How I Went Bankrupt at 23
For as long as Amanda Chatel could remember, her dad had warned her about the dangers of credit cards. Then she got to college and began ignoring those warnings -- repeatedly.
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Former Olympic Rower Turned to Minimalism to Pay Down $82,000 in Debt
Rachel Jonat spent most of her young adult life dreaming of Olympic medals and crossing finish lines. But the games came and went, and she began a new chapter as a wife and mother -- facing $82,000 in debt.
How I Paid Off $27,000 in Credit Card Debt in Two Years
Getting your finances under control on a tight budget is hard, But as Dana Burgess shows, it can be done. Here's how she racked up $63,000 in credit card debt, how she's digging her way out, and how she learned to enjoy living on less.
Debt Confessions of a Former Priest
When he left the priesthood in 2001, he was deep in credit card debt. He dug himself out eventually, but looking back he marvels at how easy it was to get into such a desperate situation.
What Blue States Can Teach Red States About Credit
It's not just politics that defines the differences between Republican-leaning "red states" and Democrat-leaning "blue states" -- and some of those differences may surprise you. For example, when it comes to credit scores, blue states are where the smart money is.
7 Small Mistakes That Will Hurt Your Credit Score
Most people understand that a bankruptcy or foreclosure will tank their credit score, but there are plenty of small mistakes you can make that will turn a good score into a mediocre one. Here are seven of the more common errors, plus tips on how to avoid them.
What Makes a Great Balance Transfer Credit Card?
If you're burdened by credit card debt, lenders want to help you -- by adding more plastic to your arsenal in the form of a balance transfer card, which offers generous up-front terms for moving your debt. And some of those offers are much more generous than others.
4 'Must Do' Money Moves to Achieve Fiscal Fitness
There are many roads to financial security, but whatever path you follow, there are some mandatory steps everyone ought to take along the way. Alexa von Tobel, founder of LearnVest.com, cuts through the thicket of advice to give us her essential keys to sound money management.
After Holiday Buying Binge Comes a Spending Diet
The holiday season was a heck of a party for retailers, but consumers are nursing a shopping hangover that'll keep them out of stores for a few months. "Now that those credit card bills are hitting mailboxes, shoppers will cut back in a very significant way," said Britt Beemer of America's Research Group.
Credit Card Use Is on the Rise
Credit cards are making a comeback. At the end of 2008, more consumers were using debit cards than credit cards but now that trend has reversed. It's hard for some consumers to resist: Banks have been ramping up solicitations and boosting incentives for credit cards over the past year in an effort to get them to choose credit over debit. But have the big banks changed their ways?
Financial Distress Is Rising Again, Report Shows
Americans' economic health appears to be edging closer to code red: The Consumer Distress Index fell sharply in the third quarter, indicating that more of us are falling behind financially.
A 4-Step Plan to Start Climbing Out of Debt Today
It can happen anytime after you get your first credit card. One day you look at the bill, and even the minimum payment is almost out of reach. Years of purchases spell out what seems to be a lifetime of repayments and a fortune in interest. Don't despair. You can climb out. Here's how.
3 Tips for Cleaning Up Your Finances After a Debt Storm
When you get deep into credit card debt, it can feel like you've been through a financial storm. That's the story for a social worker named Heather, who has $30,000 in credit card debt. DailyFinance's Laura Rowley looks at key steps to clear the debris from her path to a brighter financial future.