Intuit Credit Karma
Since credit debt isn't exactly considered an income-booster, it's no wonder so many consumers forget how closely credit and taxes are intertwined. For insight into the little-known ways taxes and credit go hand in hand, we tapped Ken Lin, CEO of CreditKarma.com.
"I’m passionate about managing by results and data. As such, I spend half my day reviewing metrics. I analyze trends and look for areas of success and failure. I strongly believe that data is a driving force in the success of most companies."
Credit Karma, which offers free credit scores and scoring information, reports that residents in red states on average have lower credit scores than their blue-state cousins.
According to website CreditKarma.com, “Your bank and credit card accounts won’t merge once you’re married. But keep in mind that if you open a joint credit card, the account activity will be shared on both of your credit reports.”
"Many consumers are confused about what happens to their credit when they get married," says Ken Lin, CEO of Credit Karma.
These fresh-faced grads are being joined by an ever-growing cadre of returning students. According to credit score tracking site CreditKarma, the number of 35- to 49-year-olds who are borrowing money for college increased by 47% in the last three years.
Responsible use of credit cards is one of the most effective ways to build a good credit record. Consumers who don't own a credit card have average credit scores that are lower as compared to folks with at least one card, according to Credit Karma, a consumer website that provides free credit scores.
According to a recent report issued by CreditKarma.com, credit card debt declined 11 percent nationwide last year. However, it wasn't all good news. Credit scores saw a decline during that time as well.
Ken Lin, CEO of Credit Karma, told CNNMoney that the drop in debt is the result of weak consumer confidence, resulting in slower spending, tighter lending on the part of banks and lower credit limits.
Consumer credit advocate CreditKarma.com said residents in only nine states paid down their credit card debt in December from the previous month. Of those, six -- Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Oklahoma and Utah -- paid down less than 1 percent of their debt.