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

The 28/36 Rule: A Simple Guide to Your Payment-to-Income Ratio
Payment-to-Income Ratio

The 28/36 Rule: A Simple Guide to Your Payment-to-Income Ratio

When you apply for a loan or a credit card, the lender wants to know one thing above all else: can you afford to pay this back? They don’t just look...

2 days ago Read More
Credit Score Mistakes to Avoid in Your 40s
40s

Credit Score Mistakes to Avoid in Your 40s

Your 40s are often the busiest financial decade of your life. You may be paying a mortgage, saving for retirement, helping aging parents, and...

2 days ago Read More
How to Time Your Credit Card Applications for Maximum Benefit
Strategic Credit Application

How to Time Your Credit Card Applications for Maximum Benefit

Applying for new credit is a normal part of adult life. Whether you need a better rewards card, a balance transfer tool, or a loan for a car, the way...

3 days ago Read More
For-Profit Debt Relief: Why Prevention Beats the Promise of a Quick Fix
For-Profit Debt Relief

For-Profit Debt Relief: Why Prevention Beats the Promise of a Quick Fix

When money gets tight and credit card bills pile up, the stress can make anything sound like a lifeline. That is exactly what for-profit debt relief...

4 days ago Read More

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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

Conspicuous consumption is the public acquisition and display of luxury goods or services primarily to signal wealth, status, or social standing, rather than to meet essential needs.

A dispute is a request to a credit bureau to investigate and potentially remove inaccurate information from your report. The bureau has 30 days to investigate your claim by contacting the data furnisher (the lender). If the furnisher cannot verify the information, it must be deleted.

There may be a small, temporary dip due to the hard inquiry and opening a new account. However, if it results in lower credit utilization and on-time payments, it will greatly benefit your score over time.

A DMP does not involve a new loan. Instead, it is a repayment arrangement facilitated by a third party. Debt consolidation involves acquiring new credit to pay off old debts. A DMP is often a better option for those who cannot qualify for a low-interest consolidation loan.

High balances increase your credit utilization ratio, which is the amount of credit you use compared to your limits. This ratio accounts for about 30% of your score, and a ratio above 30% significantly lowers your score.