If paying down debt is in your financial forecast, there are two techniques you might want to consider: debt snowball and debt avalanche. These similar methods are a good fit if you can afford to make the minimum payments on all of your debt, plus a little extra. If done...
What the national debt means for your children (and your children’s children)
When you turn on the TV or pick up your phone, it sometimes seems like the old axiom “no news is good news” has taken on a new meaning. Gun violence, climate change, inadequate or overly expensive health care, are just a few of the heavy topics making headlines and...
Credit card data in 2019: Understanding the trends
Many of the numbers surrounding credit card debt trends are not moving in a favorable direction. Credit card debt held by all Americans topped $1 trillion for the first time in 2018, and since then, the percentage of credit card debt that is seriously delinquent — at least 90 days...
Do you know the difference between good and bad debt?
Not all debt is created equal. As counterintuitive as it may sound, some debt can be good. While you may strive to live debt-free, that isn't necessarily the rosy paradise of financial freedom that it's made out to be. Certain types of debt can actually help your credit in the...
How can I unenroll from my debt settlement company?
If you are currently enrolled with a debt settlement company and you would like to end your relationship with them, you have some options.
5 keys to successful debt consolidation
Just as there are many reasons why people end up in debt, there are many ways to handle getting out of debt. One option is debt consolidation, which means rolling up several of your debts into one, lower-interest loan. The ideal person for this type of debt management solution is...
How to get rid of your debt for good
Americans have debt, and lots of it. Consumer debt has been growing for years. Last year, the figure approached a staggering $14 trillion. A lot of that debt is coming from mortgages, but student loans, car loans, credit cards and personal also are included in the mix. Here's how to get...
9 ways to avoid student loan debt
For parents and students alike, college is a big and exciting step. But for most families, college also means debt. Recent statistics show more than 44 million people have $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. Whether you pursue loans, invest early in a 519 plan, or get help through scholarships,...
How to find free money for college
Free money for college sounds far-fetched, yet every year students across the country leave financial aid sitting on the table. In fact, an estimated $24 billion in financial aid, including grants that don’t have to be paid back, goes unclaimed every year, according to Form Your Future, which is sponsored...
How to negotiate medical bills and avoid medical bankruptcy
Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. That’s the mantra to remember if you’re behind on your medical bills or facing a medical bill you can’t afford. Understandably, most people want to avoid having medical bills send them into bankruptcy. In most cases, the sooner you deal with your medical debt, the better. For...
5 steps to rebuild credit after debt management
One reason some people choose a debt management plan (DMP) over bankruptcy is they want to protect their credit score. The upshot is, a DMP won’t hurt your credit nearly as much as a bankruptcy or debt settlement would as long as you pay your bills on time. Still, you’ll...