starts, and what to do if the item is still there after the date passes.
Should I Use a Debt Consolidation Loan to Pay Off My Credit Cards?
A debt consolidation loan can work — but it often makes things worse. Here’s the math nobody shows you before you sign, and when consolidation actually helps.
Closing a Credit Card Account Feels Like the Right Move — Here’s Why the Math Disagrees
Closing a credit card is an emotional move that often backfires financially. It raises your credit utilization ratio, can lower your average account age, and a high-interest card costs you nothing if you pay in full every month. Here’s why keeping it open is usually the smarter choice.
Credit Cards: The Complete Guide (How They Work, What They Cost, and When to Get Out)
Credit cards aren’t evil — but most people don’t understand the math. This complete guide covers how credit cards actually work, what the minimum payment trap really costs you, how credit cards affect your credit score, and every option available when the debt gets out of hand.
Is There a Minimum Debt Amount for Collections? The Real Answer
There is no legal minimum debt amount that must be owed before a creditor can send it to collections. Debts as small as $25 can be sold to collectors. Newer FICO models ignore collections under $100, and medical debts under $500 are no longer reported by credit bureaus.
FTC Warning: Credit Repair Companies Can’t Do What They Promise
The FTC warns that credit repair companies cannot legally remove accurate negative information from your credit report. They also can’t charge before work is done. Here’s what you can do yourself for free.
2026 Credit Score Changes: Medical Debt Gone, New Rules In
Your credit score calculation is changing in 2026. The CFPB removed $49 billion in medical debt from reports, new FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 models track 24 months of behavior instead of a snapshot, and rent payments can finally help build credit. Here’s what these changes mean for you.
FTC Warning: Influencer ‘Credit Repair’ Hack Is Actually Fraud
The FTC warns that influencers are telling people to file false identity theft reports to ‘fix’ their credit. This is a federal crime with fines and jail time. Here’s what you need to know.
