Debt & Credit

Clear explanations of credit scores, debt types, and responsible borrowing practices.

Before You Borrow: A Checklist for Evaluating Any Loan or Credit Product
Featured · Debt & Credit

Before You Borrow: A Checklist for Evaluating Any Loan or Credit Product

Work through key questions about interest rates, fees, repayment terms, and your own finances before taking on new debt.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 6 min · Oct 28, 2025
Credit & Debt from the Ground Up: A Primer for First-Time Borrowers
Debt & Credit

Credit & Debt from the Ground Up: A Primer for First-Time Borrowers

New to borrowing? This guide walks through credit reports, debt types, interest, and how your financial habits build your record.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 8 min · Dec 25, 2023
Credit Scores Decoded: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Debt & Credit

Credit Scores Decoded: What the Numbers Actually Mean

Understand what your credit score represents, how it's calculated, and why different lenders may see different numbers.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 7 min · Feb 11, 2023
Credit Utilisation: The Ratio That Quietly Shapes Your Score
Debt & Credit

Credit Utilisation: The Ratio That Quietly Shapes Your Score

Learn how credit utilisation is calculated, why it carries significant weight in scoring models, and how balances affect it.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 6 min · May 26, 2023
Debt Avalanche vs. Debt Snowball: Choosing a Repayment Strategy That Fits
Debt & Credit

Debt Avalanche vs. Debt Snowball: Choosing a Repayment Strategy That Fits

Compare two popular debt repayment methods — avalanche and snowball — and understand which situations each tends to suit.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 6 min · Feb 28, 2023
Debt Consolidation: What It Changes, What It Doesn't
Debt & Credit

Debt Consolidation: What It Changes, What It Doesn't

Debt consolidation can simplify repayments, but it comes with trade-offs. Here's a balanced look at how it works in practice.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 5 min · Oct 30, 2023
Factors That Affect Credit Scores Across Different Scoring Models
Debt & Credit

Factors That Affect Credit Scores Across Different Scoring Models

Payment history, credit mix, enquiries — see how major scoring categories work and how their weight varies by model.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 6 min · Nov 6, 2023
Financial Habits That Quietly Erode a Good Credit Standing
Debt & Credit

Financial Habits That Quietly Erode a Good Credit Standing

Some credit-damaging behaviours are easy to overlook. This piece explains the patterns that tend to hurt scores over time.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 5 min · Jun 14, 2023
Patterns That Define Responsible Long-Term Borrowing
Debt & Credit

Patterns That Define Responsible Long-Term Borrowing

Responsible borrowing isn't about avoiding debt — it's about managing it consistently. Here are the habits that support that goal.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 6 min · Apr 30, 2024
Reading Your Credit Report Without Getting Lost
Debt & Credit

Reading Your Credit Report Without Getting Lost

A section-by-section walkthrough of a standard credit report, explaining what each entry means and what to look out for.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 6 min · Aug 2, 2025
Revolving Credit vs. Instalment Loans: How Lenders View Each Differently
Debt & Credit

Revolving Credit vs. Instalment Loans: How Lenders View Each Differently

Credit cards and personal loans aren't the same in a lender's eyes. Understand the structural differences and their scoring impact.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 5 min · Dec 29, 2025
Secured vs. Unsecured Debt: How Each Type Affects Your Financial Position
Debt & Credit

Secured vs. Unsecured Debt: How Each Type Affects Your Financial Position

Explore the key differences between secured and unsecured debt, including risk, interest rates, and what happens if you default.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 6 min · Nov 25, 2023
The Debt & Credit Glossary: Essential Terms Every Borrower Should Know
Debt & Credit

The Debt & Credit Glossary: Essential Terms Every Borrower Should Know

A plain-language reference covering APR, utilisation rate, charge-offs, and dozens of other credit and debt terms.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 6 min · Jul 14, 2023
Understanding Debt and Credit: The Complete Reference
Debt & Credit

Understanding Debt and Credit: The Complete Reference

A comprehensive end-to-end resource covering credit scores, debt types, repayment strategies, and responsible borrowing.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 8 min · Sep 13, 2024
What Happens to Your Credit When You Miss a Payment
Debt & Credit

What Happens to Your Credit When You Miss a Payment

A missed payment triggers a sequence of events. This explainer maps out what happens, when it's reported, and how long it lingers.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 8 min · Apr 14, 2024
Why Carrying a Small Balance Does Not Improve Your Credit Score
Debt & Credit

Why Carrying a Small Balance Does Not Improve Your Credit Score

A persistent myth claims leaving a small credit card balance helps your score. Here's what the evidence actually shows.

By Money Matters Editorial Team · 6 min · Nov 5, 2023