by Claudia Mott | Jan 15, 2021 | Credit Score, Debt Management, FICO Score
Q. How is the income-to-debt ratio figured? When I make a large purchase with a credit card, I sometimes pay it in two payments, one right away and the second by the end of the billing cycle. Does the mid-cycle payment reduce the ratio for the month? Does it improve... 
by Claudia Mott | Mar 19, 2020 | credit card debt
Q. My dad passed away almost two years ago. We have been paying $10 a month on his credit card. My mom is on a fixed income. Is she responsible for the debt? The credit card company is saying we have to pay even though my mom never signed when my dad got this card. —... 
by Claudia Mott | Jun 27, 2019 | Credit Score
Q. My mortgage is almost paid off, I have a $10,000 car loan and a small amount of debt on a credit card. My credit score is 830. How will the mortgage payoff affect my score? I’m also thinking of taking a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Should I do that before or... 
by Claudia Mott | May 23, 2019 | Collections, Credit Report, Credit Score
Q. I lost my job a few years ago and could not keep up with all my bills. I defaulted on some credit cards, but paid the mortgage, car loan, utilities and so forth on a regular basis when I got my disability approved. Some bills went into collections. The original... 
by Claudia Mott | May 14, 2019 | Credit Score
Q. I have a credit score of 800 and my four credit cards have close to zero balances. Is it better to charge something small on each credit card during the month and then pay it off when the bill comes? Or is it better to just use one credit card so I can keep a zero... 
by Claudia Mott | May 7, 2019 | credit card debt, Credit Score, debt repayment
Q. I can’t get my credit score over 560 to save my neck. I had a stroke and was forced to retire and my finances are a mess. I try to pay a little to everybody. I try to pay on time but I have problems with medical bills and other loans. I also think I have a...