Tinoka asked:

What are things that can lower your credit score? I heard that if you go shop of cars or furnitures and the stores check your credit that can lower your credit score. Is this true? How many credits are taken off per each credit check? What about cosigning for someone with bad credit? Can that lower my credit score?

Sara asked:

I received a letter in the mail from Juniper (iTunes Rewards) stating that they have closed my credit card account due to inactivity. I opened the account about 18 months ago and have never actually used it. Can they close my account just like that without any warning? How should I handle the situation? (Is there anything I can even do?)

Also, I know that closing credit card accounts lowers your credit score. Does anyone know how much mine will be affected?

USuck79 asked:

I have a very low credit score with old delinquent accounts. I have heard paying off old accounts is pointless, and will not improve your score. Is there any way to fix credit on your own with out the use of a lawyer etc.

mkstar214 asked:

I have paid for alllllll of my old collection accounts and I’m just waiting for them to drop off of my credit reports. I’ve been looking into credit repair service on line and wondering if they can actually help. All of the items on my reports are actually MINE and I did actually owe them, but they are all FINALLY paid off. Is there any hope to get them removed quickly?

wrightemail256 asked:

Can I start building my credit by paying for things with my bank card and telling them to charge it on credit? (I do not know much about how to build my credit so please help me!)
Question: Best credit card to get to starting building credit and can I build my credit by using my bank card and telling them to charge it on credit instead of debit?

Mike D! asked:

I will probably need to replace my car soon, but I don’t know that I want a traditional car loan because it would require having more insurance, and thus be rather expensive for me. (It’d be about double for me, as I don’t have a spotless driving record). I was wondering if instead I could get a personal loan from the bank, say in the neighborhood of $3-5K and use that for a car thus saving me a bunch of money by not needing collision coverage if I could pay for the car in cash.

Now the questions … is this possible, or is there usually some stipulation that you can’t use a personal loan for a car? What sort of collateral do you usually need for a personal loan? If you have good credit, can you get one w/out collateral? Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

MSB asked:

I know that applying for a new card will reduce my FICO, and that increasing credit limits (while keeping debt amounts constant) will increase my score – but this would not be the case if requesting the increase in credit limit is treated as a new credit card application?

Des-n-Jes asked:

I currently have 3 credit cards. I just got approved for another and it is in the mail on it’s way. I paid off the one with the lowest credit limit, and was thinking about cancelling it and just keeping the other three.

I have been working on building my credit for a long time, and it has been very difficult. Will cancelling this card hurt my score? Or will having too much available credit hurt it? Which is worse? What should I do to keep working on getting my credit score higher?
To sum it up, is it worse that I cancel the one card, or is it worse that I may have too many cards? I also have a loan on my car and loan with American General. They are always paid on time.

radioactive_babywipes asked:

I’ve heard that once you pay off a credit card you shouldn’t close the account to keep a good credit score. I’ve also heard that even though one pays off his credit card reducing the credit limit is also not a good option for keeping a great credit rating. What is the best way to handle this situation if you don’t really want the card around to prevent you from running the balance up, but also don’t want to hurt your credit rating. Is there any way to find out what exactly affects one’s credit score?

Examples: Let’s just say a website or book states something like filing for bankruptcy subtracts XXXX amount of points from your credit rating. Defaulting on credit card payments for XXX amount of months subtracts XXX amount of points from your credit rating. Paying off federal student loans adds or subtracts XXXX amount of points from your credit rating. Also is there anywhere that states how long certain things stay on your credit report?

chaos_magician13 asked:

I recently turned 18 and im in a great living situation. i live with my dad, make about 1000 a month and im a musician. I wanted to buy a new bass and amp, but more importantly need to start my credit. I already have the money to buy the bass today, but i wanna see if i can start my credit with this purchase.The stores i went to say i need at least a 700 score to apply for their credit.
Is there any credit i can apply for, without having to pay financing and apr and so on without having credit to begin with. My plan is to buy the bass with credit, pay it off right away, and probably cancel the card right after.