How big of an impact does being an authorized user on a credit card have? In my experience, a lot. See just how it worked for me, and how it can work for you, too.

As an automotive special finance writer, I give my readers advice every day on how to be smart about their credit. But I’ll tell you a secret: I’ve struggled with credit my entire adult life. So, I decided to put my money where my mouth is and use the advice I give as a writer to improve my own credit.

Even if you qualify for a credit card you may have to apply for horrible credit auto loans to establish your car credit.

For years, I was plagued by my poor credit history. I thought I would never be able to fix it or get approved for a car loan. But once I took control of my situation, I was able to rid myself of the negative financial marks that had been holding me back. I had to learn how to manage my accounts better, and get access to my credit reports so I could see what the lenders saw. I had to be patient, as the results weren't going to happen overnight. During this process, I took the time to learn more about how long different bad credit situations can affect someone.

If you have spent any time in the world, you understand that credit is a big part of everybody's lives, and it is important that it is good. If your credit isn't the best and you want to improve it, we have some advice to get you started on the road to better credit. The good news is if you are reading this, you already have the first thing you need, which is the desire and dedication to see improvements in your financial profile.

If you’ve been struggling with a large amount of debt, you may have considered taking part in a debt management program (also called credit counseling).

If you want to improve your credit score, you need to understand that factors that make it up. There are five main components that your score is based off of, and understanding how they work can help you identify ways you can boost your credit rating.

Credit reports seem confusing with all of the information and numbers you'll find on them. However, they can be broken down into four main sections, and once you understand what you are looking at, they become much easier to comprehend.

If you've never had a loan or credit card, your credit history is likely blank. To begin building your credit, you need to open a line of credit and make on time payments.

How the latest online security vulnerability could even affect consumers with less than perfect credit