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A credit score simulator is an online tool that can help you see how certain behaviors and decisions might impact your credit score in the future. It might take your existing credit history into account and how certain actions could affect your credit score.

For example, perhaps you open a new credit card or have an account sent to collections. A credit score simulator would take these marks into consideration and help you estimate the impact they may have on your credit score.

What Is a Credit Score Simulator?

A credit score simulator is an online interactive tool that can help you assess how certain decisions or events will affect your credit score. Because everyone has a unique credit history, these tools can only help you to estimate the impact of changes to your credit score, rather than making this determination for certain.

Nevertheless, credit simulators can be useful, especially if you are working to improve your credit. There are many actions you could take that may affect your credit score — here are just a few examples:

•   Financing a home or car

•   Using a balance transfer credit card to consolidate your debt

•   Closing a credit card

•   Declaring bankruptcy

These are just a handful of the ways your credit score could rise or fall; there are many more examples. With so many possibilities, it can be difficult to predict how changes to your credit history will affect your credit score. Once you know what a credit card is, it quickly becomes apparent how a credit score simulator can help you understand how your purchasing and payment habits can impact your three-digit number.

Recommended: Does Applying For a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score?

How Does a Credit Score Simulator Work?

After gaining an understanding of how credit cards work, you can start to understand how a credit simulator works. Each credit score simulator is different, but there are some commonalities in how they work.

Some start with your current credit score provided by a credit reporting bureau, then let you see how some of the changes mentioned previously would affect your score if you were to make them. While there’s no guarantee they will be completely accurate, they should give you an idea of the potential impact on your credit score.

Other credit score simulators might guide you through several questions about your credit profile. The result estimates your current credit score based on your responses. For example, the myFICO® credit score estimator asks you about things like how many credit cards you have, how long ago you opened your first card, and whether you’ve missed a payment.

Recommended: When Are Credit Card Payments Due?

How Your Credit Score Is Calculated

Credit score simulators generally use popular credit scoring models to estimate your current or future credit score. For instance, they might use FICO® Score 8 or VantageScore 3.0. These models use certain credit factors to calculate your score.

While each credit scoring model is different, certain behaviors tend to help build your credit score, regardless of the model. Typically, some of the factors affecting credit score are:

•   Payment history: This is usually one of the most important factors in the calculation of your credit score. To avoid a negative impact on your credit score, you’ll want to avoid being more than 30 days late on any credit card payments.

•   Credit utilization ratio: This ratio is simply the total outstanding balance on all of your credit cards divided by their total credit limit. One of the credit card rules is that you should aim to keep this ratio below 30%.

•   Derogatory marks: These are items like bankruptcies, tax liens, and collections. It’s best to avoid these altogether if possible, especially since they can stay on your credit report for seven to 10 years.

•   Credit age: Creditors like to see that you have a long history of responsible credit use. Thus, your credit score may be slightly more favorable if your oldest credit card is decades old. The same holds true for loans.

Recommended: Tips for Using a Credit Card Responsibly

What a Credit Simulator Can Do

A credit score simulator can help estimate either your current credit score or what your credit score might be in the future. The result is that they can help you better understand how different actions will increase or decrease your score.

This intel might guide you in prioritizing which actions to take. Should you pay off your credit cards quickly, or should you focus more on your loans for now? Credit score simulators can help you answer these questions when the answer isn’t so obvious.

What a Credit Simulator Cannot Do

The main thing that credit simulators cannot do is tell you exactly what credit score you should expect to have at a given point in the future. There are simply too many variables at play to know with absolute certainty what your score will be.

For one, your credit card issuer might use a different credit scoring model. Another possibility is that there are other changes to your credit profile that could impact your score. Perhaps you finish paying off a credit card six months from now, but an emergency suddenly arises that results in you taking out a personal loan.

When It Makes Sense to Use a Credit Simulator

It makes sense to use a credit simulator in certain situations. For example, suppose you plan to finance the purchase of a new car. That will certainly have some impact on your credit, but the effect will vary depending on your credit history. A credit simulator can help you estimate what that impact will be.

Credit simulators can also help you decide which actions to prioritize if you have a bad credit score. Many of these possible actions might improve your score, but chances are, some will help more than others. Over time, you can gain a better understanding of which kinds of actions tend to have the largest impact.

Other Tools to Monitor Your Financial Health

Credit simulators are not the only thing that can help you monitor your financial health. Here are some other tools to consider:

•   Credit score monitoring: While credit simulators can help you estimate how changes to your credit report will affect your score, credit monitoring tools give you credit score updates on an ongoing basis. They can also give you a breakdown of your credit factors and how your score has changed over time.

•   Budgeting tools: Budgeting tools are useful because they often let you sync all of your bank accounts and credit cards in one dashboard. You can then see all of your balances in real-time.

•   Identity theft protection: If your identity is stolen, it can have a major impact on your credit and your finances as a whole. It may be a wise move to have this protection just in case.

What Makes a Good Credit Score?

It’s tough to overstate the importance of having good credit. Nevertheless, what constitutes good credit will vary from person to person. The general idea is you must show creditors that you are a responsible borrower and that you aren’t going to default on your debt (in this case, your credit card).

This is why things like late payments and high credit utilization can drastically lower your credit score. Late payments suggest you may not be able to reliably make your payments. And a high credit utilization suggests you may have a higher risk of default as you are using a high percentage of the credit available to you.

The Takeaway

Credit score simulators are one tool that can help you assess how different behaviors can affect your credit score. Because they are just simulators, they may not be completely accurate. Still, they can give you an idea of what to expect and help you reach your financial pals.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

Are the changes made by a credit score simulator guaranteed?

In short, no. Credit scores are complex, and other factors could affect your score in the meantime. Nevertheless, credit simulators can help you better understand how various changes may affect your credit score.

How long do credit score changes usually last?

How long changes to your credit score last depends on reporting to credit bureaus. Each bureau has its own schedule, but credit card updates usually happen every 30 to 45 days. However, some changes — such as a bankruptcy declaration — can remain on your credit report for as long as 10 years.

How accurate is a credit score simulator?

Credit score simulators should be relatively good at estimating credit score changes based on the information provided or available to them at any given moment. However, credit reports can change frequently, and simulators can’t usually predict what will happen with your credit a day, a week, or a month from now.

Photo credit: iStock/millann

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SOCC-Q324-019

For millennia, people have used precious metals like gold and silver to store their wealth. And while there are other options in the modern world, investing in gold is still quite popular. In terms of how exactly to do that, you may be able to buy gold with a credit card — but it may not be the best choice.

One of the biggest drawbacks to doing so are the credit card charges for gold purchase on credit cards. If you buy gold with a credit card, you’ll likely owe a processing fee on top of your purchase price. This can make investing in gold with a credit card a less desirable option, and it may make it worth considering alternatives.

Can You Buy Gold With a Credit Card?

It is possible to buy precious metals with a credit card, but it may not be the best investment option for you.

Part of what a credit card is includes processing fees, which are charged to merchants and often get passed down to the consumer. These fees typically range from around 1.5% to 3.5% of the purchase amount. If you have to pay processing fees in order to buy gold with a credit card, you may want to consider other investment options.

Guide to Buying Gold With a Credit Card

If you decide to buy gold with a credit card, here are a few steps to help guide your journey.

Searching for Reliable Dealers

First, you’ll want to look around for reliable gold dealers. There are many different websites where you can buy gold online with a credit card, and each site has its own pros and cons. It’s smart to read up on the company to help ensure you’re choosing a reliable dealer.

Comparing Prices and Reviews

Once you’ve found a few dealers who appear reliable, you can start comparing prices and reviews. Reading reviews from other investors can give you a sense of what you’re likely to go through with this particular dealer. You’ll also want to compare gold prices at different sites, since the price may vary from dealer to dealer.

Completing the Checkout Form

Once you’ve settled on a dealer, you can go through their checkout process. Before you enter your credit card or other financial details, you may need to enter in additional information. This will likely include your name and address or other identifying information.

Submitting Your Credit Card Details

You’ll then likely be taken to the checkout screen to complete your purchase. If you are using a credit card, you’ll enter your credit card information. Make sure to read the terms and conditions for your purchase, as some dealers charge a market loss fee if you cancel your order.

Completing the Purchase

Once you complete the purchase, you can await the delivery of your gold. If you’re taking physical hold of your gold, it will be shipped to your address on file. If you have made other arrangements, your gold will get delivered per the instructions you entered during the purchase process.

After the purchase is added to your credit card balance, make sure to follow essential credit card rules. This includes making on-time payments and attempting to pay off your balance in full each month to avoid paying interest.

Recommended: How to Avoid Interest On a Credit Card

Other Ways to Buy Gold

Besides investing in gold with a credit card, there are a few other ways to buy gold.

Debit Card

You may be able to buy gold with a debit card, depending on the dealer that you choose. Investing in gold with a debit card may also come with processing fees. However, it’s common that debit card fees are less than those associated with using a credit card, given how credit cards work compared to debit cards.

ACH or Wire Transfer

Another option to consider is sending the money electronically through your bank. You may be able to fund your purchase using ACH or a wire transfer. Just make sure you understand any fees associated with buying gold in this manner.

Money Order

You also may be able to use a money order to invest in gold. How to do this will depend on the dealer you use. Generally, you’ll need to mail a money order to the dealer. Once your funds are deposited, you’ll be able to use them to make a gold purchase.

Cash Deposit

If you live near the physical establishment of a gold dealer, you may also be able to use cash to invest in gold. You can deposit your cash funds and then use that amount to purchase gold. Of course, you will want to be cautious if you are transporting a large sum of cash, as loss or theft are risks.

P2P Apps

Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps like Cash App, and Venmo may serve as additional ways to invest in gold. Check with your dealer to see if these (or any other) P2P apps are options to fund your investment. Also make sure you look at the terms and conditions to understand any additional fees that you may owe.

The Takeaway

While it is possible to invest in gold with a credit card, it may not be the best investment option. Not all dealers allow you to buy gold with a credit card, and many that do pass along processing fees of 1.5% to 3.5%. These additional fees mean that you may be better off with another type of investment or a different funding source.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

Does it still pay to invest in gold?

If you’re wanting to invest in gold, it can still make sense, depending on your individual financial priorities. The price of gold varies from day to day (and even within the same day), so just like any other type of investment, you’ll want to make sure you understand the underlying value and if or when buying gold makes sense for you.

Can you buy precious metals with a credit card?

You can buy precious metals like gold with a credit card, but it may not be the wisest investment option. Many credit card processors charge a fee to merchants using a credit card, and in many cases, that fee is passed down to consumers. This additional cost can mean it may not be worth it to buy gold with a credit card.

What are the charges for gold purchases on a credit card?

The exact list of fees and charges for buying gold with a credit card will depend on the exact dealer you use to make your purchase. It’s common for dealers to charge a processing fee (up to 3.5% or higher) if you use a credit card to buy gold.

Photo credit: iStock/Talaj

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SOCC-Q324-013

Right now, nine states do not charge state income taxes, which means residents in those states don’t need to file a state-level tax return. While an obvious benefit of that is a reduction in their annual tax liability, are there also drawbacks to living in a state without income taxes?

Here, learn the pros and cons of no state income tax. This intel can help you determine if living in a state with no income tax is better for you.

Which States Have Zero State Income Tax?

Currently, nine states do not have state income tax on earned income:

•   Alaska

•   Florida

•   Nevada

•   New Hampshire^*

•   South Dakota

•   Tennessee

•   Texas

•   Washington

•   Wyoming

^*New Hampshire currently charges state taxes on interest and dividends but not on income, but it is set to phase this out after 2026, as Tennessee has recently done.

Recommended: Earned vs. Unearned Income on Taxes

What Are the Pros and Cons of Having No State Income Tax?

At first blush, having no state income tax sounds like a win for Americans — and for many high-earners, it might be. However, there are also downsides to living in a state with no income taxes. Here’s a closer look.

Pro: You’ll Spend Less Money on Income Taxes Overall

While nearly everyone must file federal taxes, residents in states without income taxes will benefit from a lower overall tax bill each tax season. This can be a boost to one’s financial health.

Con: You’ll Likely Spend More on Sales and Property Taxes

Just because states don’t charge income taxes doesn’t mean they’re not getting revenue through different types of taxes. States without income taxes sometimes have higher sales and property taxes, for example.

Tennessee, Washington, Nevada, and Texas are all in the top 20 states with the highest combined state and local sales tax. New Hampshire, Texas, and Florida all have property taxes higher than the national average — with the former two in the top 10 states overall.

An added con to this: Unlike income taxes, which get progressively higher based on your income level and resulting tax bracket, sales taxes are the same no matter how much you make. That means lower-income taxpayers shoulder a heavier tax burden in states with no income taxes, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

Pro: Tax Filing Is Easier

If you live in a state without income tax, filing can be a breeze. You’ll have one less tax filing deadline to worry about.

Those who reside where state tax is collected, however, may need to invest in professional tax software or an accountant to handle their state taxes. This is of course an added expense — and creates extra steps in the tax filing process.

Con: There’s Less in the Budget for Infrastructure and Education

States use income taxes to fund projects like improving infrastructure and investing in education. Without income taxes, there could be less in the budget for such investments.

For instance, Nevada, Florida, Tennessee, and South Dakota are all among the top 10 states that spend the least amount of money per K-12 student, per a report from the Education Data Initiative. The common thread? These four states don’t have income taxes.

Pro: Having No Taxes Can Attract People to Move to the State

A lack of state income taxes may be a selling point for many people looking to move, whether they are looking for a more affordable lifestyle, a welcoming state to retire in, or to be closer to friends and family.

Why does this matter? An influx of residents to a state can be a boon to the local economy.

Con: Cost of Living May Be Higher

Though it’s not the case across all nine states without income taxes, the cost of living could be higher. Four out of the nine states were among the 20 most expensive states to live in last year: Alaska, New Hampshire, Washington, and Florida.

Now, here’s how the pluses and minuses stack up in chart form:

Why Do Some States Have Zero State Income Taxes?

Some states may choose to enact a no-state-income-tax policy to encourage Americans to move there from other states and thus boost their economy. IRS and Census data backs up this theory.

It may also reflect local political sentiment: Conservative politics tend to favor lowering taxes, while progressive politics often prioritize the social programs that can be achieved through higher taxes.

Recommended: Tips on Saving Money Daily

Do States With No Income Tax Save Residents Money?

States with no income taxes save residents money — on their income taxes. However, many states without income taxes can be expensive in other ways. They might have a higher sales tax, higher property taxes, and/or a higher cost of living.

Before deciding on a move to a state without income taxes, it’s a good idea to view the whole picture by researching sales and property tax rates and overall cost of living.

Recommended: Tax-Friendly States that Don’t Tax Pensions and Social Security Income

Is Living in a State With No Income Tax Better?

Some taxpayers may say that living in a state with no income tax is better, but others might not. In general, high-income earners benefit more from a lack of state income taxes, since they may enjoy reduced taxes. Low-income earners, however, may actually shoulder more of the tax burden when states generate revenue from sales tax.

Taxpayers should also consider how much they value lower taxes versus more social programs and investments in things like infrastructure and education. Each individual will have their own opinion.

The Takeaway

States without income taxes may save you a lot of money when it’s time to file taxes, but there may be hidden costs of living in such states, like higher sales and property taxes. Before moving, it’s important to consider the full picture to better understand the potential impact on your finances.

Regardless of where you live, it can be a wise money move to take advantage of a high-yield bank account to grow your savings. When you open a SoFi Checking and Savings account, you’ll enjoy a competitive annual percentage yield (APY) on deposit and pay no account fees, both of which can help your cash grow more quickly. Plus, there’s the convenience factor: You’ll spend and save in one place, and qualifying accounts can access their direct deposit paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

Are other taxes higher in states with no income tax?

Though it varies, it is common for states without income taxes to make up for that lack of revenue through other forms of taxes, primarily sales and property taxes.

Are food costs more in states with no income tax?

Food costs contribute to a state’s total cost of living. In 2022, four of the 20 most expensive states to live in had no income taxes. While that doesn’t inherently mean food costs are higher in such states, it may validate that a disproportionate number of states with no income tax have higher costs of living.

Is living in a state with no income tax better for low- or high-income taxpayers?

High-income taxpayers benefit more from living in states with no income taxes. The more money you make, the higher percentage of your income you must pay in taxes, so high-earners will likely save more.

In addition, states with no income tax may see less spending on education, which can affect the quality of learning for students. High-income earners can probably more easily afford private schools for their children; such schools do not rely on taxes to operate. Low-income earners may not be able to afford private schools.

Photo credit: iStock/mihailomilovanovic

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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