Credit Kennel 🐾

Credit scores & credit cards

Latest Articles

Fresh takes on credit kennel that won't make you want to chase your tail.

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Choosing the Right Credit Card to Build Your Credit in Canada

Navigating the world of credit cards as a new immigrant in Canada can be tricky, but understanding your options can set you on the right financial path. Let's explore secured and entry-level cards to help you build that all-important credit history.

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Roth IRA and Traditional IRA Unpacked

Dive into the playful world of retirement accounts as we compare Roth and Traditional IRAs, highlighting the differences and tax implications in a fun and engaging way.

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Finding Your Perfect Number of Credit Cards

Navigating the credit card landscape can be tricky, but understanding how many cards to have can empower you to manage your finances effectively. Let's explore the balance between flexibility and risk, and find your ideal setup.

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Is Now the Time to Refinance Your Student Loans

With interest rates dropping, refinancing student loans might seem like a no-brainer, but don't rush in just yet. Weigh the pros and cons and consider the benefits you might lose before making a decision.

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Enjoy Life While Crushing Credit Card Debt

Learn how to tackle your credit card debt without sacrificing the fun in life. Discover strategies to balance paying off $8,000 in debt while still enjoying social activities and hobbies.

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Tackling High-Interest Debt While Building Your Future

Navigating the balance between paying off high-interest debt and contributing to your 401(k) can be tricky. Let’s explore how to tackle that debt while still setting yourself up for a bright financial future.

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Mastering the Art of Living Within Your Means

Discover the key to avoiding debt by embracing the simple yet powerful principle of living within your means. Learn how to make smart financial choices and enjoy life without the burden of credit card debt.

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Build Your Credit Without the Balance Game

Discover how to build your credit score without carrying a balance and debunk the myth that you need to do so. Learn smart strategies to boost your credit health.

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Deciding Between Medical Debt and Credit Card Debt

Confused about whether to tackle your medical bills or high-interest credit card debt first? This guide breaks down the options in a fun, relatable way to help you make the best choice for your financial health.

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Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Financial Advisor

Finding the right financial advisor is like casting the perfect superhero team; you want to make sure each member has the right skills, values, and powers to help you conquer your financial goals.

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How Small Side Incomes Can Impact Your Tax Filing

Navigating the world of side incomes and taxes can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while riding a unicycle. Let’s break down how those extra bucks can affect your tax situation and what you need to know to keep things simple.

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Navigating the Changing Landscape of Credit Card Rewards

Explore the world of credit card rewards as we share stories from users about cards that have held their value versus those that have taken a hit. Get ready to learn what makes a solid rewards card in today’s shifting environment.

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Are Credit Card Rewards Losing Their Spark?

Many credit card users are feeling let down as rewards dwindle and categories shift. Let's explore the stories behind these changes and how savvy consumers are adapting.

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How Many Credit Cards Are Too Many

Navigating the world of credit cards can be tricky, but understanding how to manage multiple cards can help you enjoy their benefits without the stress.

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To Itemize or Not to Itemize That's the Tax Question

Navigating tax season as a freelancer or side hustler can feel like a choose-your-own-adventure book. This guide will help you decide between tracking every expense or taking the standard deduction, with tips on what works best for many in your shoes.

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What Happens If You Miss a Credit Card Payment by a Few Days

Missing a credit card payment can feel like a scene from a dramatic movie, but the reality is often less dire than you might think. Discover what really happens when you miss a payment and how others have navigated similar situations.

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Tackling Credit Card Debt or Boosting Your Retirement Fund

Deciding between paying off credit card debt and contributing to your retirement account can feel like choosing between two blockbuster movies. Each option has its merits, but understanding how they stack up can help you make the best financial decision.

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Are Rewards Programs Losing Their Spark

Many users are noticing shifts in rewards programs, from expiring points to shrinking categories and lower cash-back rates. Let’s explore whether it’s time to switch cards and what that means for your wallet.

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The Sneaky Side of Cash-Back Credit Cards

Cash-back credit cards are losing their charm as issuers change reward structures and tweak fine print. Let’s uncover how to navigate this evolving landscape.

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Why Getting a Credit Card at 18 Can Be a Smart Move

Navigating the world of credit cards as a young adult can be challenging, especially when family concerns come into play. Here’s how to understand the benefits of your Discover student card while easing your parents' worries.

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Decoding Your First Credit Card and Mom's Advice

Navigating the world of credit can be tricky, especially with well-meaning but confusing advice from parents. Let's break down what really matters for building your credit score as a young adult.

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Balancing Family Debt and Your Financial Future

Navigating the delicate situation of helping a parent in debt while trying to build your own financial foundation can be tricky. Here's how to find balance and make informed decisions.

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Did a 0% Balance Transfer Take Away My Purchase Grace Period

Navigating balance transfers and their impact on grace periods can feel like stepping into a financial maze. Let’s break it down in a fun and approachable way to see how your 0% balance transfer might be affecting your new purchases.

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Choosing Your First Student Credit Card: Weighing Benefits Against Fees

Navigating your first student credit card can feel like a real-life treasure hunt. With a stellar credit score and a new job, it's the perfect time to explore the balance between 0% intro APR, rewards, and annual fees. Let's dive into how to choose wisely and what’s worked for others.

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Navigating the Student Loan Minefield as Rules Tighten

Proposed changes to student loan forgiveness programs have Redditors buzzing with concern about eligibility and repayment plans. Let's break down what this means for borrowers and how to stay informed and prepared.

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Untangling the SAVE and IDR Payment Mysteries

Navigating the complexities of student loan repayment can feel like a plot twist in a confusing movie. Let's break down the payment count discrepancies and how to tackle them with clarity.

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What You Need to Know About New Repayment Rules Coming in 2026

Starting in July 2026, new borrowers will see changes in federal student loan repayment plans, primarily moving toward the Repayment Assistance Plan and standard options, while older Income-Driven Repayment plans will gradually be phased out but preserved for those who already have them.

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Should You Pay Off $140K in Student Loans or Bet on Forgiveness in 2035

Navigating the world of student loans can feel like facing off against a boss level in a video game. With $140K in student loans at 6% APR and the prospect of forgiveness in 2035, you have some tough choices to make. Dive into the pros and cons of paying now, investing, or banking on forgiveness, while keeping an eye out for the potential tax bomb that could come in the future.

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Lessons About Debt From Mom and Dad

Exploring the good and bad lessons about debt that parents pass down can help you navigate your own financial journey. From maxing student loans to savvy credit habits, let's dive into what your upbringing might have taught you.

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The Year Credit Cards Went Rogue

Navigating the wild world of credit cards in 2025 feels like surviving a reality TV show where the challenges just keep getting tougher. Here’s the lowdown on recent changes that have left many cardholders feeling a bit betrayed.

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Why 2025 Might Be the Year of Credit Card Regret

Reddit users are buzzing about 2025 being a tough year for credit card holders due to rising fees and devalued rewards. Let's unpack what's going on and how to navigate the choppy waters of credit.

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Breaking Free from Capital One Bucketed Cards

Explore the world of Capital One bucketed cards and discover how some cardholders have managed to escape their low credit limits with clever strategies and shared experiences.

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Build Credit Now or Wait for a Job

Deciding between getting a secured credit card and waiting for employment can be tricky. Let's explore your options for building credit at 18 and how a secured card can be an excellent first step.

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Keep That Low Limit Card or Upgrade Fast

Deciding whether to stick with a low limit credit card or to upgrade can be tricky. Let's break down the pros and cons of both options to help you make the best choice for your financial journey.

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Credit Myths Unleashed to Boost Your Financial Health

Dive into the world of credit as we debunk common myths that may be holding you back from achieving pawsitive financial health. Let's separate fact from fiction and empower you with the knowledge to take control of your credit journey.

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Mastering Your Debt: Strategies That Even Superman Would Envy

Debt may feel like a supervillain in your financial story, but with the right strategies, you can take control and emerge victorious. Let's explore effective debt management strategies that will have you feeling like a financial superhero in no time!

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Credit Score: Your Financial Report Card

Think of your credit score as the ultimate report card for your financial habits. Just like grades in school, a good credit score can open doors while a bad one can make you feel like you're stuck in detention.

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Credit Cards: Friend or Foe?

Dive into the world of credit cards and discover how they can be your best ally or your biggest nemesis. Learn the ins and outs of credit cards, how to use them wisely, and avoid potential pitfalls.