The crisis of overextended personal debt is rarely the result of a single poor decision. Instead, it is typically the culmination of several intersect...
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The crisis of overextended personal debt is deeply intertwined with a pervasive and often overlooked contributing factor: widespread financial illiter...
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Are you managing your debt? Or is it managing you? If you're stuck in a money quicksand trap, you may not even realize at first that you're in a finan...
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- Start by taking inventory of all your outstanding debts. - Look for ways to maximize your disposable income so you can put more money towards your ...
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Entering one’s twenties often marks the beginning of true financial independence, a period of exciting possibilities juxtaposed with significant eco...
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Navigating the labyrinth of healthcare debt requires a unique blend of financial strategy and systemic understanding, distinct from managing other for...
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Have an open money conversation. Each person identifies their individual values, and then you work together to define shared values as a family. The spending plan is then built around funding these shared priorities, making financial decisions a collaborative effort.
An income shock is a sudden, unexpected reduction or loss of income. This can result from job loss, reduced work hours, a pay cut, disability, illness, divorce, or the death of a primary income earner.
Focus exclusively on repayment and building positive payment history. A "thin file" means your score is highly sensitive to negative actions. Avoid new credit applications. Your goal is stability and reducing debt, not optimizing a minor factor like mix diversity.
Debt settlement severely damages your credit score, as accounts are reported as "settled" rather than "paid in full." Creditors are not obligated to negotiate, and you may be sued while funds accumulate in a dedicated account. Fees can also be high.
Non-profit agencies focus on education and counseling, often offering DMPs with reduced interest rates and waived fees. For-profit settlement companies aim to negotiate lump-sum settlements for less than you owe, which can severely damage your credit and involve high fees.
