Don’t let financial surprises derail your fresh start. These key steps can help you protect your assets and future.
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Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links within this article, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend. Divorce isn’t just an emotional upheaval—it’s a financial one, too. Whether you’re just considering separation or already in the process, smart money planning can save you thousands and prevent costly mistakes.
Skip the budget stress and plan a beautiful ceremony in weeks. This may sound ambitious, yet it can be surprisingly simple.
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Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links within this article, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend. When you shorten the timeline, you limit options—in a good way. Fewer choices mean fewer chances to overspend. Many couples want a celebration with friends, family, and meaningful details but do not want the…
Take this challenging situation head-on so that you can make the most of it.
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Many workers face the prospect of an early retirement. According to a recent Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) Retirement Confidence Survey, 46% of retirees left the workforce earlier than planned. The reasons vary, but retiring earlier than you anticipate requires some fast adjustments to ensure lifetime financial security. And, analysis by ProPublica and the Urban Institute shows…
Store-brand products offer quality and savings, and these are the favorites among our readers.
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Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links within this article, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend. Mindful shopping is smart shopping. Store brands fit into that equation, as they often provide better value than name brands. Shoppers agree. The Private Label Manufacturers Association says sales of store-brand…
Quit the commute and find a remote job using these tips.
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Imagine getting paid to work at home in your pajamas with a cat curled on your lap and a cup of tea by your side. Working from home is the dream I’ve been living for the past 17 years. For me, it truly is as good as it sounds — especially as a working mother who is often called to bring forgotten lunches to school. Before you look into remote positions, think about whether you would like to…
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You might think your credit score can only go up if you’re paying your credit card balance in full every month. If you are, you’re doing amazing — but your credit score may not benefit as much as you think.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. In fact, one big factor in your credit score could be suffering if you wait until your official due date to make a credit card payment.Let’s dive into what it is — and how you can raise your credit score with a simple change in your habits.Your credit utilization ratioYour credit utilization ratio is a huge factor in your credit score, and it’s easy to figure out what yours is. Just divide your total revolving debt (namely, your credit card balances) by your total available credit.If you owe a total of $3,000 on two credit cards with a combined spending limit of $12,000, then your credit utilization ratio is:$3,000 / $12,000 = 0.25, or 25%You want your credit utilization ratio to be low — ideally, 10% or lower. That’s a sign that you’re not borrowing too much money, and it will also help you achieve an excellent credit score.Why your credit utilization ratio may be higher than you thinkMost credit card companies report your account info to the credit bureaus — the companies that maintain your credit history — once a month. Your credit utilization ratio is based on this monthly snapshot.Many card issuers report to the bureaus at the end of each statement period — that’s when they tell you how much you owe. Your payment due date will likely be a few weeks after that.That means paying your balance in full on your due date does not guarantee a credit utilization ratio of 0%. When it comes to your credit score, what really matters is your balance when your card issuer reports to the credit bureaus.A simple way to maximize your credit scoreIf you want to keep your credit utilization ratio as low as possible, there are two simple ways to do it:Find out when your card issuer reports to the credit bureaus, and pay your balance in full before that.Pay off your credit card every day that you use it so your balance stays at $0.If your credit card balance is low (or nonexistent) when your card issuer reports to the credit bureaus, your credit score could improve instantly.And if you want another easy way to lower your credit utilization ratio, you could request a credit limit increase or open a new credit card. Either way, your available credit will go up, which means your credit utilization will go down.Want to reward yourself in the process of opening a new card? Check our list of the best credit card sign-up bonuses and start earning toward one today.Opening a new card may slightly decrease your score in the short term, but it will be a positive in the long term so long as you make on-time payments.Just be sure not to take on more credit if you are unable to pay off your credit cards on time and in full. Otherwise, a higher spending limit could land you in high-interest debt.Ready for a new card that could help take your credit score to new heights while paying big rewards? Check out our list of the best credit cards to get started.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. 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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”
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You might think your credit score can only go up if you’re paying your credit card balance in full every month. If you are, you’re doing amazing — but your credit score may not benefit as much as you think.
Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
In fact, one big factor in your credit score could be suffering if you wait until your official due date to make a credit card payment.
Let’s dive into what it is — and how you can raise your credit score with a simple change in your habits.
Your credit utilization ratio
Your credit utilization ratio is a huge factor in your credit score, and it’s easy to figure out what yours is. Just divide your total revolving debt (namely, your credit card balances) by your total available credit.
If you owe a total of $3,000 on two credit cards with a combined spending limit of $12,000, then your credit utilization ratio is:
$3,000 / $12,000 = 0.25, or 25%
You want your credit utilization ratio to be low — ideally, 10% or lower. That’s a sign that you’re not borrowing too much money, and it will also help you achieve an excellent credit score.
Why your credit utilization ratio may be higher than you think
Most credit card companies report your account info to the credit bureaus — the companies that maintain your credit history — once a month. Your credit utilization ratio is based on this monthly snapshot.
Many card issuers report to the bureaus at the end of each statement period — that’s when they tell you how much you owe. Your payment due date will likely be a few weeks after that.
That means paying your balance in full on your due date does not guarantee a credit utilization ratio of 0%. When it comes to your credit score, what really matters is your balance when your card issuer reports to the credit bureaus.
A simple way to maximize your credit score
If you want to keep your credit utilization ratio as low as possible, there are two simple ways to do it:
Find out when your card issuer reports to the credit bureaus, and pay your balance in full before that.
Pay off your credit card every day that you use it so your balance stays at $0.
If your credit card balance is low (or nonexistent) when your card issuer reports to the credit bureaus, your credit score could improve instantly.
And if you want another easy way to lower your credit utilization ratio, you could request a credit limit increase or open a new credit card. Either way, your available credit will go up, which means your credit utilization will go down.
Opening a new card may slightly decrease your score in the short term, but it will be a positive in the long term so long as you make on-time payments.
Just be sure not to take on more credit if you are unable to pay off your credit cards on time and in full. Otherwise, a higher spending limit could land you in high-interest debt.
Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Tarra “Madam Money” Jackson is a financial educator, international speaker, author, and wealth empowerment strategist helping you heal, build, and grow your wealth.
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