Medical bills are confusing, fast-moving, and often wrong — yet the stakes are high for your budget and credit access. The good news: recent federal rules sharply limit how medical debt can appear in lending decisions, and powerful consumer protections […]
Money crunches snowball fast: one missed bill turns into fees, shutoff notices, and panicked choices that make next month even harder. The way out starts with a clear order of what to pay first, quick calls to set up hardship
When interest charges keep outrunning your payments, a certified credit counselor can help you stabilize cash flow and map a realistic path to zero. Most counseling is offered by nonprofit organizations that review your budget, explain options, and — when
Rolling multiple cards into a single personal loan can slash interest and simplify payments — but only if the new loan’s total cost beats your current path and the fine print won’t bite later. Before you apply, confirm the fee
A balance transfer moves existing credit-card (or other eligible) debt to a new card that offers a temporary low or 0% APR, giving you breathing room to pay principal instead of interest. The offer usually lasts 6–21 months and typically
When money gets tight, most creditors prefer a workable plan over a default. The key is to contact them early, come with numbers you can keep, and put every agreement in writing before you send a cent. This guide gives
Debt settlement means negotiating with a creditor or debt collector to accept less than the full balance as payment in full. It can be done on your own or through a for-profit “debt relief” company that collects fees after a
A debt consolidation loan rolls multiple unsecured debts into a single new loan with one payment and a fixed payoff schedule. The pitch is simple: swap several revolving balances at double-digit card APRs for one installment loan at a lower
A Debt Management Plan (DMP) is a structured repayment program run by a nonprofit credit counseling agency. You make one monthly payment to the agency, and they distribute it to participating creditors — often at reduced interest rates with certain
Two proven ways to get out of debt faster are the debt snowball and the debt avalanche. Both ask you to make minimum payments on every account, then direct all extra cash to a single “target” debt until it’s gone
Debt is simply money you borrow with a promise to repay later — but the way a debt is structured changes its cost, risk, and how it shows up on your credit. Most consumer debts fit into a few big
