Money tips

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buy now pay later on mobile phone
Borrowing

Buy Now Pay Later Schemes: How vulnerable do they make you?

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) schemes have become increasingly popular over recent years. They allow individuals to purchase ...
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loan sharks behind the mask
Borrowing

Loan Sharks: Who is really behind the mask?

What does a loan shark look like to you? When thinking about a 'loan shark', the chances are ...
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Borrowing

How financial associations affect your credit profile

A financial association is a link between two or more people who have shared financial accounts or products. ...
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credit repair card
Borrowing

Credit repair services: are they worth it?

Having a good credit score is important for your financial wellbeing. A good credit score can help you ...
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improve credit
Borrowing

Improve your chances of being approved for credit

There are many ways you can build your credit history and boost your credit score to improve your ...
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credit decision yes or no
Borrowing

How lenders make credit decisions

Credit checks are common when you apply for credit, such as a loan or credit card. Lenders need ...
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credit score
Borrowing

What is a credit score?

A credit score is a number that lenders use to assess your ‘credit worthiness’. The number is based ...
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50 30 20 budgeting
Spending

The 50/30/20 method of budgeting

The ‘50/30/20’ method is a budgeting tool and can assist you in managing your money more efficiently. Using ...
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debt ratio written in chalk
Borrowing

Debt Ratios: what you need to know

When applying for a loan, lenders need to consider how much of a risk it is to lend ...
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credit unions and banks pros and cons
Borrowing

Credit Unions and Banks: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to borrowing and saving, naturally the first place many might think to go to would ...
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voting in the electoral roll improves credit score
Borrowing

Why the Electoral Roll improves your credit score

There are many factors that can positively impact your credit score. One of these factors includes being on ...
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credit default
Borrowing

A default can stop you getting credit

A default on your credit file can prevent you from borrowing money. A default occurs when you have ...
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building credit score
Borrowing

How to build credit history when you’ve never borrowed before

When you apply to borrow money from a lender, the lender will need to assess you to determine ...
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missed payment overdue
Borrowing

What is a missed payment?

A ‘missed payment’ is when you don’t make a payment on the date agreed during a billing cycle ...
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credit union membership
Borrowing

What is a credit union?

A credit union is a not-for-profit co-operative, providing loans and savings accounts to its members. Their three main ...
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Borrowing

Why payment history matters

Your repayment history on credit agreements is taken into account by a lender when considering you for a ...
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Borrowing

About indebtedness

When considering a loan application, lenders must make sure that the debt is affordable.  This goes beyond checking ...
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Borrowing

You owe a lot compared to your annual income

If you owe between 50% and 100% of your annual income it can be harder to get a ...
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Borrowing

About County Court Judgements (CCJs)

As a rule, it is rare for creditors to take people to court. Because of this, lenders take ...
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Borrowing

You have a recent default on your credit file

If you’ve missed between three and six  payments, on a credit account you may be declared in default. ...
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Borrowing

You have a recent default on your account

If you’ve missed between three and six  payments, on a credit account you may be declared in default. ...
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Borrowing

You have missed payments on your accounts

Each time you miss a payment a ‘current status indicator’ goes up in value at the Credit Reference ...
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Borrowing

Getting a mortgage with a poorer credit history

We’ve been locked away in our homes for more than a year. No wonder many of us are ...
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Borrowing

How to get credit when you’ve never borrowed before

A catch-22... No credit in the past, means no track record of payments. Because of this, it’s hard ...
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Spending

Save money by using cash instead of a card

Save money by using cash instead of a card. If you walk into a supermarket with only a ...
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Borrowing

You’ve got a County Court Judgment

A County Court Judgment (CCJ), even from some time time ago, still has a negative effect on your ...
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Borrowing

You’ve got a recent County Court Judgment

Having more than one County Court Judgment (CCJ) or a very recent CCJ will make it really hard ...
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Borrowing

Soft vs hard credit check – what’s the difference?

Each time you apply for a loan a lender will search your credit report... and your credit score ...
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electoral roll ballot box
Borrowing

How to get on the electoral roll

It's unusual for lenders to make you a loan if you're not on the electoral roll. Yes, it's ...
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Borrowing

How to turn your credit score from OK to GREAT

If your credit score is 'OK' but not great, you’ll need to sort out things like: High balances ...
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Borrowing

What to do about a LOW credit score

If you have a low or poor credit score, it is likely that you’ll need to address a ...
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Borrowing

About missed payments

Missed payments are when you’ve not made a repayment due under a credit agreement. For example – not ...
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Borrowing

What is a credit reference agency?

Credit Reference Agencies (CRA) are also referred to as credit bureau. CRA's hold and share information about your ...
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Borrowing

A default can stop you getting credit

One or two missed payments might not be too serious. These are referred to as ‘early delinquency’. However, ...
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