Save for your goals. Take note of what's coming your way - vacations, the holidays, what ever is going to cost you money - and start saving ahead of ….

After explaining why you're in trouble, ask the creditor if the company would be willing to accept a smaller amount. Start negotiations at about 30% ….

Take the cards out of your wallet. A debit card is accepted just about everywhere that credit cards are, and you'll be spending money you have - alwa….

Rolling all of your debts into a single loan is a good idea - in theory. In fact, it can be a great idea..

Once the settlement is completed, the credit card company will report it to the credit bureaus, which will then make a notation on your credit report….

If you're filing bankruptcy, you will likely want to hire an attorney. But for debt settlement, a company is sufficient, or as I said, you can often ….

In most cases, if you've gotten to this point, you've already received a letter or phone message from your creditor with the name and extension of a ….

You settled a debt instead of paying in full will stay on your credit report for as long as the individual accounts are reported, which is typically ….

By definition, saving - for anything - requires us to not get things now so that we can get bigger ones later..

You won't be caught off guard and you won't feel guilty, because you'll be spending money that you've allocated for the occasion..

You need a clear, legitimate excuse for why you're behind [the bankruptcy], such as a layoff, divorce, or medical emergency. Be prepared to back up t….

If you are, consolidating at a lower interest rate can help you pay off your debt faster. But if there's even a small chance that you'll spiral back ….

Turn down offers for new cards or credit line increases on your current cards. Credit's tight, and chances are, you're not getting many offers anyway….

If you default on an unsecured debt, you won't lose anything (except points on your credit score)..

Most people don't know this, but if you settle a debt for less than the amount you owed, you are potentially responsible for taxes on the forgiven de….

Unless you have multiple accounts that you need to negotiate and you think the project is just too big to tackle on your own, you're better off just ….

Even in the days of the tightest credit in 2008, HELOCs [ home equity line of credit ] and home equity loans were being made..

You fall a bit behind on a credit card bill, your interest rate soars, your minimum payment rises, and you start falling more and more behind every m….

The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2005 made it harder for individuals to file bankruptcy, which is always the last resort. Unfortunately, simultaneously c….

When you default on a secured debt, the creditor takes the asset that backs up that debt. When you convert credit card debt to mortgage debt, you are….

The interest rate you receive, however, is contingent on your credit score..