More Americans are retiring in the red. Before joining them, figure out how much your bills will hinder you.

It’s difficult to live the American dream without good credit, particularly if you are trying to keep up with your peers. Credit is a tool that expands your purchasing power. It should be used properly to enable purchasing power, with the least cost out of pocket.

You might be surprised to know that from the time you got your first credit card or took out your first student loan, you've been compiling what's known as a credit history. And it's your credit history, along with your income, assets, and liabilities, that ultimately will dictate how much you will pay for your mortgage, car loan, insurance premiums, and perhaps even where you live or who employs you.

Recently passed bankruptcy legislation requires filers to first undergo mandatory credit counseling. Congress didn’t state exactly what that means, leaving debtors and counselors concerned.

Consumers can obtain a copy of their credit report for free at a Government-mandated Website. But only if they type the name correctly.

Most consumers are aware that a history of paying bills late or not at all can hurt one’s ability to obtain a loan.

There are companies that offer to “fix” problems on your credit report. Here’s what you need to know to fix the problems yourself.

Most consumers are aware that they have something known as a credit score. Few know what factors are used to create that score. Here are some details.

Identity theft is a problem that can affect most anyone, and it isn’t going to go away. Here are some more helpful tips on how you can avoid being a victim.

Those at risk for identity theft have a new tool at their disposal. The credit bureaus will allow you to monitor your credit activity.