Secured Card Tracker: Track credit-building milestones from a secured card over 12 months
Secured Card Tracker: Track credit-building milestones from a secured card over 12 months A secured credit card is one of the most effective tools for rebuilding or establishing credit, especially for consumers looking to improve their Middle Credit Score®. However, its power lies not just in opening the account—but in how you manage it over […]
Minimum Payment Interest Estimator: Understand how long you’ll stay in debt paying only the minimum
Minimum Payment Interest Estimator: Understand how long you’ll stay in debt paying only the minimum Paying only the minimum on your credit card may keep your account in good standing—but it comes with a hidden cost that can trap consumers in debt for years. The Minimum Payment Interest Estimator shows you exactly how long it […]
Card Limit vs. Spend Simulator: Test how increasing or decreasing usage affects your Middle Credit Score®
Card Limit vs. Spend Simulator: Test how increasing or decreasing usage affects your Middle Credit Score® Understanding the relationship between your credit card limits, spending habits, and credit utilization is essential to managing and improving your Middle Credit Score®. The Card Limit vs. Spend Simulator is designed to help you visualize how changes to your […]
Debt Avalanche Planner: Strategically prioritize high-interest cards to save more and improve score
Debt Avalanche Planner: Strategically Prioritize High-Interest Cards to Save More and Improve Score The Debt Avalanche Method is a powerful strategy for paying off debt that helps consumers save the most money in the shortest time by targeting high-interest balances first. Unlike the Debt Snowball Method, which focuses on paying off the smallest balance for […]
Payment Timing Tracker: Plan optimal dates to pay before reporting deadlines
Payment Timing Tracker: Plan optimal dates to pay before reporting deadlines One of the most overlooked credit score strategies is payment timing—specifically, when you pay your credit card balance in relation to your statement closing date. Many consumers assume paying by the due date is all that matters, but credit scoring models prioritize the balance […]
Credit Utilization Calculator: See how balance-to-limit ratios impact your score
Credit Utilization Calculator: See how balance-to-limit ratios impact your score Understanding credit utilization is key to improving your Middle Credit Score®. This calculator helps you visualize how your balance-to-limit ratios can affect your score, and how small adjustments can create meaningful changes in your credit profile. Why Utilization Matters Credit utilization makes up approximately 30% […]
Case Study: How One Consumer Used a Secured Card to Rebuild Their Credit in 6 Months
Case Study: How One Consumer Used a Secured Card to Rebuild Their Credit in 6 Months Secured credit cards are often overlooked or misunderstood, yet they remain one of the most powerful tools for rebuilding credit after financial setbacks. Unlike traditional credit cards, secured cards require a cash deposit that acts as your credit limit, […]
Case Study: Managing Five Credit Cards and Still Raising Your Middle Credit Score®
Case Study: Managing Five Credit Cards and Still Raising Your Middle Credit Score® Conventional wisdom suggests that fewer credit cards mean better credit management. But in today’s credit environment, the number of cards isn’t nearly as important as how you manage them. In this case study, we follow Anthony, a 41-year-old IT specialist who juggled […]
Case Study: From Maxed Out to Mortgage-Ready—The Credit Card Paydown That Worked
Case Study: From Maxed Out to Mortgage-Ready—The Credit Card Paydown That Worked For many would-be homeowners, credit card debt can be the single biggest obstacle standing between them and mortgage approval. Even those with steady incomes and solid payment histories can find themselves penalized by high credit utilization, which can suppress their credit scores and […]
Case Study: How a Balance Transfer Helped Cut Interest and Raise Credit Score
Case Study: How a Balance Transfer Helped Cut Interest and Raise Credit Score Many consumers fall into the trap of high-interest credit card debt, unaware of how quickly balances can grow—and how damaging that debt can be to their credit score. Monthly minimum payments barely chip away at the balance, and as interest compounds, borrowers […]