Debt

Getting organized doesn’t always mean spreadsheets and color-coded tabs. Organizing your debts  Some people love structure. Some need to see the big picture. Others avoid it all until it’s impossible to ignore. None of these are wrong, and any of them can be your way in. Let’s start by figuring out how you operate. What […]

Not all debt is bad. A mortgage might help you build equity. A student loan might have opened doors in your career. Even a credit card could be a helpful tool when used wisely. But sometimes, the debt that once made sense stops making sense. It outgrows your income, eats up your savings or adds […]

Think Beyond Your Credit Score When you’re applying for credit you might think your credit score is the only thing lenders care about. But the truth is more complex. Your credit score is just one piece of a bigger story. When lenders look at your credit report they are trying to understand how you manage […]

Debt looks different at every age. In your 20s, it might be student loans and starter credit cards. In your 50s, it could be helping your kids or aging parents. No matter where you are in life, your debt strategy should match your stage – not someone else’s. This guide walks you through what to […]

Owning a home or car is a lot of responsibility. And the loans that allow you to afford them are just as in need of regular attention as the engine in your car or the boiler in your basement.  This guide will show you smart, simple ways to speed up the payoff of your home […]

Knowing what you owe and where you owe it is only the first step of tackling debt. But now comes the big question: how do you actually pay all of it off? Not all bills are the same. A credit card bill, a student loan and a medical bill each come with different rules, costs […]

Imagine you’re online hunting for a sleek new tablet. At checkout a bright button offers you four easy payments instead of one big hit to your card. Tempting, right? Now picture making that same choice four more times this month. Suddenly you’ve added five mini-loans to your budget and it’s not even payday yet.  What […]

Debt can be confusing and scary and choosing the right strategy to escape it feels overwhelming — especially when you’re not confident in your money-management skills. Before you commit to a debt solution, comparing all your options is a great way to build your confidence. A clear side-by-side view helps you pick the plan that […]

You open your mailbox or check your email, and boom: There are bills from all directions, from credit-card bills, to loan statements, to medical bills. How do you begin to sort through the chaos? This guide is here to help you map everything you owe. And establishing your “debt landscape” is the first step toward […]

No one wants to be in debt — and if you’re working on digging your way out (kudos!) how and when you pay can matter just as much as how much. Some small changes in timing, habits and structure can help you get ahead faster, with less stress. Let’s look at some smart strategies to […]