Credit Card and Saving Money | Financial Management Tips

You have long known the credit card. It is said to be your ultimate gear when you go shopping. The plastic can even be a best friend to a happy shopper.

Considering the times nowadays, this plastic seems to be the least practical option out there. It is actually the most convenient tool used for consumption when you are out of cash. It lures you to spend.

Is there anyway for your credit card to be useful for your saving endeavors?

Yes, actually there are ways that the plastic can be helpful. You CAN actually save money with that credit card.

0% Balance Transfers
If your present credit card has high interests, you can transfer your balance to one with a low-interest or no-interest at all. It can offer you a 0% interest for a certain period and then a lower regular rate later on. A 19% interest rate can be transferred to one with 16.1%. The 2.9% difference means a lot, especially in the long run.

Lower Interest Rates
Look for one with the lowest rate among others to further maximize having a credit card. This definitely spells savings. If you do not have a balance yet, it is best to look for a card without annual fees.

Take extra precautions, too, in assuming that the lowest interest rate is the best for you. Factor in your buying habits. You may be attracted to the low rates, but the end result may not be desirable if combined with the annual fees and the like.

Rewards Program
Reward points system and cash back programs are offered now. This can save you money. Maintaining a low balance despite your frequent buys will give you at most 5% off on purchases.

There are even cash rebates up to 5% when you use the credit card at certain gas stations, convenience stores and groceries. This can be automatically applied to your bill, the more you can feel the savings you are making.

Maximizing the Experience
To reap the rewards, you must avoid the drawbacks. A prudent person will definitely look for the best deals and grab it right away but with some caution.

Thus it is necessary that you read the details. Check the fees that may be charged and the penalty rates in case you delay. This may be the downside of the deal offered to you. For example, be careful of cash advance features of credit cards. Some of them can be very expensive. They can come with numerous fees and higher rates.

Be wary! Spending cannot be avoided at times. Just don’t forget your goal, getting a good deal to save.You have long known the credit card. It is said to be your ultimate gear when you go shopping[...]

How to Save Money and Avoid Temptations

Saving money and financial management is very crucial in one's life. Money is very important in order to survive in this world but only a few people know how to manage their household budget properly. Many people have a hard time saving money even if it is for their own good.

Most of the time, you may be motivated to save money but there are times when temptations come your way and before you know it, you have already spent the amount that was supposed to be added to your savings account. Here are some helpful tips on how you can avoid temptations and be able to save money:

1. Try hard to avoid those things that keep you from saving. If you are fond of buying shoes even if you don't really need them, try very hard to stay away from them. Keep yourself away from shoe stores so that you will not be tempted to buy one.

2. When going to grocery stores. Always bring the exact amount and bring with you a grocery list. If you have limited money in your pocket when in grocery stores, you will be forced to buy only those important things that you need. Preparing a grocery list will also help you get organized and will help you in deciding the things that need to be prioritized.

3. Go to the malls only when needed. Do not go shopping if you do not need anything important to buy. Window-shopping will only tempt you to buy the dress you saw in the boutique even if you don't really need it.

4. Do not bring with you your credit cards all the time. Having a credit card in your pocket will only tempt you to buy things that are not necessary. This will also help you lower your balances and have a good credit score.

5. You may want to save money in the bank or invest in time deposits. You will not be tempted to get money from the bank every time you need cash, if they are placed in a time deposit account.

6. You may also want to consider consulting a financial advisor. There are a lot of programs that offer these services for free. They may be able to help you and give you advice on how you can avoid temptations and save more money.Saving money and financial management is very crucial in one's life[...]

Choosing Your Credit Card | Finding Best Credit Card Company

As you probably already know, there are many credit cards out there. The one you choose however, should reflect your lifestyle and your ideal spending amounts. If you are looking for the best possible deal and the best company for your credit card, you’ll obviously need to look around at what you have to choose from and what works best for you.

The first thing you’ll need to decide when choosing your credit card, is why you need one in the first place. Some people choose to get a credit card for cash flow purposes. With a credit card, you can make purchases and buy things, leaving your paycheck or other source of income in your bank account to draw interest. This way, your money will continue to grow while you continue to buy the things you need. Then at the end of the month, simply pay your bill.

Others will choose to get a credit card and use it for instant cash purposes. This way, they can use their credit card at an ATM and get instant cash, which is great for travel or going on a long and extended vacation. If this is why you want a credit card, you should look for one that has the lowest rate possible for instant cash transactions.

With a credit card, you’ll also need to think about the payments. You’ll need to decide if you want to pay the balance in full each month, or only the required amount. When you select your credit card, you should look at the introductory rates, balance transfer rates, and other offers that may apply to new credit cards and new holders. Some will offer you truly amazing deals, especially if you have good credit.

Another important area to look at when choosing your credit card is the incentives. There are several cards out there that will give you incentives, such as reward points and even cash back with purchases that you can use towards paying back what you owe. There are several incentives out there with credit cards, all you have to do is look around and compare.

The key area you’ll need to look at and compare is the APR (Annual Percentage Rate). The APR is what you will pay on what you purchase when the incentive period runs out. APR rates will vary among credit cards, so it is always in your best interest to compare and shop around. The lower APR rate you get, the better off you’ll be.

Another concern with choosing your credit card is the minimum payment amount. Most minimum payment balances will start around 3%, although some can be lower while others tend to be quite a bit higher. The interest free period is a concern as well, as you will obviously want to choose the longest period that you can keep the payments down.

When you make that final decision and choose your credit card, you should always make sure that you know exactly what you are getting. Credit cards are great to have, although they can lead to a downfall if you don’t choose them carefully. If you put some time and research into choosing your credit card, you’ll find the best one for you. As long as you take care of your credit card and pay the bill on time, you’ll help raise your credit and eventually be able to purchase even bigger things - such as a car or even a house.As you probably already know, there are many credit cards out there[...]

Tips to Getting A Higher Limit On Your Credit Card | Tips Credit Card

Nearly everyone who has a credit card always has the goal of a higher line of credit. A higher credit card limit will enable you to make much higher purchases, normally purchases that you are unable to get with your current line of credit. There are ways that you can get a higher credit limit. Below, are some tips that will help you raise the limit of your credit.

The most important thing to do when improving your credit limit is to improve your overall level of credit worthiness. This tells banks and lenders that you can be trusted with credit, and that you are little to no risk for them. When lenders and banks look at your credit report, this is the first thing that they look for.

You can attract a lot of positive attention with a credit card company or bank with your finance purchases. You should pay them every once in a while, although you shouldn’t go out of your way to make a habit of it. Normally, this should be done as a last resort when all else fails to increase your overall chances of raising your line of credit.

Once you prove to a bank or credit card company that you can be trusted to borrow money, they may raise your line of credit. You should be careful with this strategy however, as this could only apply to your bank or current credit card company. Having a higher credit line may allow you to have more purchasing power, although it can also leave you with more fees and even an increase in your current interest and APR charges.

Another great way to increase your credit limit is to use your credit card every chance you get. When you have a credit card, don’t use it just for emergency purposes. If you save your credit card for emergency purposes only, you’ll rarely use it. When this happens, your company will begin to wonder about your spending behavior and ability to pay it back, therefore they will start to think twice about giving you a higher line of credit.

When you send in your payment, always try to pay more than just the minimum amount. If you can afford to, you should try to pay the whole outstanding amount. Doing so shows credit card companies and banks that you are striving for better credit. This way, you’ll show them that you deserve to have a higher line of credit.

If you follow the above tips, you’ll get your credit limit higher in no time at all. Once you get your limit raised, you should protect it at all costs. If you continue to strive for perfection - you’ll get a higher line of credit than you ever thought possible.Nearly everyone who has a credit card always has the goal of a higher line of credit[...]

Protecting Your Personal Information | Credit Card Personal Information

We all know that criminals are out there, waiting to steal our credit card information. These very criminals want credit card information so they can run up the charges then leave you holding the bags - with nothing to show for it. Even though some are local, most credit card criminals are in far away lands. Worse than that, they like to hide or go by other names so it’s virtually impossible to track them down.

The most common way for criminals to get credit card information is through phishing, which involves a fake email that appears to be sent from your credit card company. Normally, this fake email states that there was an error with your account, or that it was accessed by unauthorized personnel and needs your attention.

Spotting fake emails isn’t hard to do - as long as you know what to look for. The most obvious hint for most, is the fact that they don’t even have a credit card from the company that has sent the email. For others, the link is what gives the fake email away. Anytime you get an email from a credit card that you believe to be fake, you should always hover your mouse over the link, then “right click” the link with the mouse and select “view source”. If the link is indeed fake, the website address that comes up will be something other than that of a credit card company.

The criminals don’t want you to look at the source for their website, as they simply want you to click on the link before you look at anything else. Once you have clicked on the link, you’ll arrive at a website that is usually an exact copy of a credit card website. Fake sites normally include everything that the actual site does, including the logos and banners. Even for the most amateur of credit card criminals, web pages like this are very easy to create.

Those of you who have fell victim to this scam, probably realized what you have done little too late. Once you have entered in your credit card information, you have done exactly what the criminals wanted and put yourself in violation of credit card fraud and identity theft. Once the criminal has your social security number and credit card information, he is more than likely to use that information to go on a shopping spree - stealing your money and running up your account.

If you receive an email such as this, you should always delete it. Even if you just click on the fake website to investigate, you may do more harm than good. Even though you may not enter any information at all, your computer may get infected with viruses or spyware simply because you clicked on the link. To avoid this altogether, you should never click on a link that you believe to be a fake credit card company website.

If you do your part and protect your credit card information, you won’t have anything at all to worry about. Your personal information is very important, as you never want it to fall in the wrong hands. As long as you protect it, you won’t have anything to worry about. There are always criminals out there, which is why you should always be on guard. Criminals want your personal information and your credit card numbers - it’s up to you to ensure that they don’t get it. A criminal will do anything to get what they want, which is why protecting yourself is so very important these days.We all know that criminals are out there, waiting to steal our credit card information[...]

Small Business Credit Cards | Credit Card

In today’s economy, small businesses play an important role. These days, it is easier than it ever has been to start a new small business. There are all kinds of new businesses popping up all over the United States, from department stores to gas stations. With new businesses on the rise, the owners should be looking into small business credit cards - for numerous reasons.

The best reason to get a small business credit card is for separating your personal finances from any business related finances. Once you have a small business credit card, you can start making all of your purchases via Internet, phone, or in person. Business credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere, which is great for those who need equipment or supplies in a hurry.

If you own a small business, you’ve probably experimented with using your personal cash for company purposes. This can get ugly in a hurry, which is why you should invest in a credit card for your small business. You can make purchases without having to worry about cash, then pay it back later. You won’t need to keep track of everything either - as you statement will be mailed to you at the end of the month, letting you know exactly how much you spent.

A small business credit card is also a great way to establish some credibility with your business as well. When you pay with your credit card, it looks a lot more professional than using cash to make your purchases. It will gain the respect of financial companies, and help your business build some credit as well. After you have had a credit card in good standing for a few months, you’ll be able to apply for a small business loan and get the best rates - along with the higher amounts.

Even though your business may not have a 6 figure income or budget, small business credit cards can still help your business grow and prosper. Credit cards are always great to have, simply for the fact that you never know when you need money. Your office equipment may crash and need replacing, or another emergency may come up. If you don’t have a credit card for your business, the financing alone could shatter your daily operations.

Small business credit cards will also give you plenty of rewards as well. Most cards will give you cash aback and certain rewards on just about anything you purchase. From gas to equipment, you can get rewards simply for using your credit card. You can increase your profit margin as well, which is always a great thing. If you have other workers who are authorized to use your credit card, you’ll get more rewards - and much faster as well. This is also easier on your business, as your workers will be able to get what they need, when they need it.

All in all, small business credit cards are always great to have around. They will provide your business with rewards and convenience, eliminating the need to use cash with each purchase you make. These cards will also protect the future of your business, and allow it to grow. If you own a small business, you shouldn’t hesitate to look into these credit cards. Once you have found the best credit card for your company, you shouldn’t hesitate to apply. Credit cards are always great to have around - even if your business is just getting started. Before you know it, your small business credit cards will more than pay for themselves.In today’s economy, small businesses play an important role. These days, it is easier than it ever has been to start a new small business[...]

The Air Mile Credit Card | What is Air Mile Credit Card

Air mile credit cards give you points or miles with every purchase you make, which you can redeem for traveling related expenses. In most cases, you can use your points or miles to get a free airline ticket to travel to a destination of your choice. Frequent flyers can use those very miles or points to redeem your reward faster.

There are a lot of companies out there that offer air mile cards. You can choose to get one online, through a bank, or even a credit card company. Each one is unique, and offers it’s own unique set of features. Before you select your card, you should always look at different companies and compare them as well. Normally, you will get a point or mile for every dollar you spend. You’ll also want to look at blackout dates as well, as many companies have decided to drop them and their expiration dates completely.

You will also want to find out what type of purchases you make with your card give you reward miles. Some purchases that you make may not be included in your reward incentives, which is why you’ll want to find out what purchases are and aren’t included. The bigger purchase items, such as televisions and furniture may have more miles included, which is why you’ll want to inquire.

Another area of importance is the interest rate. You should look deeper into the air mile credit card that you are interested in and find out how much the interest rates are and if there are any annual fees to using the card. Although your rewards may sound great, you don’t want to pay too much in fees or an annual rate just to reap the benefits.

Even though they have been around for many years, air mile credit cards are very popular for those like to travel. These cards can also help you with rental cars and hotel expenses as well, as long as you use the points you have accumulated by using your card. The get the most out of an air mile credit card, you should use your card on a frequent basis. You can really rack up the points if you purchase everything with your credit card - instead of using cash.

Air mile credit cards are great to have, as long as you don’t end up paying an arm and a leg in fees, and the annual rate isn’t that high. If you check into what each manufacturer offers, you can normally get a great deal. Also, make sure that find out what other rewards are included with the air mile credit card you get as well - as this can help you to make your decision when you finally decide to get the card.Air mile credit cards give you points or miles with every purchase you make[...]

The Cost Of Credit Cards | Be Wise With Your Credit Card

Although some choose to rush into getting a credit card, they normally do so without being aware of the costs. A lot of credit cards out there come with hidden costs and charges, and you should always be aware of this before you apply. In most cases, these fees and charges won’t get noticed by the user until it is too late.

Credit card holders who aren’t aware of any hidden costs could easily end up paying possibly thousands of dollars at the end of the year - and not even realize it. If you have a reward credit card, your rewards could easily be destroyed by these hidden costs. Although some credit card users may realize it, there are many out there who aren’t aware of these costs at all.

The first factor for hidden costs is found in the grace period. The grace period is the extra time you have to pay your bill without having extra fees added to your bill. Even though this can be great for paying your bill, it can quickly lead to a pitfall if you let it. To avoid any type of costs or hidden fees, you should pay your bill as soon as it arrives. This way, you won’t have to worry about your grace period or the interest that can accrue from letting your bill get later and later.

The late fee is another factor with credit cards that is often overlooked by credit card users. Late fees are common with credit cards, although their potential for costs is often overlooked. Some people choose to pay it and be done with it, unaware of the fact that these costs can indeed add up in no time at all. To be on the safe side, you should always know what the late charges are and how fast they can add up.

The easiest way to avoid any type of hidden fees or costs is to pay your bill on time - as soon as you receive your bill. You should also pay more than the minimum, as this helps to pay your bill off faster and ensure that you pay the bill and not just the interest. Paying your bill late is never a good thing, as it can easily destroy your credit report. If you continue to make late payments, your company or bank can increase your interest rates.

No matter what you do, you should always pay your credit card bill on time. Hidden fees and costs are out there - it’s up to you to avoid them. Credit card companies and banks won’t tell you what the hidden fees are, unless you ask them. To protect yourself and your credit - you should always be aware of the costs - and how to prevent them from happening to you.Although some choose to rush into getting a credit card, they normally do so without being aware of the costs[...]

Vacation And Credit Cards | Brings Your Credit Card When Travelling

Each and every year, many of us go on vacations. Vacations are a great way to relax, and get away from the everyday pressure of life. Over half of all American families take their vacation between April and September, meaning that they spend a lot of money on travel. Whether it’s international or domestic travel, you can spend a fortune before you actually realize it.

As we all know, traveling with cash or checks isn’t always a wise decision. Renting cars, flying in airplanes, or checking into hotels is a much easier task if you have a credit card. Even though you may decide to use your credit cards for big purchases only, you’ll find that the traveling experience will be a much smoother process.

Unlike cash or checks, credit cards make handling your documents and receipts much easier. If you purchase something, records from that purchase will be made with your credit card manufacturer, which you can always fall back on if something happens. Things can go wrong without notice, so you’ll always want a backup plan or something to have as proof in the event of a disaster. With a credit card, all you need to do is look back at your statement and you’ll find everything that you purchased in one easy to find location.

Credit cards are also much easier to handle and keep track of than cash. If you decide to go to a theme park or a resort, you’ll find that cash can be a bit bulky to handle. Carrying a large amount of cash can be hard to keep track of, even though it isn’t recommended. Credit cards use up less space, and you can keep them in your pocket. When you need to pay for something, you don’t need to count through your cash, simply hand over your credit card and sign your receipt.

If you don’t have any credit cards, you can always get them for vacation purposes only. There are many benefits to having credit cards, besides the fact of them being easier to keep track of. There are many different credit cards out there to choose from, including those that will give you cash back or rewards when you make a purchase. Cash back is normally a small percentage of what you spend, and is given to you at the end of the month.

Some credit cards will give you reward points for every dollar you spend, which can be redeemed with several merchants offering a variety of products. Although cash back is always a great thing, many people find reward cards to be just as good. You can enjoy your vacation, buy just about anything you want, and know that the money you spend will help you to buy other things that you may need when your vacation is over. Actually, can you think of this as having your cake and eating it to.

All in all, credit cards can make your vacation easier than ever before. You can earn rewards and cash back with purchases you make using your card. Although you may think cash is the preferred way to go, there are several merchants who actually prefer credit cards. They are more professional, and easier for you to handle than cash or checks. They are easy to obtain as well, providing you have good credit. If you don’t have a credit card, you should look into getting one before you take your next vacation. All you need to do is look for your favorite company online and apply through their website - you’ll normally receive a response in a matter of minutes.Each and every year, many of us go on vacations. Vacations are a great way to relax, and get away from the everyday pressure of life[...]

What Can A Credit Repair Consultant Do For Me? | Credit Repair Consultant

A Credit Repair Consultant can be an enormous advantage with people who have the trouble to maintain their points of credit good and cannot only fix them. Sometimes everyone needs a little of assistance, and it is large to have somebody to turn itself towards when you cannot handle all the writings all alone that there is.

The Credit Repair goes down to two things:
1. Examining the reports/ratios of credit for errors, and to dispute them with the agency of commercial informations or the agency.
2. Reducing your debts and to improve your history of credit.

The consultant can help with both. With the first, you must work with the consultant to find all the errors which there can be in your report/ratio of credit. If you find some (and much people) you must write at the agency commercial informations which produced the report/ratio aiming at the correction which is necessary and enclosing copies.

These letters must be very effective and it is important to send all the good writings to the agency of commercial informations, otherwise they will just continue to ask more information. Perhaps you don't have all the documents which you need, and you could employ of the assistance knowing where to obtain them. Or perhaps you don't write large letters, or don't have the time to do all of this. That's where a consultant can help.

A credit repair specialist will also usually to advise you on the management of debt and how to reduce your debts. This could include the consolidation of your loan, but you will have to narrowly look at interest rates on the loans which would be at the disposal of you. Sometimes it is to better keep the debts that you have, even if they mean more payments to maintain.

It is also important to include/understand the effect that to apply for another loan can have on your points of credit in this moment, if it is already low. The adviser can explain all this with you. They can also advise you on the way in which to approach the companies which you owe the money with, in order to make them agree to cease giving an account of you.

If you have the trouble to carry out the payments on the loans and the credit cards which you have, you can have to see an adviser of debt. To repair your credit which you will have to make all your time rates. You should also aim at reducing balances on your credit cards. If your charts maxed outside every hour or even if they are more than with half manner to the maximum, it is something which you can work above to improve your points of credit.

Some simply have a medium at low points of credit because they never had much credit of the whole. This can seem strange. Why people that were not never in the debt to have great points? The answer is that the companies of loan do not know what they treat.

No history of credit is better than a bad history of credit, but it is not as good as somebody who employs the credit and pays it always behind. If you are in this position, the credit repair consultant will say to you that you can easily accumulate a great history of credit without never entering the debt.A Credit Repair Consultant can be an enormous advantage with people who have the trouble to maintain their points of credit good and cannot[...]

How To Remove Wrong Info From Credit Report ?

How to remove wrong info from credit report is one of the first things you need to know if you want to improve your credit score.

If there is incorrect information on your credit report it should be simple to remove, but sometimes it can be a long process. The most important thing is to be patient, persistent and business like. Do not give up, but do not write angry letters either.

There are two kinds of information that may be showing wrongly on your credit report. There may be mistakes in either your personal details or the financial information. The way that you deal with both of these is the same.

1. Write to the credit bureau setting out exactly what is wrong and enclosing proof of the correct information. Keep a copy of everything that you send.

2. Ask them to provide a new credit report so that you can see the corrections have been made.

3. Send everything by certified mail. Ask for a receipt and keep it. You may need to prove they received your request on a certain date (see step 5).

4. If they have not replied to you with the correction made, after a while you can write again referring to the date of your previous letter and the date that you know they received it.

5. By law they must make the correction within 30 days of receiving your letter, if everything they needed was in there. If they ask for more proof, send it by certified mail and keep a copy again.

6. If they do not correct the information within 30 days of receiving all the information they requested, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You will need to provide copies of everything that you sent. Make new copies so that you always keep a copy yourself.

At the same time, you will want to check your credit report with the other two credit bureaus. They may be showing the same mistakes, and just because you had it corrected on one report does not mean it will be corrected on the others. You can check your credit report once a year with each bureau without it reflecting badly.

When you write to a credit bureau, you may be real angry about the mistake which could be causing you big problems financially. It is important to stay very cool. Imagine you are acting on behalf of somebody else, not doing this for yourself.

The more quickly you need to have the mistake corrected, the more important it is to be business like. Remember that the person who deals with your request is probably not the same person who made the mistake originally, so you should not blame them. They will be much more willing to help you out if you are polite.

Keep in mind that you do have the right to have your credit report corrected and it should be a simple process that will only cost a few dollars for certified mail etc, if you do it yourself. If you have trouble getting the right tone in your letter, you may find it helpful to consult a credit repair company who will know how to remove wrong info from credit report. How to remove wrong info from credit report is one of the first things you need to know if you want to improve your credit score[...]

What Is A Bad Credit Score?

There is a lot of discussion about credit reports and ratings, but exactly what is a bad credit score? Why do some people constantly get turned down for loans while others, who don't have any more money, are instantly approved with no trouble?

Credit ratings are an important part of everybody's life these days. Even if you don't want a loan, your credit score can affect your application for credit cards, apartment leases, and even some jobs. It can also affect anything that involves you committing to monthly payments - auto financing, some insurance schemes, even having a phone hooked up in your house.

FICO or Fair Isaac Corporation is the best known credit score calculator in the USA. The exact mathematical formula or algorithm of the FICO credit calculation is very complex, but it is based on all the financial information they can get about you. This includes your credit history, loan and mortgage applications, missed payments if any, and many other details.

Some lending companies will use the FICO score directly to estimate whether a person is likely to be able to pay any financial commitments that they are applying for. Other companies are members of a credit bureau who supply them with credit rating information on applicants.

The three credit bureaus in the USA each have their own way of calculating a credit score but they are based on the FICO score. An individual's score is updated regularly. If you have a very good score, you will most likely be approved for low interest loans and credit cards.

The range of FICO scores is from 300 to 850. The higher you score, the better.

Around 725 or higher would be a very good score. With a score like that you have a good chance of getting approved for the apartment, car loan or mortgage that you want to apply for, and you will be able to get low interest rates in most cases.

Between 580 and 725 you will still have no trouble getting the finance that you need but the interest rates are likely to increase as you reach the lower part of that scale.

Below 580 is a bad credit score, and below 500 is real bad. The lower you go here, the more trouble you will have finding credit, and the more interest you will have to pay. It doesn't seem fair that the worse off you are, the more they make you pay, right? But it's because you are seen as a bad risk. Your interest rates reflect the costs they think they might have getting the money back from you if you don't pay it.

If you have a bad credit score you need to know that before you start looking for loans. It is best to know your exact score and be upfront with it when you call any kind of loan company. That way if they are going to turn you down, you know right away without wasting any more time - and without having rejected applications appearing on your credit report, pushing your score even lower.

Knowing your own personal credit rating will help to get you the best credit deals available to you, now that you know what is a bad credit score and what is a good credit score.
There is a lot of discussion about credit reports and ratings, but exactly what is a bad credit score[...]