Perfect credit, or even really good credit, opens doors for American consumers. Better interest rates on loans. Better odds of renting an apartment or landing a job. Lower insurance premiums. But how ...

A student credit card, when used responsibly, can help you establish a credit history, build your credit score and develop healthy spending habits. Use a student credit card for affordable, ...

When you make a purchase with your debit card, it’s possible to pay as “credit.” Paying as credit affects the way the transaction is processed, but the payment funds are still taken from your bank ...

Beverly is a writer, editor, and paralegal specializing in personal finance and tax law. She covers personal financial and legal topics, as well as tax breaks, tax preparation software, and tax law ...

Whenever we discuss the benefits of using credit cards, we typically caveat it with the most important rule: pay your credit card bill on time and in full every month. Paying on time prevents late ...

Having no or minimal credit history means you don’t have a credit score at all. This is different from having a low credit score, which can stem from having negative information on your credit reports ...

Getting a credit card as a student can help you build your credit score, earn rewards and establish good money habits — if you use your card responsibly. This means sticking to your budget and paying ...