Credit Guides

Credit scores have a big impact on your life. They decide if you get a loan or a credit card, the interest rate you’ll be stuck with, or if you’ll snag your dream apartment.

Building credit is like taking a road trip with your kids. Are we there yet? Not yet. What about now?

Your credit score is a solid 650—but your neighbor just subtly told you that they finally reached 700. Is that how they got their flashy new car? Or is there a big money-making secret you don’t know about?

Financial institutions, as well as companies, will usually check an individual's credit score before extending new credit, or lending money. Better scores can mean lower interest rates on a loan, or eliminate the need to provide a deposit before receiving service from a utility.

The 800 credit score is like the holy grail of credit ratings—only 23% of Americans can boast having FICO® Scores of 800 or above.

Sweat is beading on your forehead—but you’re trying to play it cool. The salesman can’t tell you’re nervous, can he? Your credit is good enough— What if it’s not? Don’t put yourself through the above scenario—get educated before putting your dignity on the line at the car dealership.

Are you new to the world of credit and trying to build your score? If so, you may have heard that a 700 score is usually the minimum score you need in order to have "good" credit. But how long does it take to get a 700 credit score from 0? You may be surprised to know that it doesn't take long at all, and in fact, most people can reach a 700 credit score within a year!

A 710 credit score means you barely made it to the “good” credit score range.

Having business credit can ensure it won’t happen to you. It’s kind of essential, unless you want to crash and burn like the majority of new businesses out there. If you’re thinking about making your side hustle into a legit business, you’re about to face a huge learning curve. Stick with our guide to building business credit, and you’ll already be beating the competition before you even start the race!

Sounds pretty overwhelming at first. But once you learn the ropes, you’ll be mastering the art of being an adult in no time.

A credit score is a numerical value that summarizes all of the information appearing on an individual's credit report. Credit scores allow lenders and creditors to quickly determine the terms that apply to individual loans as well as qualify an individual for new lines of credit or loans.

It’s tempting to look for a guaranteed approval card to lower the chances of being given the cold shoulder. You won’t like hearing this, but the “guaranteed approval” is a myth. You need to meet a set of requirements for every card you apply for, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get it.

How did your colleague who spends half their time playing Sudoku get a mortgage quicker than it takes to hide their puzzle-playing habits from the boss? And how did Harry from HR apply for a car loan faster than it took for you to register a complaint?

You’re running through the airport—and your boarding gate with the golden ticket to a good credit score is about to close.

You finally went on that date. The conversation was fun and the eye contact was on point. But no call, no text—nada. Then you think back to when you both grabbed your credit cards to pay. You couldn’t help but notice their shiny Amex label—and the side-eye you got when you pulled out your credit-building card.

Annual percentage rates on credit cards are like calories in diet chocolate bars—the lower, the better. So, what is the best APR for a credit card?

If you’re looking for the perfect number of credit cards to build your credit, I’ve got bad news. There is no right answer to how many credit cards you should have.

In 2020, approximately 83% of Americans owned a credit card—and there’s a reason why. A credit card provides security, convenience, and immediate access to funds, and can even let you pocket some money. When used right. Apply for the wrong card and you’ll be paying fees for the privilege of carrying it in your wallet. But don’t worry—getting started is easy enough if you know where to begin.

Picture this—you’ve just kick-started your business, and you’re nervous as a cat. But just then, you get offered a helping hand—one that simplifies expenses, earns rewards, makes corporate purchases easier, helps build business credit, provides great rates on loans, and even makes tax filing bearable.

Do you have credit card debt? If so, depending on your finances and what you owe, you may be wondering if it's bad. First, money has no moral standing. You are not a bad or good person based on your savings, income, or debt. But, if you're wondering "Is 2000 in credit card debt bad?" keep reading and see! Spoiler alert; it's not bad, but you can pay it off if you want to (and we do advise that you do!).

People are such babies—canoodled, pampered, and spoilt by the service industry.

Most people take it at face value. You whip out your credit card, swipe, and collect your goods. Done.

You’re technically an adult at age 18, but you can’t yet buy cigarettes or alcohol—you’ve got to wait till you’re 21.

Paying off credit card debt can help boost your credit score, opening doors to better rates, more rewards, and those all-important bragging rights. But think twice before using another credit card to pay off your existing balance.

We sifted through nearly one hundred of the top credit cards, studied them, analyzed them, and then graded them based on the annual fee, APR, intro offer, and rewards rate. From this, we landed on the best cashback credit cards below.

“Credit cards are the devil!” Pretty sure that’s what Waterboy’s mamma would say—especially if she got behind on her bills.

Top secured credit card

And here's the detailed reviews for all of our top credit cards for 18-year-olds—currently 22 of them that made our top list. It's a mixture of student cards, secured cards, and a few alternative cards that dance to the beat of their own drum.

Capital One Platinum vs. Quicksilver—which is the Capital One card for you? The choice may be simpler than you think.

If you’re trying to pick between Capital One Venture and Quicksilver, it all boils down to your spending habits and what you want from a credit card. Venture is perfect for travel lovers, while Quicksilver is the go-to for cashback fans.

Capital One SavorOne vs. Quicksilver: The choice seems to be simple. SavorOne offers up to 3% cash back, and Quicksilver only 1.5%. Both are free to use and offer sign-up bonuses. But which one will actually be better for you?

When it comes to credit card options, it’s tricky to choose which one is right for you. They all promise the best rewards, the most flashy benefits, and fees that’ll make your wallet sing.

In 2022, Capital One unveiled the Venture X Business Card. Even though this card’s perks and benefits are similar to the Venture X Rewards card, its intro offer and spending requirements are mind-blowing.

If you’re a rideshare driver trying to cut down on gas expenses, the Uber Pro debit card can make your life on the road a lot smoother.

Why did the unsecured credit card blush? It was caught swiping right on a fair credit score profile.

If eBay is your number one choice for bargain buys—it’s about time you got rewarded for all the money you’ve been forking out.

Business should be about raking in the dough, not drowning in paperwork. Nobody has time for boring expense reports and snooping around your employees’ spending habits. The Ramp card claims to be the hero of streamlined expense management.

The FoundersCard seems like the most coveted, sleek, and elegant card to own. With a list of 500+ out-of-this-world rewards, it has got everyone talking.

Guaranteed 1.5% cash back on everything, no annual or foreign transaction fee, and 0% intro APR for fifteen months.

The Credit One Platinum Visa seems perfect for folks who want to boost their credit or start over. You don’t have to worry about a security deposit and can enjoy a flexible credit line. There’s an annual fee, but the card fetches you a 1% cashback on eligible purchases.

Are you looking for another credit card to round out your line up? Wondering which of the two—Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Capital One Quicksilver®—will be the one for you?

The Capital One® Venture X® is an unsecured travel rewards credit card that offers an introductory offer of 75,000 bonus miles (equal to $750) and earns you rewards on all purchases, with upward of 10x mileage on certain items.

The Unique Platinum Card is an inviting choice for those with limited credit history or not-so-great credit scores. No credit check with exclusive perks? This card has your back.

Wouldn’t it be nice to get rewarded for spending? While no one’s going to hand you a fancy medal, the Capital One QuicksilverOne could be the next best thing.

Attention travel junkies: Capital One Venture Rewards card, with its rewards program and travel-related benefits, might be your best bet for an action-filled vacay.

Hailed as the ultimate family credit card, the American Express Blue Cash Preferred card offers cashback rewards that are hard to beat. We’re talking a rewards rate of 6% at US supermarkets, 6% on streaming subscriptions, 3% on transit, 3% on gas, and 1% on all other purchases. New cardholders can bag a sizable welcome offer too.

The Revvi Visa® Credit Card is an unsecured credit card that may be able to help you improve your credit. It doesn’t require a security deposit and your account history will be reported to all three credit bureaus.

The Capital One® SavorOne® is an unsecured cash back credit card that offers plenty of cash back rewards for multiple categories, no annual fee, and a possible $200 bonus for qualifying card holders.

Imagine two boxing champions in the ring: Capital One and American Express. Both are strong contenders, but only one can win.

The $695 annual fee isn’t for everyone—but if you’re looking for luxury travel and exclusive rewards, this card might be your perfect match.

Being a small to medium-sized business owner is no walk in the park. With cagey customers and painful price increases, having a business card you can rely on would be nice.

Old is gold or new is glitter—and which one’s the best pick for you?