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Credit by the numbers
Sources: FICO, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
714
Average FICO score in the US
26%
Of Americans have subprime credit
$45K
Avg lifetime cost of poor credit
84
Avg pts gained with Apex
More from the library
8 articles
Counseling
Derogatory marks: what they are and how to remove them
A derogatory mark on your credit report can drop your score by 100+ points. Here's exactly what counts as derogatory and how to challenge it.
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Reports
How to remove collections from your credit report
A complete playbook for removing collections accounts — from validation letters to pay-for-delete negotiations.
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Scores
What is a good credit score?
FICO score ranges, what counts as 'good,' and the realistic financial impact of moving from fair to excellent credit.
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Reports
How late payments affect your credit report
Why a single late payment can crush your score, how long it sticks around, and the exact steps to soften — or remove — the damage.
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Scores
What is a bad credit score?
Where 'bad credit' starts, what it costs you in real dollars, and the fastest realistic path back to good standing.
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Scores
How to check your credit score (for free)
Every legitimate way to pull your credit score and full reports — without paying a cent or hurting your score.
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Strategy
How quickly will my credit score update after an error is removed?
When you can expect your score to move after a successful dispute — and what to do if it doesn't update on time.
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Tips
How to repair your credit yourself
A do-it-yourself credit repair playbook — every step a paid service takes, broken down so you can do it on your own.
Read articleStay in the know
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