Personal Finance Articles

Tradelines: What They Are and How They Affect Your Credit

Learn what a tradeline is, what each account on your credit report shows, how tradelines affect your score, and what to check before you buy one.

What Is the 50/30/20 Rule and How Does It Work?

Learn how the 50/30/20 rule splits your income into needs, wants, and savings, where debt payments fit, and what to do when the numbers don't work.

Goodwill Letter: How to Write One to Remove a Late Payment

Write a goodwill letter to ask a creditor to remove a late payment: when to send one, the steps, a template to copy, the odds, and what to do after a no.

How Long Do Late Payments Stay on Your Credit Report?

See how long a late payment stays on your credit report, how its effect on your score changes, and whether you can get it removed faster.

Needs vs. Wants: How to Tell the Difference in Your Budget

Learn the difference between needs and wants, see common examples, find where debt payments fit, and sort your expenses into a solid budget.

Bank Levy: What It Can Take and How to Get It Released

Bank account levied? Find out how much a bank levy can take, which money is protected, and the steps to get your funds released.

Fixed vs. Variable Expenses: What's the Difference?

Learn about fixed, variable, and discretionary expenses, where groceries and debt payments fit, and how to budget for them when money is tight.

Bank Fees: What Banks Charge and How to Handle Them

See common bank fees, how to avoid them, and how to avoid paying a monthly maintenance fee on a checking account.

Pay Yourself First: How It Works When You Have Debt

Learn what pay yourself first means, how to set it up step by step, and whether to save or pay down debt first when you carry a balance.

Do Student Loans Affect Your Credit Score?

Learn how student loans show on your credit report, what late payments and default do to your score, how long each mark lasts, and what to do next.

800 Credit Score: What It Means and How to Get One

Find out where an 800 credit score sits in the ranges, how rare it is, what it can get you when you borrow, and the steps to reach and keep one.

What Is Online Banking? How It Works and How to Use It Safely

Learn what online banking is, how it differs from mobile and digital banking, how to keep your account safe, and how to pay bills and debts online.

What Is a Sinking Fund? How Sinking Funds Work

Learn what a sinking fund is, how to work out the monthly amount, which categories to save for, and what to do when money is tight or you carry debt.

VantageScore vs. FICO

Learn what VantageScore is, how it differs from FICO, why a free app's score may not match a lender's, and which lenders use VantageScore.

How to Read a Credit Report: What It Is and What Each Section Shows

Learn what a credit report is and how to read yours section by section, from personal details and account lines to inquiries, negative items and errors.

How to Rebuild Credit

Learn how to rebuild credit after late payments, collections, a charge-off, settlement, or bankruptcy: steps that may work, and what to skip.

What Is an ACH Payment? How It Works and How to Stop One

Learn what an ACH payment is, how ACH credits and debits move money, how long a transfer takes, and how to stop or dispute a debit you did not expect.

The 3 Credit Bureaus: What They Do and How to Reach Them

Learn who the 3 credit bureaus are, what each one does, why your three credit reports can differ, and how to contact each bureau directly.

Joint Checking Account: How It Works and What You Take On

Learn how a joint checking account works, who can open one, what a creditor can take when one owner has debt, and how to remove an owner or close it.

FICO Score vs Credit Score: Which Number Do Lenders Use?

Is a FICO score the same as a credit score? Learn how they differ, why you have more than one score, and which one lenders check before you apply.

How Long Does It Take to Build Credit?

Find out how long it takes to get a first credit score, reach good credit, or rebuild after late payments and collections, and how to speed it up.

Second Chance Banking: How to Get a Bank Account After a Denial

Turned down for a checking account? Learn how second chance banking and second chance checking work, what to do if you owe a bank money, and how to move up.

What Is Overdraft Protection and Should You Turn It On?

Learn what overdraft protection is, how it works, what it can cost you, and how to decide whether to turn it on or off for your checking account.

ChexSystems Report: How to Get It, Dispute It, and Freeze It

Turned down for a bank account? Find out how to get your ChexSystems report, dispute what's wrong, learn how long a record stays, and freeze your file.

How to Budget: Create a Budget You Can Stick to

Learn how to budget step by step: add up your income, sort your expenses, pick a method, and fix a budget that comes up short.

Tax Consequences of Debt Settlement: Do You Owe the IRS Money?

Settling debt can trigger a tax bill on the forgiven amount. Learn when it applies, how to calculate it, and how insolvency could reduce what you owe.

Credit Letter of Deletion

Credit Letter of Deletion | Use a credit letter of deletion to remove inaccurate information from your credit reports. Make sure that you start by...

Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps for Financial Success

Get on the right path financially with Dave Ramsey’s 7 baby steps. It's the best way to follow the Dave Ramsey Financial Plan.

Medical Debts Incurred by Minor

State law sets whether minors have liability for medical debts they incur. How a state views the doctrine of necessities may offer a clue...

CROA- Your Credit Repair Rights

The Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) gives consumers the right to study a credit repair contract for 3 days and cancel it. CROA also requires credit...

Listing of IRS Notices for Individuals

If you receive an IRS notice, be sure you understand it. Review the different kinds of notices, what they mean, and how to respond to them. Make sure...

Credit Score to Buy a Car

What is the minimum credit score to buy a car? For most consumers, it’s 660. However, there are many auto loans for people with lower credit scores.

Credit Score to Buy a House

What is the minimum credit score to buy a house? It depends on the program – conventional, FHA, or VA – and your down payment.

All About Credit

Credit is the ability to borrow money now and repay it later. Credit reports show lenders how you have repaid debts in the past. Credit scores reflect your...

Lexington Law Firm

Lexington Law provides credit repair services through a network of credit correction attorneys. Read a review of Lexington Law from Bills.com

Trinity Credit Services

Trinity Credit Services specializes in credit repair and credit restoration that offers a free credit report consultation.

Wells Fargo Bank Review

Review of Wells Fargo bank and policies

Emergency Fund Calculator

Use the Bills.com Emergency Fund Calculator to find out how much you need to save to protect yourself in case of unexpected events. Calculate the amount...

Creating a College Financing Plan

Creating a financial plan for college has never been more important, as the already expensive costs rise. Use these tips from someone who'll graduate debt free.

Find and Win College Scholarships

Be strategic about applying for college scholarhsips. Learn from Emily Merrill who won over $11,000 in 2019 inindependent scholarships, on top of her academic

Financial Lesssons from College

Two key financial lessons I learned from my first year at college are: Keep better track of my spending and be more disciplined in building savings. This year,

Calculate Your Net Worth

Net Worth Calculator | Your net worth is calculated by adding up your assets and subtracting your debts and liabilities. Track your wealth and improve your...

Check Your Savings Balances

Savings Balance Calculator | Are you saving enough? Check your savings balances and track them. Your savings balances help you meet emergencies and build...

Budget Calculator

Bills.com's Budget Calculator helps you get your spending on the right track. Knowing how you spend your money lets you get on top of your financial plan by ...

Credit Card Spending

If you use credit card spending to pay for basic living expenses, you can end up in heavy debt. Learn what steps to take to solve a credit card spending problem

Are You Saving Enough for Retirement?

Are you saving enough for a secure retirement? Don't put off planning and building the kind of retirement savings that will support a lifestyle you want to

How to Improve Credit

There are a number of benefits to improving your credit. You can save money whenever you borrow if you improve your score and then maintain

Compounded Interest Calculator

Bills.com compound interest calculator shows you how you can boost your savings. Set your savings goals and then check how compound interest works by setting...

Budgeting and Job Loss

Coping with a job loss is stressful, and many households feel that they might have a drop in income. Learn about concrete steps you can take to deal with...

Making a Financial Plan

Making a financial plan is smart, if you take account of where you're starting and can measure the effectiveness of the steps as you put your plan in place.