The term credit can mean many things. For most people, it is the ability to borrow today and pay later. The idea of “credit-worthiness” defines our personal finances, and reaches out to all parts of our financial lives. Credit can be an accounting term. You can talk about credit cards, your credit history, your credit score, or the three credits you got in college for taking Bowling. This page is the credit nerve center of ThinkGlink.com. From this page you can learn more about what credit means and how having good, bad, or mediocre credit affects your personal finances.
Why Do High Credit Scores Matter?
Why do high credit scores matter? High credit scores help determine a person's creditworthiness. Creditors are much more likely to give you a loan or approve your credit card application if you are deemed credit worthy. In addition, if you have a high credit score, you'll get a lower interest rate offer and often a [...]
Managing Your Personal Finances During COVID-19
Managing your personal finances during COVID-19. How those who are struggling can utilize COVID-19 relief programs and prioritize bill payments. The economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic is putting an unprecedented strain on Americans’ finances. Half of those who were laid off due to COVID-19 remain unemployed and most workers who lost wages are still [...]
How Can I Build My Credit If I Have No Credit?
How can I build my credit if I have no credit? This reader wants to know how to go about buying a car and a home with no credit history. Q: I'm in the process of buying my first car (researching, calculating finances) and I wanted to ask what your advice would be as I [...]
VIDEO: How Can You Help Better Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft?
In a 5-part series, Credit 101, Ilyce Glink, an award-winning personal finance columnist and CEO of the financial wellness platform Best Money Moves, details important information you need to know about your credit reports and scores. Create a myEquifax account (at www.myEquifax.com) to receive six free Equifax credit reports every 12 months. Watch [...]
How Can You Help Better Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
How can you help better protect yourself against identity theft? The Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic has presented new opportunities for identity thieves and other bad actors to use the stress of the current environment to their advantage. With no concern for your financial well-being, thieves can use stolen information to run up balances on credit cards or [...]
4 Ways to Prepare for a Recession
4 ways to prepare for a recession. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic points to signs of a global recession and now is the best time to prepare your finances. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused financial stress to go through the roof, with all signs pointing to the start of a deep, prolonged global recession. The [...]
Credit 101: Are All Credit Scores the Same?
One of the most common credit misconceptions is that every individual has a single, unique credit score. However, if you’ve been following past articles in our Credit 101 series, you already know that isn’t the case. What’s the purpose of multiple, different credit scores? And why do credit scores often vary from one source to [...]
VIDEO: How Are Credit Scores Calculated?
In a 5-part series, Credit 101, Ilyce Glink, an award-winning personal finance columnist and CEO of the financial wellness platform Best Money Moves, details important information you need to know about your credit reports and scores. Create a myEquifax account (at www.myEquifax.com) to receive six free Equifax credit reports every 12 months. Watch [...]
Which Debt to Pay First When Improving Personal Finances
Which debt to pay first when improving personal finances. Which debts to pay down first to improve your credit score and start building your savings. Q: I am "getting back on my feet" financially and would like to know how I should continue to improve my personal finances. Is it better to prepay my mortgage, [...]
Credit 101: Ilyce Glink on WGN Radio 2/24/20
As we move into 2020, credit continues to be a buzzword for consumers, but many people are unsure what part credit plays in their personal finances. In a new 5-part series, Credit 101, Ilyce Glink, an award-winning personal finance columnist and CEO of the financial wellness platform Best Money Moves, details important information you need [...]