Behind 4 walls

  Your credit score is more than just a number. In 2025, it’s the key to unlocking financial freedom —and it's also one of the most misunderstood elements of personal finance. From securing low-interest loans to renting an apartment or even landing a job, your credit score is a silent judge in the background of your financial life. Banks, lenders, and financial institutions often make credit scoring feel like a secret society. But today, we’re pulling back the curtain. Here’s what they’re not telling you —and how you can take back control. 💡 What Is a Credit Score in 2025? A credit score is a 3-digit number (typically between 300 and 850) that summarizes your creditworthiness. The higher your score, the less risky you appear to lenders. In 2025, most banks still use versions of the FICO score and VantageScore , but many are now integrating AI-driven risk models , analyzing non-traditional data like subscription payments and digital behavior. 🧠 How Credit Scoring Really ...

 Saving money used to be simple. Your grandparents probably had a savings account, put in a little from each paycheck, and watched it slowly grow with interest. But let’s be real: the world has changed, and so have the rules of money. Between student loans, gig work, rising living costs, and financial FOMO (fear of missing out), Gen Z and Millennials face a completely different money landscape. So, what does saving look like now —and how can you win at it? Here’s a deep dive into the new rules of saving —modern, practical, and perfectly tailored for today’s digital-first, side-hustling, value-driven generations. Rule #1: Emergency Funds Aren’t Optional—But They’re Also Not One-Size-Fits-All Old rule: Save three to six months’ worth of expenses. New rule: Save one month now , and build flexibly from there. Most personal finance books preach the gospel of a 3–6-month emergency fund, which can be overwhelming if you’re barely covering rent. But here’s the real deal: start sm...