Rental Kharma - On Air!

Rental Kharma is more than a service for reporting rent payments -- we're on a mission to change lives ! Since 2012, Rental Kharma has helped 110,000+ families build credit history and improve their credit scores by reporting their on time rental payments.  As part of this mission, we have introduced the Rental Kharma Learning Center to explain how credit actually works, provide credit and fi...

In your fourth Driver's Ed For Credit class, Cullen Canazares talks about how authorized users can help people when building credit, the differences in the different rent reporting services and how to pick based off your needs, and what the impact can be when accounts close, explaining how paying off loans can negatively impact credit scores.  Want to watch this podcast? Here's the link...

The third lesson in Driver's Ed for Credit, Cullen and Wendy talk about the dangers of alluring store credit cards, how to refinance high-interest credit card debt, and  how to navigate emergency purchase credit cards like Care Credit.  As a bonus, Cullen is going to show you how to analyze your own credit report!  See how your account activity affects your credit score and how you can quickl...

This week's episode is PACKED with information to help you ace your Driver's Ed for Credit course! Cullen Canazares and Wendy Massengill break down some facts about student loans, credit building products, and the financial holes people can fall into with using different kinds of lending products, like payday advance stores.  We'll also chat about the risks of “buy here, pay here” c...

To kick off season 2 of Rental Kharma ON AIR, Cullen Canazares and Wendy Massengill are giving you part one of your Driver's Ed for Credit course! In this episode, we talk about the real impacts of common credit mistakes, like late payments, "maxed out cards", credit builder loans, and how to think about your credit score on an A-F scale, like you remember from school.  Our goal is...

Summary: This week, Cullen and Wendy talk about a big ole myths we hear about almost every day -- that you need your rent reported on all three credit bureaus (BEEP! WRONG!). We'll also provide you with the definitive answer to the age-old question -- "why is my credit different on all three credit bureaus?" And also explain the upcoming changes to the mortgage industry and how this...

Summary: Yee-haw folks! We've got a financial showdown going on, between traditional banks, and the new fintech banking products. Join us as we break down the different kinds of products, the pros and cons, and the surprising winner in this matchup!  Takeaways: Fintech is a term for any kind of financial technology, including banking, investment, and digital currency products. Fintech banking...

Summary: In this week's episode, Cullen and Wendy dive deeper into the steps you need to take to start your new business and Be Your Own Boss! Gain some valuable information, motivational insights and practical advice on several business-building topics,  including how to set up your business bank account, and why you should pay yourself a regular paycheck! Learn about marketing strategies, a...

Summary: In the first episode of our Be Your Own Boss series, Cullen and Wendy dive into starting your own business with minimal money, focusing on opportunities for individuals recently released from incarceration. They talk about some of the obstacles faced by former inmates and the barriers that can be broken by starting your own business.  They'll provide tips on how to get your business...

Summary: What a doozy! This week, Cullen and Wendy break down the popular "free cell phone" plans. Listen as we unpack the true costs of these cell phone plans, and how you can be wasting THOUSANDS of dollars! Learn some hacks, facts, and dirty little secrets about the not-so-free pitfall at your big wireless carriers! Takeaways: Free phones aren't actually free - learn how you end...

Summary: This week, Cullen and Wendy talk about identity theft. We talk about how your identity can get stolen, and some insight and tips on how to protect yourself. We're going to cover various methods used by criminals to collect your data, such as RFID scanning and phishing scams. Learn about the importance of freezing yours and your children's social security numbers and monitoring y...

Summary: This week, we are talking about divorce. We'll be sharing the stats on why people get married and divorced, why divorce has a devastating impact on your credit report, and what you can do to help protect yourself and your credit during your split.  We'll also discuss the financial costs of divorce, including expensive divorce attorneys and how you can try and save money by media...

What happens when you are  beyond broke ? Well, you may have to file for bankruptcy. Join Cullen and Wendy as they discuss what leads to bankruptcy, what all that entails, and how you can come out the other side with a clean slate! You can still buy cars, homes and other things after bankruptcy! Takeaways: Chapter 7 is the recommended bankruptcy filing for renters and people without assets. Learn...

In this week's episode, it's in your best interest that we talk about... interest! 📈 We'll discuss the most frequently used types of interest rates, how they're calculated, and also some of our personal "whoopsies" we've made on our own credit journeys! We hope you find it... interesting! 😆🤣  Takeaways: Learn about APR, simple interest, compound interest, and...

In the second part of our "Wolves on Main Street", we sniff out the truth about personal loans, secured credit cards, buy-now-pay-later shopping, title loans, and mail offers, and talk about ways to run these predatory lending products out of your lives and out of your towns.  With high APR rates on personal loans and title loans, the interest charges on secured credit cards, the temptat...

EP #6 Financial predators are everywhere -- in every town, in every state, and on almost every main street through town. In part one of "The Wolves of Main Street", we're talking about the rent-to-own industry, payday loans, and check cashing or check advance stores. Learn the deeper truth about these industries, and how they can cause financial ruin with APR percentages in the hund...

EP #5  This week we discuss "Move-In Special's" where you can save $5,000 or more! We're going to talk about the difference your credit score can make on how much you pay in rent, as well as how much it can cost to move in to your new apartment. We talk about ways you can find rent specials, how to try an negotiate with your landlord to save money, and also the truth about subl...

EP #4  This week, Cullen and Wendy are here to help you get 720 Credit Ready, and Stay Credit Ready your entire life. You never know what life is going to throw you, and having healthy credit makes life much easier.  Cullen talks about credit in a different way to help you understand how the credit actually works, discussing everything like why having a credit card is important, student loans, imp...

EP #3  Lean how to buy a home with NO DOWN PAYMENT! It is much easier than you think. Join us as we explore the different down payment assistance grants for different states, and let you in on the dirty little secrets of the process. Did you know the phrase "first time homebuyer" includes a lot more people than you'd think! There's even a bonus dirty little secret in this episo...

EP #2  Learn the Dirty Little Secrets about the of "Buy Here, Pay Here car dealers " and the reasons behind their success. Insanely high repossession rates because consumers are sold a horrible deal. Also, we discuss how the "no credit no problem" is part is a huge problem.  Do you have a "buy here, pay here" car lot experience? Send us a voice note with your story to...

EP #1    We talk about How to Buy a Car With NO Down Payment! Also, how to get 3 months with no payments! We about loan financing at dealerships and explain the differences between financing with the dealerships, banks, credit unions, and buy-here-pay-here lots. Listen as we reveal some dirty little secrets about car dealerships. Takeaways How to buy a car with no down payment How to put that savi...