Personal Credit Basics

What Does Available Credit Mean?

Available credit is just as it sounds—it’s the amount of credit on your card that’s available for you to use on purchases. You can figure...

What Is a Charge-Off?

Household credit card debt rose by $38 billion in the third quarter of 2022, reaching $0.93 trillion—which represents a 15% year-over-year increase of $121 billion—according...

Hard vs Soft Credit Checks: What’s The Difference?

Applying for credit can be a daunting process. From finding the right credit card or auto loan to filling out a mortgage application and waiting...

Avoiding Credit Card Debt Over the Holidays

The holidays are right around the corner, and if you’re like many Americans, that means additional expenses for gifts, food and drinks for parties, holiday...

How Do Credit Card Interest Rates Work?

Credit card interest is a percentage you pay on the balance you carry. It’s basically the cost of borrowing money … so you a...

How Often Should You Apply For a Credit Card?

Being approved for credit (coupled with responsible use) can give your spending power a real boost, while also contributing toward a healthy financial life. However,...