How to Get Out of Debt: Guides & Help
Plain-English guides on credit card debt help, settlement, consolidation, collections and rebuilding your credit, written and reviewed by our editors.
Not sure where to start? Compare the main paths out of debt in our debt relief guide, see how programs stack up in our debt relief company reviews, or run the numbers with a free debt payoff calculator.
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A 0% Balance Transfer Can Save You Money. Here’s How It Backfires
0% APR balance transfer ads never walk you through the actual math. Skip that part, and the same move that was supposed to help your credit can leave you worse off than when you started.
One Form, a Dozen Phone Calls: How Lead Generators Actually Work
One form asking about debt relief, and suddenly your phone won’t stop ringing with companies you never called. Here’s what actually happened, and the one question that would’ve stopped it.
Does the “Big Beautiful Bill” Erase Credit Card Debt? Don’t Fall for This Scam
Ads claiming the “Big Beautiful Bill” will erase your debt are spreading fast, and the IRS has already warned people about them. Here’s how to tell the real law from the fake promise.
Can You Dispute a Paid Collection? What Actually Happens
Paying a collection doesn’t give you a new right to have it removed, but that doesn’t mean disputing one is pointless. Here’s what actually determines whether it comes off your report.
Already Paid Off That Charge-Off? A Goodwill Letter Might Still Get It Removed
Paying off a charge-off doesn’t erase it from your report. A goodwill letter is one thing you can still ask the creditor to do, but it’s a request, not a right.
Got a Bill for a Doctor You’ve Never Seen? That Might Be Medical Identity Theft
A bill for care you never got, or a diagnosis on your record that isn’t yours: medical identity theft can quietly follow you into every doctor’s visit. Here’s how to spot it and undo the damage.
No Credit History? A Credit-Builder Loan Can Help, But It’s Not for Everyone
A credit-builder loan can help you build a payment history from nothing, but CFPB research shows it works best if you’re not also carrying debt. Here’s how it works, and how to tell which one you actually are.
If You Die With Debt, Who Actually Has to Pay It?
You usually aren’t personally responsible for a loved one’s debt just because you’re family. Here’s what actually determines who pays, and what to do if a collector calls.
Chapter 11 vs. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: What’s the Real Difference?
Chapter 11 gets a lot of attention because it’s the bankruptcy you hear about when a big company is in trouble. But if you’re dealing with credit cards, medical bills, or personal loans, it’s probably not the comparison you need. Here’s what actually separates Chapter 7 from Chapter 11, and which chapter really matters for your situation.
I Was Scammed and Now I’m in Debt: What Should I Do?
A scam call can max out your credit cards in an afternoon. Here’s how to fight the fraudulent charges, protect an aging parent, and prepare financially in case some of the balance sticks around.