Credit Cards 101 Archives - Deere Employees Credit Union

This year has brought a tough economic climate, including high inflation and a less stable employment market. Despite higher prices on everything from flying to buying snacks, many people still want to travel in possible record numbers this holiday season. Just because you want to go home for the holidays doesn’t mean you have to break […]

Many people make financial decisions that they believe will lead to a stronger overall credit profile for themselves without fully understanding the impact of those decisions. Unfortunately, a lot of these decisions are mistakes that end up hurting their overall credit and prevent them from being able to borrow money or get lower interest rates […]

The Holiday Industrial Shopping Complex Annual surveys of more than 1,000-holiday shoppers regularly show that, on average, holiday purchases add as much as $1,381 in debt to individual credit cards in the three months leading up to the arrival of the holiday. This is a sum that most people say they can’t possibly pay down […]

The Fair Isaac Corporation Lending money is a risky business for moneylenders. But risk is also the cost of doing business. To hedge bets in deciding whether to issue a loan, the FICO Credit Score was adopted nationwide in 1989 as the standard gauge for a potential debtor’s creditworthiness. In the days before credit scoring, […]

Consolidation is a word you have probably heard before, but what does it mean and how can it help you? There are a few basic ways that consolidation works. Each case is different and finding an individual solution for our DECU members can depend on the member, their income, credit score, and their available equity. [...]

A FICO credit score is built upon several different categories. By knowing what a FICO score is, you can best figure out how to build your credit score quickly. One quick method involves someone with an established credit line being willing to authorize a new-to-credit person be added to already-established credit cards. If this simple […]

As a recent college graduate, I’ve learned countless ways to save and manage my money over the four years. For most, college is a great learning experience where students have very little income and lots of expenses all while having to build their financial foundation. There is no better time to practice good money habits than during this exciting and formative period in life.

We all know a credit score is essential when it comes to applying for a credit card, an auto loan, or a mortgage. When a company or a lender checks your credit report, they may be getting it from one or more of the three major agencies – Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. In addition to […]

Whether you’re jetting off to your next vacation during the holidays or if you’re planning for a trip, using your credit card’s incredible travel benefits can actually save you a lot of money. DECU’s Visa® Signature Credit Card offers you a premium card experience. The money saving benefits our Visa card provides can certainly make [...]

Opening a store credit card can provide many perks and discounts that could save you money immediately. However, in the long run, it can also be a source of stress and a damper on your credit scores. Whenever you find yourself asking, “Should I open a store credit card?”, remember to also ask yourself these […]

Credit Cards 101

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