9 credit scores you didn’t know you had
Credit Sesame introduces 9 credit scores beyond the ones you see every day and explains how they might affect your financial life. Most people think they have one credit score, the number they check in a credit card app or a credit monitoring tool. In reality, there are many credit scores, each designed to predict […]
New FICO credit score includes BNPL transactions
Credit Sesame explains how the new FICO credit score incorporates Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) activity, which may impact how consumers build and maintain their credit. FICO, the company behind the widely used FICO credit scores, announced it will launch a new version that includes BNPL activity. This update could help people who struggle to […]
News roundup June 28, 2025
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup June 28, 2025. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. FICO to factor BNPL into credit scores this fall In recognition of the increased use of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) programs by American consumers, FICO is launching a version of its credit scores […]
7 good money management habits that do not affect your credit score
Credit Sesame explains why some of the smartest money management habits do not impact your credit score, even if they reflect good money management. Building strong financial habits is always a good idea. But when it comes to your credit score, not every smart move counts. In fact, many habits that help you feel financially […]
Conflicting signals cloud the outlook for 2025 interest rates
Credit Sesame explains how mixed economic signals are complicating Fed decisions and what that means for 2025 interest rates and consumer borrowing costs. June’s Fed meeting came and went without any change in the Federal funds rate. The decision reflects a growing problem: the economic indicators the Fed relies on are increasingly pointing in opposite […]
News roundup June 21, 2025
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup June 21, 2025. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Retail sales took a hit in May 2025 U.S. retail sales suffered a bigger drop than was expected in May. Retail sales fell by 0.9% during the month, more than the expected decline of […]
The difference between a good credit score and a great credit score
Credit Sesame explains how a great credit score, though not a formal classification, is widely used to describe scores in the very good to exceptional range and may lead to better rates and stronger offers. Credit scores can influence everything from the interest you pay on a loan to the credit cards you can qualify […]
The not-so-surprising link between mental health and credit scores
Credit Sesame examines how a new large-scale study links mental health and credit scores and why the connection may matter more than you think. Being in control of your finances, regardless of your income level, may help ward off negative mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety. That is one conclusion suggested by a […]
News roundup June 14, 2025
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup June 14, 2025. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Consumer inflation slows to 0.1% in May 2025 The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by just 0.1% in May. That’s less than April’s 0.2% rise, and projects […]
What a slowing job market means for your credit score
Credit Sesame explains how a slowing job market could influence your credit score through potential income disruption, increased reliance on credit, and other financial pressures. Increased financial stress for households The U.S. job market is showing signs of strain. In May 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the economy added 139,000 jobs, […]
What falling CEO confidence may mean for your job, budget and credit
Credit Sesame looks at what a sharp drop in CEO confidence may signal for the economy and how it could affect your life and finances. Confidence among America’s chief executive officers (CEOs) has just experienced its steepest drop since 1976, according to a new survey. When concern rises at the top, it often trickles down. […]
News roundup June 7, 2025
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup June 7, 2025. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Job growth slowed in May 2025 The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the US economy added 139,000 jobs in May. That marked a decline in employment growth from the 147,000 jobs added in […]
10 potentially credit-building lifestyle choices
Credit Sesame explores 10 potentially credit-building lifestyle choices, from payment strategies to account setup tips that can help support your credit health. Your credit score reflects more than just how you borrow. It also responds to how you manage bills, track spending, and make consistent financial decisions. When these actions become part of your daily […]
Only half of Americans spend less than they earn: Are you living beyond your means?
Credit Sesame highlights new survey findings that show a clear gap between how Americans feel about their finances and how many are living beyond their means. Think you’re doing fine financially? The Fed’s new survey says maybe not Many Americans believe their finances are in good shape, but new data from the Federal Reserve suggests […]
Personal finance weekly news roundup May 31, 2025
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup May 31, 2025. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Auto loan surge tied to tariff fears The VantageScore CreditGauge reported that borrowing increased over the past year across all categories: auto loans, credit cards, mortgages and personal loans. Growth was strongest in the […]
