How to build credit from scratch
Ways to start a credit history with no credit: secured cards, credit-builder loans, store cards and the habits that raise your score over time.
Credit
How your credit history is built and evaluated in the U.S., what your credit reports contain and how to fix errors.
If you are just starting
All credit guides (4)
How to get your free credit report, check it and dispute errors
Where to get free credit reports in the U.S., what to check line by line, and how to dispute an error with the credit bureau and the company that reported it.
What affects your credit score, and how to improve it
The five factors in the FICO score, how much each one weighs, what is not part of your score, and the habits that raise it over time.
What is credit utilization and how does it affect your score?
Credit utilization compares what you owe on credit cards with your limits. Learn how to calculate it per card and overall, why it matters and how to lower it.