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...

You’re a first-time car buyer who is in the beginning stages of purchasing a vehicle, and you’re not sure where to start. If you plan on getting your car financed, you have the option of either getting a car loan or auto financing. While the option you choose may depend on your financial...

If you’re someone who has a history of bad credit, setting up a budget may be a wise move for you financially and may help you get on the path to improving...

When someone has bad credit, it either means they have a poor history of paying their bills on time or they owe too much money. Traditional finance companies are...

Whether you’re doing it yourself or teaming up with a professional financial planner, taking time to review your finances and set up a budget, savings and/or...

Although buying a car with bad credit or no credit history may be a challenge, it’s not impossible. Here are some steps you can take:...

It’s common to confuse checking your credit report with checking your credit score. However, the two are not one in the same. Let’s take a look at how they differ...

When making payments on a car loan or auto financing, keep in mind that many creditors report your payment history to the three major credit reporting...