Lifestyle and Budget

When an old debt resurfaces as you're trying to make a credit comeback, getting it listed as paid in full does the most benefit to your credit, but the most harm to your cash flow

If you already filed Ch. 7, you can file Ch. 13 to help bring your mortgage current, but be careful.

Paying the minimum amount could leave you in debt forever. Here's the way to pay it off feasibly.

If a spouse is serving out a prison sentence, but left behind card debt--who is responsible to pay it off?

Peer-to-peer loans -- made by individuals to other individuals -- are booming as a debt consolidation tool. Though they can be a deal, they aren't for everyone. 

Don't give up hope on getting a mortgage just because your credit score is not perfect.

Taking on new credit cards to get sign-up bonuses and then canceling the cards will ding your credit score, and your ability to get a loan. 

One out of five people who complained about their credit report said it contains information that does not even belong to them, but how do you get them fixed?

Americans are getting better at paying off their credit card bills and avoiding interest charges, but about a third are still struggling to pay more than the minimum

Will ignoring calls from a debt collector threaten your creditworthiness?

With high card debt, no job and a desire to return to school, will qualifying for a student loan be insurmountable?

As retirement approaches, it's time to review your collection of credit cards to make sure they're still working for you.

Many young adults are already struggling to get out from student loan debt, but what if they need to take on more debt for a car or a home? 

It's worthwhile to see if your home insurance policy has this sneaky exclusion.

After struggling to pay your debts, you're ready to consider bankruptcy. It's time to contact a lawyer to represent you, but which one?

It's easy to miss documents and not file statements when you file for bankruptcy yourself.

Which is a better way to pay $5,000: a credit card balance transfer or a bank loan?

Americans are constantly bombarded with offers to borrow money, so learning to say no is an essential survival skill.

If you have $4,000 in card debt and are five months behind on the bill, is it better for your credit score to settle the bill or pay it off? 

If you can afford to pay off a high-cost loan, do it. Don't stick with a bad loan in the false belief that it will help build your credit score.