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If you have ever tracked your credit closely, you know how rare that number is. I had earned a perfect score before, lost it , and now earned it again. My FICO® Score landed at a perfect 850. Fast forward to November of 2025 and I noticed I did it again. Here is the important part. Getting there was not about (many) clever hacks, secret formulas, or financial wizardry. It was about boring consistency, clear roles, and my wife and I managing money like teammates instead of ass

Credit card debt rarely shows up all at once. It sneaks in quietly. A few months of higher grocery bills. Travel booked during a stressful season. One unexpected expense that never quite gets paid off. Before long, the balance is bigger than either partner expected, and the tension around it feels heavier than the number itself. That heaviness is not just psychological. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau , the average credit card balance now exceeds $5,300

My first reaction when I read that consumers are signing up for 100-month car loans was heartbreak. Not frustration. Not judgment. Heartbreak. A 100-month car loan belongs in the same category as a 50-year mortgage. Both are signals of a deeper affordability crisis. Millions of Americans are doing everything they can to meet basic needs, and the math simply is not working anymore. When the only way to afford a necessary purchase is to stretch debt across nearly a decade, the

One of the most common hurdles couples face is dealing with credit card debt—a burden that can strain even the strongest bonds. Credit card debt is particularly troublesome during and just following holiday seasons. 37% of Americans racked up holiday debt in 2025, averaging $1,223 — up from $1,181 last year. The average for parents was $1,324, according to a new report by  LendingTree . Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst, said in a statement to CNBC , “

In a dual-career household, financial teamwork is everything. But one number can make or break your ability to rent a home, buy a car, or...

When used wisely, introductory APR offers can be a powerful tool for managing debt or making strategic purchases. But if misunderstood or misused, they can backfire—leaving you buried under interest charges. As a national financial education expert and Accredited Financial Counselor®, I’ve seen how easy it is for everyday people to fall into this trap. Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead. What Is an Introductory APR? An introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is a pr

Credit scores quietly shape major decisions in our lives—buying a home, getting a car, renting an apartment, even landing a job. And in a...

Table of Contents What is a credit score? How is your credit score calculated? The five key credit building hacks I used Predict how...

I am not a credit card hater. Quite the opposite, actually. Using credit cards strategically and appropriately can lead to higher credit...

The Trump administration has neutered the government's consumer watchdog, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Since taking...

For many homeowners, the mortgage payment is the largest monthly expense. But what happens when you find yourself unable to make this...

Credit cards can be powerful tools for managing money and building credit—when used correctly. But without clear knowledge, they can also...

A particularly concerning trend: more Americans are using BNPL to pay for groceries. Usage jumped from 14% to 25% between 2021 and 2025 (...

A friend emailed me the Wall Street Journal article, One Man's Attempt to Get a Perfect 850 Credit Score . It resonated with me. As I...

You may have seen headlines such as this on Thursday, January 16th: " Biden announces final round of student loan forgiveness, bringing...

Ranking and comparing credit card websites and tools are commonly found online. Although the tools feel harmless at worst and helpful at...

Credit card debt can destroy marriages or be used as the tipping point to earn perfect credit scores, as I did  in our marriage. But it’s...

You’ll finish this post understanding three things: the dangers of credit cards, ten steps to use credit cards to build your credit score...

What Is a Schumer Box? The Schumer Box shows information about the card in a table format that appears in credit card agreements showing...

I’ll get straight to the point to save you time. Only around 10% of tax filers  itemize when filing. There is no need to read this post...