Using Home Equity to Pay Off Credit Cards: The Risks
A home equity loan or line of credit can offer a lower rate than your cards, but it puts your home on the line. Here is how it works and what to weigh before you borrow.
Topic
Debt Relief Options
Settlement, consolidation, management plans and bankruptcy, with the trade-offs of each.
Debt Management Plan vs. Consolidation Loan
Both turn several card payments into one, and both have you repay what you owe. Here is how a debt management plan and a consolidation loan differ, and who each one fits.
Secured vs. Unsecured Debt: Why It Matters for Debt Relief
Whether a debt is tied to something you own changes what happens if you can't pay and which debt relief options can help. Here is the difference, in plain language.
Credit Counseling: What It Is and How to Find a Good Counselor
A credit counselor can review your budget, explain your options and sometimes set up a debt management plan. Here is what to expect and how to tell a good counselor from a bad one.
Debt Settlement vs. Bankruptcy: How They Compare
When debt is too big to repay in full, settlement and bankruptcy are the two paths people usually weigh. Here is how they compare on cost, time, credit and legal protection.
10 Questions to Ask Before You Sign Up for Debt Relief
Before you sign any debt relief agreement, get clear answers on fees, timing, risks and your other options. These ten questions help you compare offers and avoid surprises.
Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: The Basics
Bankruptcy is a legal process, not a failure. Here is how Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 differ, who each one fits, and what to know before you talk to an attorney.
Is Forgiven Debt Taxable? What to Know About Form 1099-C
If a creditor forgives part of what you owe, the IRS may treat that amount as income. Here is how canceled debt is taxed, what Form 1099-C means and when exceptions like insolvency apply.
7 Signs a Debt Relief Company Is a Scam
When you're stressed about debt, scammers know exactly what to promise. These warning signs, straight from federal regulators, can help you spot them.
How a Debt Management Plan Works
A debt management plan rolls your card payments into one monthly payment through a nonprofit credit counselor. Here is how it works, what it costs and who it fits.