EXPRESS LANE BLOG

It goes without saying that buying a car is a major purchase — one that involves a lot of research, time and, of course, money. If you’re a first-time car buyer or someone with bad credit who is looking to get a car loan or vehicle financing, it’s important for you...

COVID-19 threw us all for a loop. More than 36 million Americans have filed unemployment and more than 360,000 people worldwide have died due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is a difficult time that has affected many of us in life-altering ways. As we continue navigating through...

Given the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, along with stay-at-home orders in place across the country, you may be wondering if now is a good time to purchase a vehicle if you’re in the car-buying market. Here are a few things you should know if...

Due to changes in today’s economy, you may have some concerns about the state of your personal finances and credit. It’s important for you to monitor your credit history and take advantage of financial resources that may be available to you. Here are some steps you can take to...

The journey to improving your credit may seem like a challenge, but it’s a process that takes time and discipline. So far, the steps we’ve covered to improving your credit include:

It goes without saying that 2020 has been one, big rollercoaster ride. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have ranged from hundreds of thousands of people across the world losing their lives, to millions of people losing their jobs. Schools and businesses have been shut down for...

So you’re gearing up to purchase a vehicle and have been cruising down your list of car-buying to-dos. You’ve set a budget, narrowed down your options, and now you’re ready to take your soon-to-be ride for a test spin and, hopefully, off the lot. But before...

Since adulthood comes with its fair share of life-changing decisions—most of which directly relate to finances—graduating from college is a major turning point for many recent graduates. While having complete independence and autonomy over your...

If you’re a recent college grad, you probably don’t have much credit history established. But as you’re making the transition from college to adult life, now would be a good time to start focusing on building your credit. According to Experian, your credit...

Buying a car for the first time can feel like a rite of passage. Maybe you’re transitioning from borrowing your parents’ car as a teenager to having complete autonomy—emphasis on auto —to purchase a vehicle that best fits your needs, lifestyle and budget. Or, perhaps...

Since financial literacy education is not prevalent in schools, the most effective way to ensure your children learn the fundamentals of money management is by teaching them. Here are several areas you can focus on: Wants vs. Needs Teaching your...

Establishing credit as a first-time car buyer can be a doozy. Let’s say you just graduated from school and are in the beginning stages of adult life. You plan on purchasing a vehicle, but don’t have the credit...

If you’re in the beginning stages of purchasing a vehicle, your focus might be on the color, gas mileage, design and high-tech features that are specific to the make and model of your car-to-be. While those factors play an important role in your car-buying decision, knowing the nitty-gritty details of your auto...

If you have any type of debt — car payments, a mortgage, student loans or credit cards — you’re not alone. The latest findings from the New York Federal Reserve indicate that U.S. consumer debt has reached $13.86 trillion. Auto loans make up $1.3 trillion of...

While having one or more car repossessions can cause setbacks in your credit history, it’s not the end of the road. Not only is it possible for you to get approved for vehicle financing after a repossession, you can also rebuild your credit history over...

If you’re on a journey to improving your credit, establishing a good payment history can help you get on the right track. Your credit payment history, which FICO states determines 35 percent of your credit score, is the record you’ve established over time by either making...

If you’re trying to purchase a vehicle with bad credit or no credit, many traditional lenders and finance companies may recommend or require a cosigner to receive credit approval. While a cosigner can increase your chances of getting approved for traditional financing, you can...

Ah, tax season. That taxing time of year (pun intended) when taxpayers eagerly prepare and file their tax returns for the previous year. Although your tax information generally isn’t reported to the credit bureaus, there is a way it can show up in your credit history.   ...

If you’re someone with bad credit or no credit who is looking to purchase a vehicle, you will almost certainly need to provide proof of income to get approved for financing during the car-buying process. Why? Because banks and...

Buying a car after bankruptcy may seem like an impossible feat, but it’s not. While having a bankruptcy on your credit report can make it tougher to get approved for financing, there are still ways you can get credit approval to purchase a vehicle. But first, let’s take...