odds

Probable number of times an event is likely to occur, expressed as the ratio of number of probable occurrences to the number of probable non-occurrences. Thus, if an event 'A' has an associated probability 'p,' the probability of its not occurring is (1-p), and odds on A are = p ÷ (1 - p).

If your credit card balances go unpaid, your credit score will start to diminish. The next time one of your insurance policies is up for renewal, you may get hit with an unexpected rate increase. Insurance companies that check your credit score when considering your premium seem to assume that if you can't pay your bills, you might be letting your car or home maintenance slide, or you might be an irresponsible person in general, all of which could make you a higher risk by increasing your odds of filing a claim. Some employers also run credit checks on potential job applicants, and an employer who is concerned enough to check your credit score will probably be concerned enough to not hire you if it's poor. If purchasing or refinancing a home is in your future, your credit score is particularly important, as it will determine the interest rate on your mortgage, or whether you're even eligible for a mortgage at all.

• All You Need is One Hit
• Focus on Your Users, not Potential Acquirers
• One Big Problem on this Planet
• The Growth of a Start-Up and Its Industry
• Understand Your Users