Money Management

A credit score of 600 may not get you a conventional mortgage, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Read on to learn more. 

Credit scores range from 300 to 850, and Experian says a credit score of 600 is considered fair. Specifically, it puts a score of 580 to 669 in that category.

But while a credit score of 600 may be fair, it’s also not high enough to allow you to qualify for a conventional mortgage. It takes a minimum credit score of 620 to be able to snag one of those loans. And so if you apply with a score of 600, a mortgage lender is likely to reject your application. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have other options.

There are different mortgage programs you can explore

When it comes to financing a home purchase, a conventional mortgage is not the only way to go. And if your credit score is 600, it means you may be in good shape to qualify for other loan types.

One option you may want to consider is an FHA loan. These loans require a minimum credit score of 500, so if your score is 600, it means you may be eligible.

That said, if your credit score is between 500 and 579, you’ll need to make a 10% down payment on an FHA loan. But if your score is at least 580, you can get away with putting down as little as 3.5% of your home’s purchase price. By contrast, with a conventional mortgage, you may have to put down 5% at closing or even more, depending on your lender’s requirements.

Another borrowing option you may be able to pursue with a credit score of 600 is a VA loan. This option will only be on the table if you are or were a member of the U.S. military, or if you were married to a veteran.

There are no credit score requirements for VA loans, so technically, you might be able to qualify with a score that’s much lower than 600 (though that will ultimately depend on your lender). And VA loans also offer the benefit of not requiring a down payment.

Ways to bring your credit score up

Having a credit score of 600 won’t automatically mean that you can’t qualify to borrow for a home. But raising your credit score could work to your benefit. And you can give your credit score a nice boost by paying all of your upcoming bills on time and whittling down a chunk of existing credit card debt if you can afford to do so.

Something else that might help your credit score improve? Check your credit report for errors. If you spot a mistake that’s harmful to your credit history, getting it removed by contacting the credit bureaus could result in a higher score.

Remember, the higher your credit score, the more likely you are to not only get approved for a home loan, but snag a more competitive mortgage rate. So even though you can borrow for a home with a credit score of 600, you may be able to do so in a far more affordable manner if you manage to bring your score up.

Our picks for the best credit cards

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Have a Trader Joe’s nearby? Read on to see what cool products you might find on the shelves this month. 

In July, food prices rose 3.6% on an annual basis, per last month’s Consumer Price Index. That’s why it helps to have a source of affordable groceries in your area. And if you’re lucky, there’s a Trader Joe’s nearby that fits that bill. Here are some great products you’ll find in the store this month. And the best part? None will result in a particularly high credit card bill.

1. Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce

If you ever watch TV cooking competitions, you’ll often find that professional chefs are quick to whip up an aioli. But if that’s not in your wheelhouse, you can outsource yours to Trader Joe’s. This creation isn’t overwhelmingly mustard-forward, so you’ll get some tang and bite without too much sharpness. Spread it on a sandwich and you’ve got yourself a gourmet lunch. A nine-ounce jar will cost you just $2.79.

2. Dairy-Free Mozzarella Style Shreds

Who says a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance has to stop you from enjoying pizza? You may need to make it yourself, but this dairy-free, vegan mozzarella from Trader Joe’s can help. You can sprinkle it not just on pizza, but on salads and pasta as well. Or, buy some eggs (or egg substitutes) and whip up a delicious breakfast scramble. You’ll pay $3.99 for a seven-ounce bag.

3. PB&C Snack Duo

School will be back in session any day now. And depending on where you live, it may be back already. If you want to mix things up on the snack front, pick up this Trader Joe’s find. It features individual packs of cocoa wafer sticks and yummy peanut butter dipping sauce. You’ll spend $3.99 for a 12.7-ounce box that contains six individual portions.

4. S’Mores Ice Cream

Some of us want to eke out every last minute of summer. And what better way to enjoy the lingering warm weather than to indulge in some s’mores-flavored ice cream? This Trader’s Joe’s creation will make you feel like you’re at a campfire — only without the skewers and mess. You may even want to buy a second container to revisit summer later on in the year, when the weather is cold and you start to miss those lazy days at the beach. A pint of s’mores ice cream will cost you $3.79.

5. Organic Cacio e Pepe Puffs

Cacio e pepe is an Italian restaurant classic. There’s just something about the simplicity of sharp cheese and black pepper that makes for a truly delicious meal. If you can’t get out to your favorite local restaurant this month, you can bring the same flavor home with these cacio e pepe puffs. Think of them as a really sophisticated cheese curl — one you can perhaps keep away from your kids. A 4.9-ounce bag costs $2.49.

Trader Joe’s does a great job of consistently introducing new products. But some of these items may be gone before you know it. So if they sound appealing to you, head over to your local Trader Joe’s before they fly off the shelves.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Want to see more Sunday afternoon NFL games without paying $449 for NFL Sunday Ticket? Discover how to get NFL Sunday Ticket for $0 through Verizon. 

We’re less than one month away from the official start of the regular NFL season. If you want to make sure you don’t miss any of the action, you may want to consider subscribing to NFL Sunday Ticket. And if you don’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars for a subscription, this deal is for you.

Verizon has a money-saving promotion allowing eligible customers to get a free subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket for this season. Here’s how to get ready for game day.

Save $449 by getting NFL Sunday Ticket for free

The regular price for a one-season subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket purchased through Youtube is $449. With this service, football fans can catch Sunday afternoon NFL regular season games that aren’t broadcast in their local area. That’s a lot of money to spend to watch Sunday afternoon football games at home on your big screen.

But some new and existing Verizon customers can get a free 2023–2024 NFL football season subscription. Here are a few ways you can quality for a free subscription:

Become a new Verizon mobile customer, make an eligible phone purchase, and enroll in an Unlimited Plus plan.Be a current Verizon mobile customer, make an eligible phone upgrade, and upgrade to an Unlimited Plus plan or add a new line to your Unlimited Plus plan.Become a new Verizon Home Internet customer and sign up for a Fios 1 Gig, Fios 2 Gig, 5G Home Plus, or LTE Home Plus plan.

This deal could be worthwhile if you’ve considered paying for an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription. You can watch more football games and keep more money in your checking account. Already a Verizon customer but not interested in a new phone or a mobile plan upgrade? You can get a $100 discount on an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription.

If you plan to take advantage of this promotion, review all offer terms and conditions first to know what to expect. It’s also a good idea to compare each eligible Verizon plan’s cost to ensure the plan fits your budget. You want to make sure you can afford the expense.

Here’s another way to save on the cost of NFL Sunday Ticket

Want to sign up for an NFL Sunday Ticket without paying the $449 price tag? There’s another way to get a good deal so you don’t spend more than necessary on this expense. Through Aug. 19, you can get a discount when you sign up for this service through YouTube. Instead of paying $449, you’ll pay $399 for an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription for the upcoming season. You could get access to more games and stash the $50 you saved in a high-yield savings account.

Look for ways to save money on streaming services

Before entering your credit card details while signing up for a new-to-you streaming service, check to see if you qualify for any discount opportunities. Promotions like the ones mentioned above can allow you to access new streaming content without overspending.

Every bit of money saved adds up and makes a difference. Check out our free personal finance resources for additional ways to save money on everyday expenses.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until nearly 2025

If you’re using the wrong credit or debit card, it could be costing you serious money. Our experts love this top pick, which features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, an insane cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee.

In fact, this card is so good that our experts even use it personally. Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

Read our free review

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Discover Financial Services. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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