Utilities and Services Debt

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Managing Utility and Service Debt

The crisis of overextended personal debt often brings to mind maxed-out credit cards and overwhelming loan payments, yet a deeply consequential and st...

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Garnished Wages

The journey of overextended personal debt often follows a predictable and harrowing path, beginning with missed payments and culminating in the most s...

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What To Do During an Income Shock

The precarious equilibrium of managing overextended personal debt is a fragile state, entirely dependent on the consistent flow of a steady income. Th...

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Making a Personal Budget

The personal budget, in its most ideal form, is a blueprint for financial freedom, a tool for aligning dreams with dollars. Yet, for an individual gra...

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5 Signs You're Financially Overextended

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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Pay Off Debt

- 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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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

We treat money differently based on its source or intended use. A tax refund or bonus might be mentally labeled as "found money," making us more likely to splurge with it rather than use it to pay down debt, even though all money is fungible.

Its easy accessibility and the ability to make small minimum payments can create a false sense of affordability. This can lead to consistently carrying a high balance, which accumulates compound interest rapidly, causing debt to spiral out of control.

Providers may allow you to pay bills in monthly installments interest-free. This can make large debts manageable but requires timely payments to avoid default or collections.

If you have outstanding debt, creditors can sue you and potentially win a court order to garnish your wages. This includes up to 15% of your Social Security benefits (though disability and SSI are often protected). This can drastically reduce your primary income source.

If you are being sued, threatened with asset seizure, or dealing with aggressive collectors violating your rights, consult a consumer rights attorney. They can help protect your assets and navigate complex laws.