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 Hidden Dangers of Home Equity Lines of Credit
Secured Debt

The Hidden Dangers of Home Equity Lines of Credit

When you own a home, it can feel like you have a safety net underneath you. That safety net is your equity, which is simply the difference between...

1 day ago Read More
The 30% Credit Utilization Rule Explained Simply
Credit Utilization

The 30% Credit Utilization Rule Explained Simply

If you have a credit card, you have probably heard that you should never use more than 30% of your available credit. This is called the 30% rule, and...

1 day ago Read More
How Big Should Your Emergency Fund Be?
Building an Emergency Fund

How Big Should Your Emergency Fund Be?

Unexpected things happen all the time. Your car breaks down. Your furnace stops working. You get hit with a medical bill. Without money set aside for...

2 days ago Read More
Using Your House as an ATM Is a Dangerous Way to Manage Debt
Secured Debt

Using Your House as an ATM Is a Dangerous Way to Manage Debt

When you fall behind on bills, it can feel like there is no way out. The credit card payments pile up, the interest keeps growing, and you start...

2 days ago Read More

Popular Articles

Where Should You Keep Your Emergency Fund?
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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

You will typically be charged a late fee. Continued non-payment may lead to the debt being sent to a collections agency, which can severely damage your credit score and result in harassing collection calls. The provider may also suspend your account.

You can report violations of the FDCPA to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and your state's Attorney General's office. Keeping detailed records of all calls and correspondence is crucial for filing a successful complaint.

Begin by confronting the numbers. Create a complete list of your debts, interest rates, and minimum payments. The act of transforming an abstract fear into a concrete, manageable list can significantly reduce anxiety and provide a sense of control.

Yes, if unpaid medical bills are sent to collections, they can be reported to credit bureaus and lower your score. However, newer policies require a 365-day waiting period before reporting, and paid medical collections are removed from reports.

Debt consolidation involves taking out a new loan, typically at a lower interest rate, to pay off multiple existing high-interest debts. This simplifies your finances by combining several payments into one single monthly payment.