Resources

CIt’s never pleasant to think about this, but a natural disaster can strike at any time. Think about it: in 2025, FEMA declared 115 disasters, including the Los Angeles wildfires and the Texas flash floods.   From hurricanes to earthquakes, we often put off thinking about these events until we’re in imminent danger. But when a […]

The NFCC often receives questions from readers about their money challenges. We answer common questions in our Ask an Expert series to help readers find the information they need. Question: What steps should I take to prepare as a first-time homebuyer? Answer: Dear Reader, The prospect of becoming a homeowner is very exciting. It’s also […]

Over the last few decades, the convenience of credit cards has made them a popular alternative to cash. But what you may not realize about credit cards is that using them means taking on debt with ultra-high interest rates. For example, in late 2025, the average credit card APR was a jaw-dropping 21.39%. By comparison, […]

Did you know the average student loan payment is over $530 a month? At that amount, it’s no wonder borrowers are struggling to pay back their student debt. In fact, about 42% of student loan borrowers report that covering their loan payments makes it difficult to cover basic household needs. If you’re in the process […]

The NFCC often receives questions from readers about their money challenges. We answer common questions in our Ask an Expert series to help readers find the information they need. Question: What’s a good credit score?*  Answer: Dear Reader, Defining good credit can be challenging, since there’s no set number that qualifies as a “good” credit […]

Do your credit scores drop when you pull your own credit reports? Unfortunately, many people are confused about this topic. But the truth is, pulling your own credit reports doesn’t hurt your credit scores at all. In fact, pulling your own credit information, which is considered a “soft pull” or a “soft inquiry,” is an […]

If you’re a homeowner who’s nearing retirement or already retired, you might be facing a common problem: your home is valuable but your income is limited. With a reverse mortgage, you can potentially solve that problem. Reverse mortgages let you cash out some of the value of your home (also known as equity) and repay […]

The NFCC often receives questions from readers about their money challenges. We answer common questions in our Ask an Expert series to help readers find the information they need. Question: I cosigned a car loan for a vehicle that was inoperable and ended up being repossessed. What do I need to do now? Answer: Dear […]

The NFCC often receives questions from readers about their money challenges. We answer common questions in our Ask an Expert series to help readers find the information they need. Question: My credit score is very low because of medical bills. I also own three homes and I make my mortgage payments on time. I’ve been […]

The NFCC often receives questions from readers about their money challenges. We answer common questions in our Ask an Expert series to help readers find the information they need. Question: I recently opened a couple of department store credit cards and noticed a drop in my credit score. Why did this happen and how can […]