getting out of 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.

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.

One of the toughest days in many people's lives comes when they realize that their parents need financial help. Especially if your mom and dad were always there for you when you needed them, it's only natural to want to return the favor when they need you. Here's how you can help your folks -- and what you definitely shouldn't do.

Becoming debt-free isn't just about using solid money-management techniques and effective debt-elimination strategies. It's also about having the right mindset to get out of debt.

This is the fourth installment in our Paying Off Your Debt series that looks at how real people beat their debt for good. Gerri Helms, 61, was nursing wounds from a divorce, up to her ears in $32,000 of debt and considering bankruptcy. But instead of taking that fateful step, the Orlando, Fla....

Today, I'm going to share with you a system to help you get out of debt called DOLP, which stands for "done on last payment." The DOLP system is the cornerstone of your Debt Free For Life plan. I've talked about it for over a decade, and I've taught it to millions of people. It's simple and it...

It's a familiar time of year for many of us: We're making New Year's resolutions, even as we're getting hit with the annual holiday shopping hangover. Many of us come to the conclusion this month that perhaps we spent a wee bit too much last year on gifts, holiday decorations, eating out with...

Kate Bingaman-Burt's new book may offer just the solution to lowering credit card debt -- draw a picture of almost every purchase you make. Bingaman-Burt doesn't draw a picture of everything she buys, but she chronicles at least one thing every day, from magazines and candy to books and pizza, by...

This is a great concept written about by a blogger who is working to pay down debt and free her family from financial imprisonment. She calls her blog "I've Paid For This Twice Already," in honor of those credit card purchases that rack up interest month after month, resulting in many people paying...