Personal Finance
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Rebecca Lake is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF), freelance writer, and blogger whose mission is helping others learn how to master their money. Her writing has been featured on Forbes Advisor, Investopedia, SoFi, and SmartAsset. She's also the founder of Boss Single Mama, a personal finance website for moms who want to become financially savvy.
Articles by Rebecca Lake
What Is a Thrift Savings Plan?
The Thrift Savings Plan is a defined-contribution plan that allows federal employees and military members to save for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis.
Home Warranties: What Are They and Are They Worth It?
Home warranties can supplement a homeowners insurance policy, but it's important to weigh the cost against the benefits.
What Is a Hard Inquiry?
Hard inquiries happen when an authorized person or entity requests a copy of your credit reports. Hard inquiries are also known as “hard pulls” or “hard credit checks.” They’re usually standard when applying for credit.
How to Get a Credit Report
Checking your credit reports regularly can help you stay on top of score changes. Learn how to get a credit report online.
How to Dispute a Credit Report
Disputing credit report errors could help to add points to your credit score. Learn how to initiate—and pursue—a dispute.
What Is a Soft Inquiry? All You Need To Know
A soft inquiry is a credit check (performed by you or someone else) that doesn’t affect your credit score.
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