Are You OverExtended?

Are you managing your debt, or is it managing you? Practical guidance for managing personal debt and credit.

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  • Spending more than paying off
  • Trouble paying bills
  • Buying without down payments
  • Maxed out credit lines
  • Retirement not properly funded
  • No payoff strategy
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Recent Articles

What Counts in Your Debt-to-Income Ratio and Why It Matters
Debt-To-Income Ratio

What Counts in Your Debt-to-Income Ratio and Why It Matters

Your debt-to-income ratio, often called DTI, compares how much you owe each month with how much you earn. Lenders use it to decide whether you can...

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How to Spot and Fix Errors on Your Credit Report
Understanding Credit Reports

How to Spot and Fix Errors on Your Credit Report

Your credit report is a record of how you have handled borrowed money. It includes credit card accounts, loans, payment history, balances, and...

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How to Use a Secured Credit Card to Build Credit Without Getting Burned
Using Credit Tools

How to Use a Secured Credit Card to Build Credit Without Getting Burned

A secured credit card can be one of the most practical tools for building credit, especially if you have no credit history or have made mistakes in...

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How Long Negative Information Stays on Your Credit History
Credit History Management

How Long Negative Information Stays on Your Credit History

A single financial misstep can feel like it will follow you forever. A missed payment during a tough month, a medical bill that slipped through the...

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Video

Consumer Credit Tips

Each video breaks down one practical way to get out from under debt and stay there — straightforward advice on credit, budgeting, and the habits that keep you from getting overextended again.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, in fact, it encourages planned splurging. The "Guilt-Free Spending" bucket is specifically for this purpose. Because your bills, debt, and future are already taken care of, you can spend this money on anything you want without any guilt or anxiety.

A hard inquiry occurs when a lender checks your report for a credit application. It can lower your score by a few points and remains for 2 years (though impact fades faster).

Wage garnishment is a legal process where a portion of an individual's earnings are withheld by an employer to pay off a debt, as ordered by a court or government agency.

Companies typically charge fees based on a percentage of the enrolled debt or the amount saved through settlement. These fees can range from 15% to 25% of the total debt enrolled and are often charged regardless of whether a settlement is successful.

These companies often advise clients to stop paying their creditors and instead make monthly payments into a dedicated savings account. Once a sufficient lump sum has accumulated, the company negotiates a settlement with each creditor.