Credit Basics

Stands for annual percentage rate. It’s what you’re charged for borrowing money. Like for a credit card or mortgage. Play it like golf: aim low.

When you shift your debt from one card to another, usually to get a lower interest rate. Maybe even no interest rate. But there are some rules, so read the fine print.

When you go to court to legally divorce your debt. It’s not always a clean break: the details can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years. And you could have to sell your home or car to pay back your lenders.

When your debit and credit cards pull a Freaky Friday, and you use your credit card to pull cash out of an ATM. But this withdrawal has to be paid back...and then some. With interest and fees.

The one where your lender starts to develop trust issues, gives up on chasing you down for payments, and reports your debt as a loss. This does not look good on your credit report.

Not a regular card, but a cool card. The kind without a spending limit or interest rate. Because you have to pay your balance in full…every single month. Good for people who like rewards and have a great credit score.

A place you don’t want to go. After not making a debt payment for a certain amount of time, your lender may ask another agency to step in and make you pay. Go-to tactics include calling a lot and mailing ‘pay now’ letters.

Interest that’s added to money that’s already gained interest. It keeps your balance growing and growing. Your best friend when you’re saving and investing and your worst enemy when you’re racking up debt.

A company that stalks your credit history, translates it into your credit score and credit report, then sells it to banks and lenders. The three big ones: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. 

When you put your credit on ice to block new lenders from seeing your credit report. Making it harder for identity thieves to open an account in your name. Cold, but safe.

How much you can spend before you max out your credit card or loan. Based on things like your income, how much debt you already have, and your track record with credit.

Basically your resume for landing a loan. It includes info like how much debt you have, if you’ve ever filed for bankruptcy, and whether you pay your bills on time.

An important number that helps banks and credit unions decide whether you’re good lending material. And how much interest they’ll charge you. The higher, the better.

The sum of your balances compared to the sum of your credit limits. Psst...lenders like it when you go low.

The penalty box for borrowers who are late on a debt payment. Lenders may punish you with extra fees. And the evidence can stay on the record for years.

A federal law that gives credit bureaus some important ground rules: to keep your personal info private and tell the truth about your credit history.

The popular kid of credit scores. Aka what lenders look at to determine whether you’re likely to ghost them on payments. Ranges from 300 to 850. Anything above 750 is star status.

A red flag you can wave when you think something shady (*cough* identity theft) may be going on. It tells lenders looking at your credit report to go the extra mile to verify you are who you say you are before approving new credit.

Also known as a “hard pull.” This happens when you apply for a loan or a new line of credit. Try not to overdo it. Too many hard pulls can hurt your credit score.

A person, bank, credit union or other financial institution you borrow money from...with strings attached. In the form of interest and fees.

The least you can get away with paying on your credit card or loan each month without getting a late fee.

A higher interest rate your lender can charge you for doing something bad. Like paying late or spending over your credit limit. Nice lenders usually let you get back to your regularly scheduled rate after you pay on time for six months.

A card you preload with money. So you’re not actually borrowing, but spending money you already have. Like a gift card you can use (almost) anywhere.

Any accounts you can keep borrowing from – then repaying – over and over. Like credit cards and home equity lines of credit. Hi, debt merry-go-round.

A fan-fav credit card that gives you a little something extra (like cash back or airline miles) when you use it.

Looks like a regular credit card and acts like a regular credit card. But requires a cash security deposit unlike a regular credit card. Typically for people who’ve had a rocky relationship with credit in the past.

An agreement that you’ll pay a percentage of your debt because you can’t afford to pay it all. Not ideal. But it helps avoid bankruptcy, which hurts your credit score even more.

A credit check that won’t hurt your credit score and isn’t connected to an application for new credit. Think: background checks or credit card pre-approvals.

Basically FICO’s younger brother. It’s another credit scoring model that grades you from 300-850, but isn’t as widely used by lenders.