Debt Management

There are many ways to keep debt down and your credit score up. In Credit & Debt Management, topics include credit reports, bankruptcy, how credit cards work and new technology.

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So, your friend who promised to pay you back as soon as he got his paycheck is now avoiding you like the plague. Why does this happen and how can you avoid this in the future?

By Alia Hoyt

Forbearance plans are typically offered as a way to keep borrowers in their homes during a period of unemployment or recovery from a natural disaster. The CARES Act makes it easier to qualify.

By Dave Roos

The last thing you want for your child is to have their identity stolen before they're old enough to open a credit card. The good news is there are ways to protect them from financial fraud.

By Cherise Threewitt

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You've lost your job and gotten behind with your rent. You know your landlord is looking for you. What's the best way to handle this and avoid eviction?

By Dave Roos

If you need money in a hurry, there are numerous ways to get it. But many quick loan options come with serious drawbacks.

By Patrick J. Kiger

A personal loan is a great way to pay for small-scale home renovations, but for bigger jobs, a home equity loan or line of credit may be a better option.

By Patrick J. Kiger

Lenders don't ask your reason for wanting one, but our experts discuss some typical motivations for taking out a personal loan.

By Patrick J. Kiger

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Taking out a personal loan can be a great way to fulfill a short-term goal or finance a dream, but there are definitely some mistakes to avoid.

By Patrick J. Kiger

Personal loans generally are installment loans that can be obtained without collateral. They have many uses and may be cheaper than running up a big credit card balance.

By Patrick J. Kiger

U.S. Federal law mandates that you get a free credit report each year through a government website. But lots of copycat websites have sprung up offering the same information for a charge. How can you be sure you're on the right page?

By Dave Roos

Think you'll never finish paying off your student loans? Here are some innovative ways to do just that.

By Dave Roos

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Credit monitoring bureau Equifax was hacked and is offering fraud monitoring services for free. But experts say they're pretty useless.

By Dave Roos

All of your debts are classified as secured or unsecured during a bankruptcy, which affects how they're discharged or repaid.

By Laurie L. Dove

Filing for bankruptcy can provide you with relief, but it also has some lasting repercussions that can affect your financial future.

By Laurie L. Dove

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The amount of available income you have after taxes, or disposable income, makes all the difference in whether you can file for bankruptcy.

By Laurie L. Dove

Some people end up filing for bankruptcy due to credit card debt, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you can't get a credit card again.

By Laurie L. Dove

Filing bankruptcy doesn't mean losing every single asset that you own; some of your assets may be considered exempt by the court.

By Laurie L. Dove

People aren't the only ones who file for bankruptcy. Businesses, cities, and even countries sometimes get into insurmountable debt. But who takes the "prize" for largest filing?

By Laurie L. Dove

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If you get behind on your bills due to a specific life event, a hardship letter can help convince your creditors to help you get back on track.

By Laurie L. Dove

Deciding to file for bankruptcy is difficult enough. Now you have to figure out the terminology used to describe your debts.

By Laurie L. Dove

After a bankruptcy, you're ready to move on financially — and that can include buying a house. But how long will your bankruptcy keep you from reaching your goal?

By Laurie L. Dove

U.S. citizens aren't the only ones who can file for bankruptcy in the U.S., but it sure can complicate things if you file and you're living in the country illegally or applying to become a citizen.

By Laurie L. Dove

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Getting a flu shot while you have the flu makes no sense, and so does planning to protect your assets after you've already entered into bankruptcy. Here's what to do beforehand.

By Laurie L. Dove

Here's one sign that you should start seriously considering filing for bankruptcy: You can't pay your bills. What are the others?

By Laurie L. Dove