Follow this chart to see whether a credit counselor, a debt relief company, or a DIY approach is right for you.

Debt can destroy your financial dreams. Whether you carry a small balance on your credit card each month or are staring up at a mountain of financial obligations, debt makes it impossible to get ahead ...

Trina Paul is a Breaking News and Personal Finance Writer at Investopedia, covering topics like retirement, consumer debt, and retail investing. She focuses on making complex financial topics ...

With only so much money coming into your bank account each month, it can feel challenging to decide where to allocate it, especially when you have competing priorities. After all, paying down debt, ...

Americans are continuing to face mounting financial pressure in today's economic landscape, and it's taking a major toll on their financial and mental health. One of the main drivers is inflation, ...

Adam Hayes, Ph.D., CFA, is a financial writer with 15+ years Wall Street experience as a derivatives trader. Besides his extensive derivative trading expertise, Adam is an expert in economics and ...

If worrying about how to pay off debt keeps you awake some nights, late-night television abounds with alleged solutions. Some ads even promise to get rid of your debt for "pennies on the dollar." Fall ...

Credit card debt is often the most costly type of debt Americans can take on, largely due to the incredibly high interest rates many cards carry. On top of credit card debt being at a record high, the ...

A home equity loan can be a good option to consolidate debt, as it usually carries lower interest rates and longer terms than other financing options. Advantages of using home equity loans or HELOCs ...

It's the time of year when even the best-laid budget plans get thrown aside, and credit-card balances start climbing. During the holiday season, it's common to set expectations high, which can easily ...

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. When an account lands in collections, it can have lasting implications ...