How are the new bankruptcy laws impacting consumers? What can people do to keep their credit healthy? How does the financial industry need to change?

The letters…the calls…dealing with collection agencies can be stressful. After all, it is their job to try to get you to pay up. But if you understand your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Act and know a few negotiation tricks, you can take control of the situation.

Hundreds of credit counseling agencies across the county offer help for individuals with financial problems. Most of them provide counseling by phone, through the Internet, and/or in their offices.

Consolidating a bunch of debts at a lower interest rate isn’t always enough to help you become debt-free. This article shows you the pros and cons of different debt consolidation options.

If you are struggling to pay off your credit card debt, you may be wondering if the advertisements for debt settlement companies are real. Can they help you pay off your debts for “pennies on the dollar?” Learn how debt negotiation really works.

With a little dedication and some planning, it is possible to reduce your debts on your own. Why pay debt counselors and consolidation agencies fees for things you can do yourself? Credit.com shows you the tricks of the trade and the fastest way to reduce your debts on your own.

Are you living paycheck to paycheck? Deep in debt? Unable to pay your bills? The first step is to evaluate your situation and consider all the options. Written by financial experts, this crisis guide gives you the information you need to make smart decisions.

How can you tell if a credit or debt counselor can be trusted? There is real help out there, you just need to know what to look for and what questions to ask. This article will show you how to find a trustworthy non-profit credit counselor.

Did you know that debt levels have almost doubled in the past decade? And that the average household carries around $5,000 in credit card debt? Get some perspective on your debt situation today.

Did you know that debt levels have almost doubled in the past decade? And that the average household carries around $5,000 in credit card debt? Get some perspective on your debt situation today.

The bad news: You have debt. The good news: You have debt. It’s hard to believe that debt is good news for anyone other than the credit card companies and their customers. But there is, in fact, a golden light at the end of this tunnel. This article shows you what it is, as well as how you can get there.

Whether it’s a son who has racked up credit card debts, a spouse who has just revealed a secret “affair” with a credit card, or kids stuck with a mortgage they can no longer afford… more and more of us find ourselves struggling to figure out how to cope with debts in our families. Read tips for helping relatives facing a financial crisis.

Unpaid tax obligations can have a big impact on your credit reports and credit scores. In this article, our debt expert interviews a tax attorney for insight into how to manage and recover from tax liens.

Like too much weight, too much debt threatens your future — your financial future, peace of mind, relationships — you name it. And like losing weight, undoing debt damage isn’t a piece of cake — or something you can do quickly. But if you follow these twelve steps, you’ll keep your debt-defying New Year’s resolution and reduce the amount you owe in no time.

It could happen to anyone at anytime. A trip to the emergency room or bad news from your doctor could result in thousands of dollars in medical bills. Even with medical insurance, you may end up with catastrophic debt as a result of your illness. Except for a few billionaires, every American is just one major illness away from bankruptcy. Read about this issue and learn what you can do to avoid medical bill nightmares.

Unfortunately, simply paying off a collection account will not improve your credit scores. The fact that you have paid the account will have no impact on your credit score whatsoever. As long as the collection account is listed on your credit reports – paid or unpaid – it will have a negative impact on your credit scores.

There is a time limit on how long a creditor or debt collector can sue you in order to collect a debt. Use our interactive statute of limitations map to determine your state’s debt collection time limits.

If you are falling behind on your bills, your phone is probably ringing off the hook with calls from creditors and/or debt collectors. While the last thing you probably want to do is talk with them, you may find that they are willing to work with you. Here are ten tips for negotiating with creditors and collection agencies.

Health care is fast becoming the necessity that many Americans can’t afford. An estimated 77 million people-37% of the adult population in the U.S.-have difficulty paying their medical bills and medical debts often lead to financial ruin. Read about the issue of health care costs.

Helpful information for managing medical bills, finding financial assistance and avoiding credit damage. Advice for both insured and uninsured patients. Learn how to manage medical costs

Want to take charge of your financial life? Pay off your credit card debt. In this article, we compare the effectiveness of three popular do-it-yourself debt reduction methods. Is it better to pay off the card with the highest APR or the lowest balance?

Uh oh, you just got a call from a debt collector. Before you take action, learn about the rights you have when dealing with a collection agency. Protect your rights and avoid collector harassment.

Debt help is advertised everywhere these days: on TV, on the radio, in the newspaper, online. This article explains the different types of debt consolidation and counseling options. Read how debt consolidation could work for you.

Foreclosure rates are on the rise across the country. This article explains how foreclosure works, how it impacts your debts, the legal repercussions and how to stop foreclosure. Learn about foreclosure.

If you find yourself unable to keep up with your vehicle loan payments, investigate the these options as soon as possible to avoid a repossession of your vehicle.

Tax season means a big cash return for some people. For others, tax season is an annual scramble to come up with the money to pay a big tax bill. We have tips and advice if you are struggling to pay Uncle Sam this year.

Did you resolve to get out of debt this year? Is it not going so well? In this article, our money management expert shows you how to set achievable goals and make your resolution to be debt-free a reality.