Credit 101 course

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Foundations

What the score is, where the information comes from, and what to do if you have no score at all.

1. 1What a credit score actually is3 min
2. 2Your credit report, and how to read it free4 min
3. 3The three bureaus and who reports to them3 min
4. 4If you have no score at all3 min

The five things that move your score

Payment history, utilization, age, mix, and new credit: what each one is worth and how to control it.

1. 5Payment history (35%)3 min
2. 6Utilization: the 30% rule3 min
3. 7Length of history (15%)2 min
4. 8Credit mix (10%)2 min
5. 9New credit and hard inquiries (10%)3 min

Building credit from zero

The specific products that work when no one will approve you yet, and a six-month plan.

1. 10Secured credit cards4 min
2. 11Credit-builder loans3 min
3. 12Authorized user, and rent that counts3 min
4. 13Your first six months, step by step4 min

Protecting what you build

Late payments, collections, medical debt, disputes, and freezing your credit for free.

1. 14The 30-day rule on late payments3 min
2. 15Collections, and calling first4 min
3. 16Medical debt is treated differently3 min
4. 17Disputing an error, free4 min
5. 18Freeze your credit3 min

Using credit without getting trapped

Interest, minimum payments, scams, and the places a score quietly matters.

1. 19Interest and the grace period3 min
2. 20Why minimum payments never end3 min
3. 21Credit repair scams and co-signing3 min
4. 22Where your score quietly matters3 min