Managing Your Debt

Learn how to manage the debt that you have, including student loan and credit card debt. We've got expert advice on how best to manage your payments, how to get out of debt, and the best ways to avoid debt in the future.

Explore Managing Your Debt

All Bankruptcy
A borrower looks over his balances.
Debt Settlement vs. Bankruptcy
A woman holds her hands to her forehead while staring at her laptop screen in shock: her zombie debt has returned
What Is Zombie Debt?
A young woman pays off her holiday debt.
How to Quickly Pay Down Holiday Debt
A young consumer considers his debt consolidation options.
Should I Consider Using a Consolidation Loan to Get Out of Debt?
Freedom Debt Relief
Freedom Debt Relief Review
A woman checks her loan consolidation application.
What Is Debt Consolidation?
A man talks to a debt collector.
What Is a Debt Collector?
List of monthly outgoings
10 Simple Ways to Manage Your Money Better
National Debt Relief
National Debt Relief Review
couple sitting on couch with paperwork looking stressed out
Credit Counseling vs. Debt Settlement
A man works out debt forgiveness with a laptop, a smartphone, and a pile of papers.
What To Know About Debt Forgiveness
Credit Associates
Credit Associates Review
Image shows a pair of hands typing at a computer with a pile of bills and calculator to the right. Text reads: "What to know about debt validation letter: federal law gives you the right to request a debt collector provide proof that you owe a debt. You must make your request in writing within 30 days of the debt collector's initial contact with you. Your rights are not protected if you make your debt validation request over the phone. Once you send a debt validation letter, the collector must stop collections efforts until they've sent sufficient proof of the debt"
Use This Letter to Dispute a Debt Collection You're Unsure Of
Image shows four icons: a handshake, a contract, a credit card, and a home that says "MORTGAGE" on the side. Text reads: "Categories of debt each state has its own statute of limitations on debt, and the limitations vary depending on the type of debt you have. Oral agreements, written contracts—must include terms and conditions, open-ender accounts, promissory note—pay bak by a certain time and date"
In Debt? Here's the Statute of Limitations in Every State
person in grey shirt working at computer while calculating bills on the desk
What Is Cancellation of Debt?
A calculator and credit card statements
Here Are the 5 Best Credit Card Debt Calculators on the Web
An older couple meets with a credit counselor to review their debt relief options.
What to Expect From Consumer Credit Counseling
Woman with bills laid out in piles on the floor
6 Things That Can Bring Old Debt Back to Life
Woman talking on the phone
7 Steps to Take Before, During, and After a Debt Collection Call
A man sitting on a sofa using a laptop on the coffee table as he sorts through a stack of bills and statements
Debt Strategies That Do Not Work Including Using Home Equity
Image shows how credit card overdraft protection affects your credit: Overdraft protection can affect your credit if you've linked your checking account to a credit card or line of credit as a backup source of funding. Some credit card issuers treat overdraft payments as a cash advance, which is more costly. Your credit score is impacted if you can’t afford to clear up the overdraft.
How Overdraft Protection Can Impact Your Credit
Image shows tips for sending a pay for delete letter, including First send a debt validation letter for proof of debt (if within 30 days of initial contact with collector) Send letter only if you can pay the full amount listed as soon as the creditor or collector agrees to your offer Send the letter and your follow-up payment via certified mail, with return receipt requested Make sure you keep a copy of the letter for your records.
Need to Send a Pay for Delete Letter? Use This Easy Template
4 Steps to Make Sure Your Extra Payments Make the Biggest Impact
Century Support Services Review
Century Support Services Review
Golden Financial Services
Golden Financial Services Review
Frustrated couple checking bills at home using laptop
What Happens to Credit Card Debt When You Die?
Image shows why you should request a debt validation from collectors instead of just paying a debt: Debt collection notices are easy to fake. You may have already paid the debt. The “collector” may not actually be authorized to represent a creditor. Sometimes debt collectors resurrect old debts in an attempt to make some money, and don’t have the original documents
Here Is a Look at the Debt Validation Requirements for Collectors
Red two-door sports car on the back of a tow-truck
Here Is What You Need to Know About Voluntary Repossession
African American female using smartphone to calculate taxes
Snowball or Avalanche: Which Debt Payoff Method Is Better?
Woman reviewing debt paperwork at a laptop on a coffee table
What Is the Debt Snowball Strategy?
A seated elderly couple cradles an infant.
What Happens to Your Debt When You Die?
A billing statement with a past due stamp lies under a stack of bills and a calculator
What Does Past Due Mean and Why Is It Bad for My Credit Standing?
Illustration of a woman embracing a red dress with price tag still on, as two males flank her admiringly as she increases her credit card debt with the purchase
Is Your Credit Card Debt Higher Than Average?
Woman worried over debt and talking on phone
Things Debt Collectors Aren't Allowed to Do
Woman working on laptop at home studio with pastries and coffee
Habits That Will Help You Pay Off Debt
Paying bills
How to Manage Your Debt
Image shows a person looking sad and petting a cat, holding a piece of paper that says "past due". Text reads: "how to find out which collection agency your owe: ask the original creditor; check your credit report; check your voicemail and caller ID; wait for them to call you"
How Can I Find Out Which Collection Agency I Owe?
Personal Loans
How to Get Control of Your Debt and Finances
A credit-card customer goes online to check her balance.
Take a Look at the Average Credit Card Debt by State
Tired of Being Poor? Do These 5 Things
Stressed person working from home on computer
What Is Debt Restructuring?
A young couple smile as they look at a computer screen together
How To Consolidate Credit Card Debt on Your Own
Couple looking at a woman entering numbers into a calculator.
The Dangers of Debt Settlement
Don't Pay a Debt Collection graphic
5 Costly Consequences of Ignoring Debt Collectors
A couple sit on their couch, reviewing their bills while talking on the phone to a debt collector
What Is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
ClearOne Advantage Review
ClearOne Advantage Review
A man plays tug of war with a hundred dollar bill
This Is the Maximum Amount of Your Wages That Can Be Garnished
Credit card folded into paper airplane in atmosphere
Follow These Steps to Become Debt-Free.
Concerned-looking woman on phone while holding a bill
Don't Think You Owe? Ask for Debt Validation
Man counting the bills in his wallet, debating whether to spend his money
The Psychology of Spending Money - Advice on Debt
Woman with credit card, phone and laptop
How to Negotiate Credit Card Debt
Illustrated hand grabbing a paycheck indicating a wage garnishment
Help! My Wages Are Being Garnished
Accredited Debt Relief
Accredited Debt Relief Review
The words "debt ratio" followed by the calculation written on a blackboard.
Your Debt-To-Income Ratio, and How to Calculate It
how to pay off a debt in collection: pay in full, set up payment arrangements, settlement
How to Pay Off a Debt in Collection
Woman frustrated on the phone while holding baby
These Are the Days and Times That Debt Collectors Can Call You
graphic showing two people on top of stack of books with a ruler and pencil.
Rule of Thumb: Pay Off Your Credit Card Balance Every Month
Young woman paying bills with credit card at her laptop at home.
Does It Help To Make Partial Payments on Your Debts?
A woman looks over her credit card balances
Which Debt Should You Pay Off First?
Woman on the phone negotiating with debt collectors
9 Tips to Successfully Negotiate With Debt Collectors
 
 
 
 
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