Personal blog on early retirement, selling tradelines, and analytics projects. I write about what I learn as I am learning it.
People ask me this all the time, usually a few days after doing something responsible — paying off a balance, disputing an error — and then checking their score to see… nothing. “Why is my credit score not updating?” is one of those questions that sounds simple but has a surprisingly layered answer.
When it comes to making a big purchase like a car, finding the best credit card for buying a car can make a huge difference in terms of savings, rewards, and financing options. Although many dealerships prefer cash or financing, using a credit card for part or all of your car purchase can be a smart move if you’re well-prepared. Whether you’re aiming to earn cash back, save on interest, or gain extra perks, certain credit cards are better suited for major purchases like a vehicle. This guide breaks down the top credit card options, what to look for in a card, and how to navigate the dealership’s policies to make the most of this method. For a full explanation of what is an unsecured credit card, I wrote a dedicated post on that.
The credit repair business opportunity looks different depending on which side you’re looking at it from. There’s the formal credit repair company side — disputing items, charging monthly retainers, navigating Credit Repair Organizations Act compliance. And then there’s the tradelines side, which is what I actually do: I sell authorized user positions on my own credit cards to people trying to boost their scores. Different animals. Both are real income opportunities; neither is as passive as the sales pitches suggest. Related: using personal credit card for business — worth reading if this applies to you.
If you’ve been exploring alternative payment solutions, you might have come across Zip, a popular buy now, pay later (BNPL) service. With the increasing use of these services, an important question arises: does Zip report to credit bureaus? This article breaks down how Zip interacts with credit reporting, how it could impact your credit score, and what that means for you. Related: does carvana report to credit bureaus — worth reading if this applies to you.
An unsecured credit card is the type most people are already carrying in their wallet without thinking much about the name. It’s a standard credit card that doesn’t require you to put down a security deposit — the issuer extends you a credit line based on your creditworthiness alone. No upfront cash held as collateral. Just an application, an approval decision, and a credit limit that reflects how the issuer views your risk as a borrower. Related: minimum income for credit card — worth reading if this applies to you.
