Jim Akin

Jim Akin

Jim Akin is freelance writer based in Connecticut. With experience as both a journalist and a marketing professional, his most recent focus has been in the area of consumer finance and credit scoring. Whether writing about financial services, personal computing or enterprise software, he aims to understand explain how products and services address the needs of their everyday users, and how users can get the most from them.

Popular articles from Jim

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How to Contact the Credit Bureaus

The national credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) each offer multiple communi...

Jan 30, 2025Credit report & scores

Will Being an Authorized User Help My Credit?

Apr 30, 2024Improve credit

How to Request a Security Freeze for a Minor Child’s Credit Report

Nov 11, 2023Kids

Credit Freeze and Credit Lock: What’s The Difference?

Jul 23, 2024Security freeze

What Is the Difference Between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

Apr 5, 2024Bankruptcy

What Should My Credit Limit Be Based on My Income?

Jun 25, 2024Credit limits

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Short Sale vs. Foreclosure: What’s the Difference?

If you’re unable to pay your mortgage, or in a situation where you owe more on your home t...

Jun 20, 2025Mortgage

How to Reduce Closing Costs

Closing costs are upfront payments you must make when you finalize a home purchase. The co...

May 29, 2025Mortgage

What Are FHA Closing Costs?

Closing costs associated with FHA loans—mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administra...

May 19, 2025Mortgage

What Is Mortgage Deferment?

Mortgage deferment is short-term financial relief available on some loans, by which you po...

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What to Know About VA Loan Closing Costs

VA loans—mortgages issued by or with the backing of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affair...

Apr 18, 2025Mortgage

What Are Bank-Owned Properties?

A bank-owned property, also known as a real estate-owned (REO) property, is a home that be...

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Whose Credit Score Is Used on a Joint Auto Loan?

If you apply for a joint auto loan, the lender will likely request credit scores for you a...

Apr 3, 2025Auto loans

How Does Car Loan Forbearance Affect Credit?

Payment deferment, the most common form of car loan forbearance, typically does not affect...

Mar 21, 2025Auto loans

Does a Car Loan Help Build Credit?

While getting a car loan in and of itself won’t necessarily impact your credit scores much...

Mar 11, 2025Auto loans

How Long Do Charge-Offs Stay on Your Credit Report?

If a lender cannot collect a debt you owe, a negative entry called a charge-off appears on...

Jan 24, 2025Negative information