Payment history and total debt are important parts of the mystery mix -- but not the only factors.

Working-class people lined up to pay big bucks for advances on their checks, and it was all legal. But times are changing.

The Great Recession has wiped out jobs for millions of Americans, and many now face permanent unemployment. Hardest hit are older white men with less education.

With unemployment high and complicated health care changes under way, scammers see big opportunities. Here's how to avoid getting hurt.

If you want to avoid problems with lenders, landlords, insurers and others, it pays to know the difference between credit fact and credit fiction.

Some experts understand that when you're paying for diapers and day care, it's nearly impossible to save enough for retirement. But it may not be too late to catch up.

Marriages -- even former ones -- can have significant financial advantages. Here's a look at how having said 'I do' can win you more in retirement benefits.

If your coverage has run out and you still haven't found a job that provides health benefits, here are 5 avenues to explore to stay insured.

Long considered more responsible than boys behind the wheel, a growing number of girls admit speeding and aggressive driving. And their insurance rates are rising.

After Suzy Tomlinson, 74, died, her family learned that her 36-year-old companion, the last person to see her alive, stood to benefit from her death.     

A new report suggests steps to help sustain the program for generations. But the fixes require political courage.

College grads face daunting obstacles that threaten to make them part of the first generation to fare worse than the one that spawned it.

One financial reform passed by the Senate would allow you to see your credit scores -- not just your reports -- if they were used against you.

As the housing crisis wears on, more homeowners are forced to consider handing their keys back to their lenders. Here's what happened to 5 who did just that.

As the traditional summer driving season approaches, a drivers'-rights group ranks the states on friendliness toward drivers. New Jersey? Fuhgeddaboudit.

Need some help affording college? A special skill or interest -- or even a particular last name -- can put a big dent in a student's tuition.

Check your policy before you head to Europe for a month or leave your house empty for any other reason. Your home might not be insured while you're away. 

A home office has many benefits, but it can have even more distractions. Before you stray from your task to see who's on 'Oprah,' set some parameters.

Car thefts have fallen nearly 20% in 2 years because of new technology, aggressive cops and aging crooks, among other reasons. One result: Cheaper insurance.

The statistics on retirement savings aren't pretty. But a simple change -- made annually -- can make a huge difference.