One of the hardest parts about paying off multiple debts is knowing where to start. It can be easy to become overwhelmed and settle with minimum payments across the board, but this leads to being in debt longer and racking up interest and fees. Reprioritizing your debts and pursuing a repayment strategy can help increase your long-term savings and motivation. Two of the most common debt repayment methods are the snowball method and the avalanche method. Although they’re similar in many ways, they can lead to very different results – which one is best for you?

Whether you’re just starting a new romantic relationship, are considering tying the knot or have been married for years, you’ve likely discovered conversation topics that you would prefer to avoid. Money and debt are often at the top of our personal “do not discuss” list, which can lead to major problems down the road. In a recent study of divorced individuals, 36.1% of them reported that financial problems were a big contributing factor to their divorce. 

If you’re in debt, you can likely point out the effects that it has on your life. The inability to accomplish your financial goals, facing high interest payments, and dealing with garnished wages may first come to mind, but have you considered the impact that debt can have on your mental health? 

A debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is the percentage of a person’s monthly gross income that is dedicated towards paying back debts. Your DTI ratio is an important piece of data that will help lenders determine the likelihood that you’ll repay a loan.

According to the New York Federal Reserve, America’s household debt is the highest it’s ever been (in nominal dollars), with the previous peak being in 2008. But why? Well, one possible reason is that the current era of low and negative interest rates is tempting many people to load up on mortgages, credit cards, auto loans and student loans.

Let’s say you’ve decided that debt relief is the right choice to help you pay off your debt. As you learn more about the debt relief process, you start wondering how it could affect your credit score. If it could leave a negative impact, should you still use a debt relief service? Here’s what you need to know about debt relief’s effect on your credit score, plus some tips on improving your score in the long run.

Dealing with even a small amount of debt may feel stressful and overwhelming. A debt-increasing interest charges and late fees to the mix, and it can get even more difficult to manage. 

When you decide to tackle your debt, you might want to look into a debt relief program such as debt resolution.

Updated July 2020

If you are considering debt consolidation or have already begun the process you might be concerned about what it could do to your credit score. It is common for credit scores to decline after consolidation, at least in the beginning. Fortunately, the effects are usually temporary and repairing your score is easier than you might think. 

Once you have paid down your debts, reduced your spending and made a reliable budget, you can adopt good habits that will help you repair your credit. 

When you’re struggling to manage multiple debts, you might wonder if debt consolidation is a good fit for you. It works by combining your multiple payments, and due dates (not to mention the multiple logins you have for each payment) into one convenient monthly payment.

Multiple debts lead to multiple accounts, interest rates, and payment due dates. Managing multiple debts can be difficult enough without the added stress of late or missed payments. If you feel like you’re drowning in debt, it may be time to consider debt consolidation.