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

How Student Loan Debt Delays the American Dream of Homeownership
Student Loans

How Student Loan Debt Delays the American Dream of Homeownership

For many middle-class families, owning a home has always been the marker of financial stability. It means a place to raise children, build equity...

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The Debt Avalanche Method: Pay Off High-Interest Credit Cards First
Payoff Strategies

The Debt Avalanche Method: Pay Off High-Interest Credit Cards First

When you carry balances on multiple credit cards, the monthly payment burden can feel overwhelming. You know you need to pay more than the minimum...

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How a Different Kind of Loan Can Improve Your Credit Mix
Diverse Credit Mix

How a Different Kind of Loan Can Improve Your Credit Mix

When you hear about building good credit, the advice usually centers on paying your bills on time and keeping your credit card balances low. That’s...

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Debt-to-Limit Ratio: The Number That Controls Your Credit Score
Debt-to-Limit Ratio

Debt-to-Limit Ratio: The Number That Controls Your Credit Score

Your credit score is a mysterious thing to most people. You know it matters for getting a loan, renting an apartment, or even landing a job, but what...

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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

Non-profit organizations like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) offer certified financial counselors. For mental health, consider therapy, community health services, or support groups like Debtors Anonymous. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available for immediate crisis support.

For-profit debt relief refers to services offered by companies that operate to make a profit, typically by negotiating with creditors on a client's behalf to settle debts for less than the full amount owed, in exchange for fees.

You must dispute it directly with the credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) that is reporting the error and with the company that provided the information (the lender or collector). Submit your dispute in writing and include any supporting documentation.

Signs include hiding purchases from partners, making only minimum payments on credit cards, feeling anxious about spending but doing it anyway, and justifying luxury buys as "rewards" or "investments in image."

Absolutely. This is often the best course of action. You can negotiate a "pay-for-delete," where you agree to pay a portion of the debt in exchange for the creditor or collector removing the negative entry from your credit report. Get any agreement in writing before sending payment.