Reaching an 850 credit score, the highest possible in the FICO scoring system, might seem like a ticket to unlimited ...

A little over a decade ago, I found myself in especially dire financial straits. I got laid off from my job, split from my spouse, and defaulted on the mortgage for the house I shouldn't have bought.

I had a friend once tell me, "Now that my credit score is over 800, I can get approved for anything I want!" I wish it worked that way. I have an 822 score myself, and I've still been denied for new ...