Barry Paperno
CreditCards.com
Cullowhee, NC, United States
Contact Barry
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Past articles by Barry:
Should I pay off or close my credit card to get a better mortgage?
Paying off a card can raise your credit score and help you better qualify for a home loan, but closing a card can hurt you → Read More
Credit scoring effect of opening vs. closing credit cards
Opening and closing a credit card can both have negative effects on your score, albeit short-lived. The good news is, you don't need to close a card in order to open a new one. → Read More
How do I remove old negative items from my credit reports?
If negative items appeared on your credit report as a result of ID theft a few years ago, you can still remove them from your reports. Here's how. → Read More
Individual vs. combined utilization: Which one has greater effect on score?
Having at least one card with high utilization can hurt your score, even if your overall utilization is low. Here's what to do. → Read More
How to cancel a gym contract without hurting your credit
How ending a relationship with a service provider by closing the card on file can backfire. → Read More
Q&A: Why is there a difference between my credit scores?
Credit scores and reports vary constantly due to frequent updates. To always keep them in good shape, pay bills on time and keep a low balance. → Read More
Q&A: 'High balance:' What it is, how it impacts credit score
'High balance' is a key item that helps determine credit utilization. However, it is oftentimes overlooked in credit reports. → Read More
Q&A: How a balance transfer to 0 percent card affects score
A 0 percent balance transfer card can help you pay off debt more quickly and boost your score in the long run, but your credit may take a ding at first if you max out the credit limit → Read More
I'm an authorized user on high-balance cards; what to do?
Removing yourself as an authorized user from highly utilized cards might be a no-brainer, but you should also consider other factors, such as the age of the accounts. → Read More
Q&A: How to achieve a good credit score as a first-time cardholder
Achieving a good credit score is possible even if you are a first-time cardholder. Make sure to never miss a payment, keep a low balance and not apply for another card until your card is a year old. → Read More
Q&A: How to handle old debt soon to be sent to collections
If sent to collections, an old debt can have legal and credit scoring consequences. Consider the age and amount of the debt before making any decision, and, if you can, find a way to pay it off. → Read More
Q&A: How credit utilization is calculated in a married couple's credit scores
For credit scoring purposes we remain single perpetually, but couples can boost each other's credit by adding each other as authorized users to accounts in good standing → Read More
Q&A: Sudden spike in credit utilization can cause major score drop
A sudden increase in your credit utilization can cause your score to drop up to 100 points. The good news is that your score can recover quickly if your utilization goes back to where it was before, and late payments are not the issue. → Read More
Q&A: Should I contest credit card wrongly reported as closed by me?
Worried about a credit card that was wrongly reported as closed by you and not the card issuer? Who closed the account is not as important for credit scoring purposes as whether there was a balance on the closed account. → Read More
Q&A: Applying for house refinance soon? Don't miss card payments
The months prior to refinancing your home is not the time to miss bill payments, as this will lower your score. But there are ways to help your score → Read More
Q&A: How to combine existing card balances without hurting score
Combining several existing balances into an old, low-interest card is a smart move, as long as you keep all paid-off cards open to avoid hurting your credit score. → Read More
Q&A: How to combine existing card balances without hurting score
Combining several existing balances into an old, low-interest card is a smart move, as long as you keep all paid-off cards open to avoid hurting your credit score. → Read More
Q&A: Library fines, parking tickets can no longer trash your credit
The 2015 National Consumer Assistance Plan changed the way any kind of debt, including library fines and parking tickets, can be reported to the credit bureaus → Read More
Q&A: How does credit card activity affect my score?
Making additional charges and payments on your card on the same billing cycle won't impact score; what really counts is how much you owe at the end of each month, and when you pay it. → Read More
Q&A: Why a recent graduate should get a second credit card
A second card can increase your total available credit and improve your score; just look for a card that caters to credit-building consumers → Read More