Happy New Year from Credit Karma! Welcome to the first edition of the year for our weekly roundup. Below you’ll find links on a number of credit and debt articles separated by category for easy perusal. Have a great rest of the weekend!

National Credit and Economic News:

• Wall Street Journal asks So What Do You Have To Do For a Loan?
• CNN Money says Bonds dip as auto industry gets rescue.
• Digerati Life on The Biggest Stock Investment Scam In History: How Does It Affect Us?
• Money Smart Life posts on Dealing with Fear of the Economic Downturn.

Credit Scores:

• Coloradoan says sometimes, price reduction isn’t best choice.
• Arizona Republic writes boosting the credit-scoring system.
• Arch City Homes offers some Steps to Improve Your Credit Score.
• Millionaire Now! posts Managing and Protecting Your Credit.
• Money Under Thirty discusses the Resolution: Improve Your Credit Score.

Credit Cards:

• Houston Chronicle says Interest rates fall for popular credit card types.
• The Consumerist writes How Universities And Credit Card Companies Make Money Off Of Students.
• They cancelled my credit card says Christian PF.

Debt:

• Blogging Away Debt posts My Thoughts on Debt.
• World Socialist Web Site looks at The World Economic Crisis: A Marxist Analysis.
• Realms of Prosperity looks at Investing Now vs. Removing Debt.
• Blogging Stocks asks Will your credit card company forgive 70% of what you owe?
• Savvy Frugality says Build Your Own Bailout!
• Frugal Dad asks Would You Sell All Material Possessions For Debt Freedom?

News and Carnivals Featuring Credit Karma:

• Living Debt Free posted Check Your Credit Score for Free at CreditKarma.com.
• Kim Komando mentions CK in sites help you get your finances in order.
• Mentioned in Uncrunch America with Change.org at Lazy Man and Money.

Photo Credits: 1

Christmas is only a few days away now. What are your plans for the holidays this year? Are you staying home or visiting? No matter what you’ll be doing Credit Karma wishes you and yours a terrific few days spent together with family and friends. We’ll see you here next week.

National Credit and Economic News:

• Free From Broke offers 8 Ways The Economic Crisis Can Be Good For You.
• Get Rich Slowly looks into Three Legislative Proposals That Could Have Major Consequences for Your Finances.
• Palm Beach Posts says Credit lines shrink even at prime level
• Forbes wonders After The Bailout, Tariffs?
• Business Week writes Air Fares Are Plunging, Along with Traffic.

Credit Scores:

• Star Telegram asks Why check your credit report?
• Wall Street Journal says Credit Unions Offer Auto Deals.
• New Credit Scoring System Ready for ‘09 writes Kiplinger.

Credit Cards:

• A My Two Dollars’ reader faces this dilemma: Pay Off Credit Card Balance Or Keep Emergency Fund?
• Stop Buying Crap writes Credit Cards Made a Little Less Evil with New Industry Rules.
• Digerati Life asks Applying For A Credit Card? Review The Credit Card Bill of Rights!
• Read the highlights of new credit card rules over at The Sun’s Financial Diary.
• American Banker says Card Rules Done, Now for the Makeover.
• Blueprint for Financial Prosperity on the subject of the Best Charity Credit Cards.
• The Economist talks about a nudge in the wrong direction when it comes to credit cards.

Debt:

• Mr. ToughMoneyLove posts The College Student Debt Machine: A National Disgrace.
• Cash Money Life says less debt, and more income!
• FT publishes holiday home equity used to pay off UK debts.
• New York Times presents Governor to Unveil a Low-Cost Student Loan Program.

News and Carnivals Featuring Credit Karma:

• Rickety for Credit Karma Checkup.
• Dec 15 Edition of The Holiday Spirit at Systems Overload.
• Carnival of Credit Report Stories at Lava.

Photo Credits: 1

Good morning readers! Below are several articles pulled for your reading pleasure. We hope you find them useful and interesting. They’re sorted by category or topic of interest to make finding and selecting reads easier. Have a great rest of the weekend and we’ll see you here again next week.

National Credit and Economic News:

• The Columbus Dispatch writes $2 trillion in credit may be cut.
• Chicago Tribune announces banks cutting credit; how to keep yours.
• The Wall Street Journal on How You Can Rebuild Your Wealth.
• Subprime Blogger talks about Recession vs. Depression.
• Financial Blogger posts A Banker’s Perspective On The Banking Industry.

Credit Scores:

• My Desert says credit scores get analyzed more than ever.
• The Consumerist on Hard And Soft Credit Inquiries, And How One Hurts Your Credit Score.
• Forbes offers these ways to Improve Your Credit Score.
• American Consumer News asks Bad Credit? Getting a Loan Can Be Difficult.

Credit Cards:

• CNN on the Money with this Web Extra: How to Manage Credit When You’ve Lost Your Job.
• Frugal Dad on The Pros and Cons of Credit Cards.
• Generation X Finance posts Be on the Lookout for Fraudulent Credit and Debt Card Charges From ADELE SERVICES 800-764-8104 or GFDL
• Money Ning gives 15 Tips About ATM and Check Card Safety.

Debt:

• Los Angeles Times advices pay down the credit card, then the home equity loan.
• The Sun’s Financial Diary offers these ideas on How to Use Your Credit Card without Going in Debt.
• The Wisdom Journal wonders if Anyone Feels Sorry For Debt Collectors?
• Credit Card Forum posts Credit Card Debt: [Honestly] How Bad Is It?
• Money Hawk writes Let’s NOT Loan Money to Family and Friends…
• The Happy Rock asks Student Debt…How Much is Too Much?

News and Carnivals Featuring Credit Karma:

• CK’s press release with International Business Times.
• CK’s press release with Earth Times.
• 42nd money hacks carnival: laid-off and freelancing edition at Financial Wellness Project.
• Computer Finance says Credit Karma Uses Advertising Model to Take on Subscription Model in Credit Score Monitoring.
• Brief shoutout from Debt Chronicles in Credit Score Increased!

Photo Credits: 1

Hello and welcome to the first roundup of December. Who has their Christmas tree and lights up already? Or all their Hanukkah decorations out? We at Credit Karma hope that your holiday season is a bright one this year.

National Credit and Economic News:

• The San Francisco Chronicle says you can qualify for mortgage, it’s just tougher.
• Forbes on the Motown Rebound.
• The Wall Street Journal writes Markets in a Holding Pattern.
• CNN Money says credit crunch burning solar industry.
• Business Week presents Top CEOs on the Recession.
• FT posts Democrats fail to gain Senate super-majority.
• Seeking Alpha writes Oil Won’t Drop Forever.

Credit Scores:

• The Examiner looks into Holiday shopping and your credit score.
• The Dough Roller presents 7 Unexpected Ways Your Credit Score Affects Your Finances
• Credit Bloggers asks How will taking on an extra $7,000 in debt hurt my credit score?
• Huntsville on How Credit Score Affect Mortgage Loans
• Credit Card News posts Maintain the Best Rates and Credit Scores.

Credit Cards:

• Bible Money Matters writes When Canceling A Credit Card, Be Ready For The Emotional Appeals To Stay.
• Atlantic Journal Constitution says credit card companies quick to raise rates, fees.
• Christian Personal Finance blogs Another thing I didn’t know about credit cards
• Poorer Than You presents Five Tricks I Used to Pay Off My Credit Card.
• Budgets Are Sexy says It’s all about the Credit Cards baby! 4 Steps to Success.

Debt:

• Smarter Wallet writes Got Debt Over The Holidays? How To Eliminate Debt Quickly.
• American Consumer News says Diamonds Are Forever - Well, So Is Debt.
• Debt Free Destiny on Debt Settlement vs Debt Consolidation.
• Gather Little by Little asks When is something too expensive?

News about Credit Karma:

• Blueprint for Financial Prosperity publishes Free FICO Credit Score Estimates.

Photo Credits: 1

Good morning everyone, welcome to another edition of the Credit Karma roundup. We hope your Thanksgiving weekend was a great one. The four day weekends are an excellent way to get rejuvenated and the winter holiday season is just around the corner.

National Credit and Economic News:

• Market Watch posts as card issuers hike rates, consumers forced to work harder to protect credit.
• A look at Holiday on Wall Street as Yen for Risk Returns by Smart Money.
• NY Times says Food Prices Expected to Keep Going Up.
• FT announces that AIG is to pay retention bonuses to executives.
• Fed Aid Sets Off a Rush to Refinance writes the Wall Street Journal.

Credit Scores:

• Consumer Credit Help answers this reader question on How a No-Limit Credit Card Can Affect Your Credit Score.
• Real Estate Professionals Redding posts TIPS TO PUMP UP YOUR CREDIT SCORE!
• Washington Posts and Your 10-Point Credit Checkup.
• Credit Scores Even More Key In A Tight Economy writes NPR.

Credit Cards:

• LA Times writes How to get a lower rate on a credit card.
• Money Savvy on Credit Cards For Bad Credit to Help Rebuild Credit History.
• Free Money Finance blogs Protecting Your Identity This Holiday Season.
• CNBC warns consumers in Buyer Beware: Store Credit Cards.
• Daily Markets and Why We’re Bearish On Credit Cards.

Debt:

• The Motley Fool says De-Leverage Your Wallet.
• Angelica Credit Issues offers 11 Secrets to Paying Off Credit Card Debts.
• The Simple Dollar asks Is Debt Necessary For Generating Income?
• Seeking Alpha writes Living on Debt Gives Way to Fiscal Prudence.
• Wise Bread asks Do we really need help with getting more debt?

News about Credit Karma:

• Seeking Alpha writes Credit Karma Uses Ad Model to Provide Free Credit Information.
• FlipKey posts Attracting trusted vacation rental guests - Targeting those with good credit can help.

Photo Credits: 1

Welcome to the latest in Credit Karma’s weekly roundup. We have a lot of interesting articles for you today under the usual categories of interest. Take a few minutes and sit back with some of our weekend reading material.

National Credit News:

• American Banker writes Citi Forecasts Growth in Loan Losses
• Forbes on The Next Economic Shoe To Drop.
• Wall Street Journal says Big Three CEOs Plead for Aid.
• CNN Money announces Consumer prices in record decline.

Credit Scores:

• The Sun News warns Keep watch on credit reports.
• Baltimore Sun writes Know before you borrow.
• She got the car, he got the bad credit score says LA Times.
• Improving your credit score is very important posts Bradenton Herald.
• CNBC publishes The ‘Parallel Universe’ of Credit Scores.
• Channel 2, WCBSTV, gives this Consumer Report: Improve Your Credit Score.

Credit Cards:

• Chase Bank Offers to Lower Auto Payments by $44 writes NetBanker.
• Credit Card Blog announces Visa Testing New Feature To Combat Credit Card Fraud.
• Blueprint for Financial Prosperity says Notify Credit Cards of International Travel.
• Credit Cards: Transfer Your Balance information given by Young Money.

Debt:

• Seeking Alpha asks Isn’t Deflation a Good Thing?
• NY Times writes Convertible Debt Is Hanging Heavy.
• The Happy Rock posts the Fundamental Problem With Debt Consolidation.
• Think Your Way to Wealth blogs Going from Debt to Wealth- A Closer Look at Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps Plan.
• 6 Tips for Reducing Your Debt posted by Debt Aim.

News about Credit Karma:

• Bloomberg writes Credit Scores More Important Than Ever for Best U.S. Loan Rates.
• Digerati Life recommended our blog in the post On Savings Account Strategies, Weight Loss and Healthy Recipes!
• My Credit Is Ahead of the Curve says Miahz.

Photo Credits: 1

Another edition of Credit Karma’s roundup is ready for reading. Below you’ll find links to blog and news articles on the economy, credit scores, credit cards, debt, and Credit Karma. Thrown in are some links for Holiday shopping for those looking to navigate this season’s financial waters.

National Credit News:

• Credit crunch? Your intrepid correspondent tests the waters at the Atlantic.
• CIT Applies for Bank Holding Status announces American Banker.
• Wal-Mart Tightens Its Belt writes Forbes.
• Wall Street says Growth Not Likely Until Mid-2009.
• Why GM can’t survive bankruptcy by CNN Money.

Credit Scores:

• Learn more Credit facts and fallacies over the Examiner.
• The LA Times asks does paying old debts help credit score?
• It Pays to Keep Your Credit Clean says the Wall Street Journal.
• USNews offers these Five Ways to Make Sure You Qualify for New Car Financing
• Credit Favors looks at Controlling Your Credit Score.
• Forbes discusses Shopping Without Credit.
• Smart Money Wallet blogs Going Shopping? Avoid The Layaway Plan!

Credit Cards:

• Ask Mr. Credit Card posts Negotiating With Your Credit Card Company.
• Money Review AU asks Credit Card or a Loan?
• The Happy Rock blogs about Getting A Credit Card Late Fee Removed.
• Extreme Personal Finance provides Balance Transfer Credit Cards - An Overview.

Debt:

• Money Roots writes about the Benefits of Using Debt Consolidation Calculators.
• IRS Tax Debt: IRS Tax Debt Will Make the Phone Ring Off the Hook! says IRS Hitman.
• Banks Want To Forgive Credit Card Debt — But The Government Says No blogs the Consumerist.
• Here are 6 tips for a debt free Christmas by Christian PF.

News about Credit Karma:

• The Best Blogs mentions us in It’s Holiday Hurting Season for Retailers.
• Narrow Bridge Adventures offers up these tools in Your Personal Finance Arsenal
• 5 Cent Nickel posts Free Credit Scores from Credit Karma
• Freaking Fees provides Four Tips to Save Money on FICO Credit Scores
• Rich Credit Debt Loan links to Credit Karma in Resisting Panic: A Quick Guide to Surviving The Credit Crunch.
• The Wallet (WS Journal) gives us a shout in Why You Might Actually Want a Retail Credit Card

Photo Credits: TIO…

Credit Karma welcomes our new president. This years election brought out a lot of voters to the polls. Congratulations on winning the election President-Elect Obama, we hope your next four years in office exceed your expectations.

While voting was going on so was a lot of news on the economy and credit. Below are several links we’ve pulled from the past week for your reading pleasure. Have a good Sunday, everyone we’ll see you on Monday.

National Credit News:

• New York Times writes Bank Survey Shows Credit Is Growing Even Tighter
• Bears get back to business says Market Watch.
• J.P. Morgan in Huge Effort to Save Mortgages publishes Wall Street Journal.
• NPR says Consumers Wary As U.S. Economy Shrinks.
• American Banker posts Wells Fargo to Offer $10B in Common Stock

Credit Scores:

• The Christian Science Monitor points out The ‘Catch 22′ of consumer credit.
• The Sun News Myrtle Beach explains Your FICO credit score is made up of five factors of varying importance.
• The Statesman says be sure to Check your credit health before the holidays.
• Political Ground Zero writes on Credit Score Repair.

Credit Cards:

• Expect Tidal Wave Of Limit Reductions and Credit Card Closures to Hit Before Christmas says Get Out of Debt.
• Money Smart Life presents the Worst Rewards Credit Cards - What’s Hidden in the Fine Print
• Accumulating Money looks into Credit Cards vs Debit Cards - A Comparison
• Dr. Nancy writes Credit cards - what I want my kids to know

Debt:

• Financing Plans says Understanding The Importance Of Credit Card Debt Consolidation is fundamental.
• My sister: Demolished $20K debt in 2 years says MoneyMateKate.
• Geezeo presents 5 Things That Can Quickly Put You Into Debt
• Investing vs. Paying Down Debt - Which Way Should You Go asks the Personal Finance Analyst?

News about Credit Karma:

• 11 Alive publishes the following guide: Websites Help You Manage Your Money
• Make Use of presents 5 Online Tools to Help You Manage Your Money.
• The Smarter Wallet posts Face The Credit Crisis By Avoiding Debt and Credit.

Photo Credits: 1

There is much to read in this edition about the economy and credit. The photo for this edition was chosen because of the news headlines of a shrinking economy. We hope you appreciate the play with words and photos. Have a great weekend - we’ll see you for a new week of posts starting tomorrow.

National Credit News:

• U.S. Economy Shrinks on Weak Spending says Wall Street Journal.
• NPR writes U.S. Economy Contracts, Signaling Recession
• American Banker asks As Applicants Line Up, Is Fed Near Its Limit?
• MLive says banks becoming more picky when giving loans.
• Here is an editorial from Press Republican on learning from the crisis

Credit Scores:

• Press Democrat publishes surviving the new economy: know your score!
• Your money - tips to avoid damaging your credit score presented by Newsday.
• Dallas News writes Dollar Wise: Knowing difference between FDIC, FICO can keep you ahead.
• Credit Score Cowboy presents Credit Score 101, Do’s and Dont’s
• Top Reasons You Should Check Your Credit Score Regularly by Financial Independence.
• Boise Idaho Blog looks into What You Should Know About Your FICO Score.

Credit Cards:

• Learn about The Credit Card Nightmare by Find Secured Cards.
• Credit Repair Facts presents Credit cards and Bankruptcy
• Consumer Commentary asks Should the Bailout Money Be Used to Forgive Credit Card Debt?
• Money Ning warns to Watch Out for Possible Credit Card Scams.
• Stop The Flow Of Credit Card Offers To Your Mailbox says My Two Dollars.

Debt:

• Green Taxi looks into Great Depression 2.0: 90% More Downside.
• NCN presents 10 Things That Will Happen On The Road Between Being In Debt And Being Debt Free
• Get Out of Debt talks about Bad Credit Debt Consolidation - Brutally Honest Advice.

News about Credit Karma:

• Live Styler does a One on One With Credit Karma’s Kenneth Lin
• Lazy Man and Money writes up Credit Karma’s Credit Simulator (and Other Credit Tools)
• IRS Hitman mentions us briefly in right this way.
• Trapez-Finance posts Credit Card Reviews For Customer.
• Fivonate 2008 | Credit Karma at eFinance Forward

Photo Credits: 1

This week’s roundup takes a look into the blogosphere on credit cards and credit scores. There’s a bit on debt and the national credit crisis for those looking into those subjects. It’s important to keep yourself well informed of what is going on in the economy. We hope you enjoy the edition - drop us a line.

National Credit News:

• Stocks Flat on Slowdown Fears writes Wall Street Journal.
• Business Week writes that U.S. Banks Still Aren’t Lending.
• Forbes talks on The Mother Of Credit Crunches
• Smart Money says that the Credit Crunch Still Has a Ways to Go

Credit Scores:

• CNN Money discusses improving your credit score
• Your Money: Experts say a stronger credit score can save you money writes UTICAOD.
• Take control of your credit score says Sun Sentinel.
• CNBC On the Money provides some Easy Ways to Boost Your Credit

Credit Cards:

• Credit Card Defaults Set to Spike announces Yielding Wealth.
• The Sun’s Financial Diary posts some of The Secrets of Successful Credit Management.
• Motley Fool looks at the bright and dark sides of progress.
• Two Get One gives these Hints for Moving with Credit Cards
• How to buy a car with a credit card — and when not to by Credit Cards
• Credit card problems, a dirty little secret at banks posts Blogging Stocks.
• Easy Change says Don’t Be Fooled - Even ‘A’ Credit Won’t Save You!

Debt:

• Wise Bread blogs on Sexually Transmitted Debt: Eewww!
• More People Struggling With Credit Card Debt says Thistle Finance.
• Debt Repair Online talks about Getting Out of Debt with Debt Consolidation Services.
• I’ve Paid for This Twice Already posts Credit Card Debt The Next National Financial Disaster?
• Be Familiar with the Risk of Credit Card Debt writes Global Finance.

News about Credit Karma:

• Credit Karma Credit Score Simulator Wins Best in Show at Finovate 2008 over at Market Watch.
• Larry Ferlazzo blogs on Credit Karma.
• OpTempo writes Credit Karma Introduces Credit Simulator.
• The Life, The Dream, The Pursuit says WHAT?? A Free Credit Report with Projections!
• A Woman’s Worth briefly posts on Credit Karma Offers FREE Credit Report.
• Vision Wiz says Credit Karma offers a new way to track your credit score and a unique way to benefit from it.
• Yielding Wealth asks What If…? Find Out What Certain Actions Will Do to Your Credit Score
• How To Pull Your Credit Score for Free by Narrow Bridge Adventures.

Photo Credits: 1