Learn the fundamentals of credit scores, how they're calculated, why they matter, and practical habits that can help you build a stronger financial foundation

Thinking about buying a home? This course will help you understand the key financial and planning steps to prepare for homeownership. Inside, you'll find helpful information and a downloadable PDF checklist to help you stay organized and track your progress with confidence.

Learn what a credit report is, what information it contains, how to read it, and what common errors to look for. At the end of this course, you'll receive a free downloadable Credit Report Review Checklist to help you review your report with confidence.

Learn why closing an old credit card isn't always the best choice. This short lesson from Lily's Credit Academy will help you understand key factors to consider before making decisions about your credit accounts.

Welcome to another lesson from Lily's Credit Academy! 🐸 Life gets busy, and everyone faces challenges from time to time. But when it comes to your credit, consistent financial habits can make a meaningful difference over time. In this lesson, you'll learn why your patterns matter more than your excuses and how small actions can help build healthier financial habits.

Making payments on time is one of the most important financial habits you can build. In this lesson, you'll learn why payment history matters and how staying consistent can support your long-term financial goals.

There's a lot of misinformation about credit. In this course, we'll separate common myths from real facts to help you make informed financial decisions with confidence.

Learn how long negative information may stay on your credit report and why understanding credit reporting timelines is important. This lesson will help you understand your credit history, stay informed about your credit profile, and make more confident financial decisions. 🐸💚

Learn how credit utilization affects your credit score and discover practical strategies to keep your balances healthy and build stronger credit.

Learn the difference between credit inquiries, how they affect your credit score, and when you should or shouldn't be concerned.

Your credit history is more than just a record of your accounts—it helps lenders understand your experience managing credit over time. In this course, you'll learn what credit age is, why it matters, how the average age of your accounts is calculated, and practical tips to build a stronger credit profile. You'll also receive a FREE Credit History Tracker to help you monitor your accounts and make informed financial decisions

Take control of your credit with a clear, step-by-step approach to understanding and improving your credit profile. Learn how to review your credit report, prioritize credit issues, manage utilization, build healthy payment habits, and avoid common credit mistakes.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Rebuilding Stronger Credit Habits Financial setbacks can make rebuilding credit feel overwhelming, but your current credit situation doesn't have to define your financial future. This course walks you through the practical steps of assessing your credit, understanding what is affecting your profile, rebuilding positive habits, managing existing debt, and creating a realistic plan for moving forward.

Understanding your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI) helps you see how your monthly debt payments compare to your income. In this course, you'll learn how to calculate your DTI, understand front-end vs. back-end DTI, identify debts that may be included, and discover practical ways to improve your ratio. You'll also learn how to organize your debts and create a realistic action plan for a stronger financial position.

Going through a divorce or separation can bring major financial changes that may affect your credit. In this course, you’ll learn how joint accounts, shared debts, payments, and financial responsibilities can impact your credit. You’ll also discover practical steps to protect your credit, manage accounts, review your credit reports, and rebuild your financial independence.

Losing a job can put pressure on your finances and make it harder to keep up with bills and debt payments. This course will help you understand how job loss can affect your credit, prioritize your payments, manage debt, communicate with creditors, and create a realistic plan to rebuild your financial stability.

Learn how to better understand, organize, and manage medical debt while protecting your credit. This course covers reviewing medical bills, understanding EOBs, spotting billing errors, exploring payment options, handling collection accounts, monitoring your credit, and creating a realistic payment plan. Take it one step at a time, stay organized, and move forward with greater confidence.

Learn how to build a strong credit foundation and develop healthy financial habits in your 20s. This course covers understanding credit scores, opening and managing your first credit accounts, making on-time payments, managing credit utilization, avoiding common mistakes, monitoring your credit, and preparing for future financial goals.

Learn how to recognize predatory lending practices, understand common credit traps, and make more informed borrowing decisions. This course will help you identify warning signs, understand loan costs and fees, protect your credit, and know what questions to ask before accepting a loan or credit offer.

Learn what mortgage lenders may look for when reviewing your credit and overall financial profile. This course covers credit scores, payment history, credit utilization, DTI, credit history, new credit, collections, and other factors that may affect mortgage readiness. You'll also create a practical action plan and get a free Mortgage Credit Readiness Checklist to help organize your next steps toward homeownership.

A vehicle repossession can feel like a major financial setback, but it doesn't have to define your financial future. In this course, you'll learn what happens after a repossession, how to understand deficiency balances, review your credit report, address potential errors, manage remaining debt, and rebuild responsible credit habits. You'll also create a personalized recovery plan and receive a free Post-Repossession Credit Recovery Checklist to guide your next steps.

Learn how authorized-user accounts work and how they may affect your credit profile. This course covers the potential benefits and risks, the difference between primary cardholders and authorized users, what to review before becoming an authorized user, and how to make informed decisions based on your financial goals. You'll also receive a free Authorized User Benefits & Risks Checklist to help guide your decision.

Learn how to recognize common credit-related scams and protect yourself from misleading offers. This course covers credit repair scams, fake promises, suspicious fees, identity theft risks, debt-relief scams, and warning signs to watch for. You'll also learn how to verify financial services, what to do if you suspect a scam, and how to create your own scam-protection plan. Includes a free Credit Scam Red Flags Checklist.

Not all credit scores are the same. In this course, you'll learn what FICO Scores are, how they differ from VantageScore and other scoring models, why your scores can vary, and which factors may influence them. You'll also learn what scores lenders may use and how to focus on building a strong overall credit profile.

Living paycheck to paycheck can feel overwhelming, but small changes can create more financial breathing room. In this course, you'll learn how to track your spending, prioritize essential expenses, manage bills and debt, build a small emergency buffer, reduce unnecessary expenses, and create healthier financial habits. Includes a free Financial Reset Checklist to help you organize your next steps.

Not all loan offers are created equal. In this course, you'll learn how to compare interest rates, APR, monthly payments, loan terms, fees, total costs, and important loan conditions. You'll also learn how to spot red flags and choose an offer that fits your budget and financial goals. Includes a free Loan Offer Comparison Checklist to help you compare offers with confidence.

Learn how public records and credit reports work, what information may appear on your credit report, and how negative information can affect your financial goals. This course covers bankruptcies, reporting timelines, credit report errors, disputes, and practical steps for building stronger credit. Includes a free Public Records & Credit Report Checklist to help you review your credit information with confidence.

Learn what happens to your credit after a foreclosure and what you can do to rebuild. This course explains how foreclosure can affect your credit, how long it may impact your credit profile, what to review on your credit report, and practical steps to rebuild your credit and prepare for future financial goals.