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Need to Skip a Loan Payment Because of COVID-19? Talk to Your Lender Now
Molly Zilli

April 9, 2020

It's normal to question whether you'll need to skip a loan payment during these precarious…

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Debt Relief for Business Owners
Michael Micheletti

December 13, 2019

Debt is a familiar problem for small businesses. Learn about the debt relief options available…

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Best Apps to Payoff Credit Card Debt
Thilini Wijesinhe

March 7, 2023

Paying down debt isn't easy, but it doesn't have to be hard either, particularly if…

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How to pay off credit card debt: strategies, comparisons, and tips
Aaron Crowe

April 9, 2023

Paying off your credit card debt can seem overwhelming. We’ve come up with 7 ways to do it within 3 years or so.

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How to Manage Student Loan Debt
Justine Nelson

November 11, 2019

If you have a large student debt load, you're not alone. Here are several options…

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Survey: Americans Are (Still) Struggling With Debt
Tammi Huang

June 7, 2019

Our recent survey revealed what our debt problem looks like, but what can those struggling…

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Meet Our Clients: Peggy and Howard
John Russo

May 21, 2019

Find out how our clients, Peggy and Howard Powell saved money and got out of…

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Study: Freedom Debt Relief Helps Clients Reduce Stress
John Russo

April 12, 2019

A study from the L. William Seidman Research Institute found that Freedom Debt Relief helps…

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4 Bad Ways to Pay Off Debt
Charla Myers

November 8, 2018

There are better and worse ways to approach paying off your debts. Some types of…

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10 Warning Signs of Financial Trouble
Tammi Huang

September 30, 2018

Understanding how to spot the warning signs of financial trouble is the first step toward…

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The Case for Debt Settlement: The AFCC Study
Ann Condron

February 21, 2018

This infographic of a 2017 study by the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC) shows how…

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The Truth About America’s Debt Crisis
Tammi Huang

July 3, 2017

What is the American debt crisis, and what can you do to become less of…

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Does Paying Off Debt Improve Your Credit Profile?
Tammi Huang

September 9, 2013

Many people who have debt problems often suffer from a bad credit profile as well.…

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5 Unexpected legal outcomes of ignoring credit card debt
Richard Barrington

August 11, 2024

Learn what might happen if you ignore your credit card debt, and the best ways to handle it.

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What is a 401k Plan?
Jacqueline Backman

July 15, 2013

What is a 401k plan? If you're just starting out, or even if you have been working for a while, learn more about using a 401k to save for your retirement.

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How to Use a Secured Credit Card and Build Credit
Karen Cordaway

March 8, 2023

Secured credit cards can help you start building or rebuilding your credit in a matter of months. Discover how they work here.

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Couponing: A Beginner’s Guide
Sarah Li Cain

June 13, 2013

Whether you clip them out of newspapers, flyers, grab them when you enter the store,…

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Hardship Loans for Bad Credit
Erik J. Martin

June 19, 2024

Hardships are never easy to experience, but you may be able to weather the storm with these options.

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How to Deal With Overdraft and a Negative Bank Account
Erik J. Martin

December 7, 2022

Significant consequences can result from having a negative bank account, including fees. You can fix a negative account by transferring money from another account, avoiding transactions with the overdrawn account, and other strategies.

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Authorized Users Are Not on the Hook for Unpaid Credit Card Debt
Peter Warden

June 19, 2024

Authorized users aren’t on the hook if the account holder dies or defaults. Don’t fall for debt collectors’ scare tactics.

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How to Cope and Consolidate Your Credit Card Debt When Unemployed
Rebecca Lake

July 8, 2020

Unemployed with credit card debt? Here are ways to manage it: contact creditors, apply for aid, budget, avoid adding debt, and consider consolidation

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Debt Validation Letter - How to Validate a Debt
Richard Barrington

February 12, 2023

When should you validate a debt? When a debt collector contacts you, respond within 30 days or they may assume the debt is legitimate. Learn how to validate a debt.

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How Long Does it Take to Garnish a Bank Account?
Peter Warden

March 30, 2022

When can a bank take your money; can debt collectors take money from your bank account.

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Debt Relief for the Unemployed
Peter Warden

October 31, 2024

You can still access debt relief if you’re unemployed, but you have fewer options. Discover how you can manage debt while jobless.

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Can You Raise Your Credit Score 100 Points Overnight?
Richard Barrington

October 11, 2022

You can't raise your credit score 100 points overnight; however, there are several steps you can take to improve...

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When Can You Use a Credit Card Forbearance Program?
Miranda Marquit

March 5, 2023

Credit card forbearance can offer temporary relief when you’re struggling. Find out more about how a forbearance program can get you back on your feet.

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Should You Go Debt-Free? Pros and Cons of Debt-Free Living
Gina Freeman (Pogol)

January 6, 2022

Is being debt-free a good goal to have? Debt-free living does not mean never borrowing — it means managing your borrowing and developing good spending habits. Learn…

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How Does Debt Settlement Work?
Noelle Marr

September 1, 2021

Debt settlement could substantially reduce the amount of debt you owe, but how does it work? Learn about Freedom Debt Relief’s 4-step process.

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What Is the Lowest Credit Score?
Peter Warden

November 7, 2022

While very rare, the lowest possible credit score is 300. However, any credit score under 500 is low and under 580 is sub-prime. A low credit score can…

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Debt Settlement Pros and Cons
Gideon Sandford

April 30, 2023

What are debt settlement pros and cons? Before signing up for a debt settlement program, learn about the benefits and pitfalls including...

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Payday Loan Consolidation: What Are My Best Options?
Richard Barrington

August 21, 2022

Payday loans and cash advances are very expensive. Payday loan consolidation can give you a lower interest rate and more time to repay your debt.

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How to Write a Debt Settlement Letter
Rebecca Lake

November 9, 2022

A well-written debt settlement letter is crucial to the debt negotiating process. You should outline the details of the debt-settlement offer and the terms...

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What Is Credit Counseling?
Rebecca Lake

January 21, 2022

What is credit counseling? How credit counseling works. What it’s like to go through credit counseling.

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Is An Authorized User Responsible For Debt?
Richard Barrington

January 8, 2023

Authorized users can use an account with the responsibility to pay. Read this to find out how it works.

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How to Open a Bank Account That No Creditor Can Touch
Peter Warden

September 13, 2022

There are four tactics for protecting deposits from creditors.

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Pros and Cons of Debt Consolidation
Peter Warden

July 21, 2022

Learn the pros and cons of debt consolidation

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How to use hardship programs to temporarily suspend credit card payments
Richard Barrington

July 18, 2024

Credit card hardship programs might help you catch up on debt payments. Here’s how they work

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How to Get a Debt Consolidation Loan With Bad Credit
Rebecca Lake

March 31, 2022

How to consolidate debt if you have bad credit. Bad credit debt consolidation loans can help you lower your payments and your interest rate.

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What Is a Government Debt Relief Program?
Rebecca Lake

February 21, 2022

Government debt relief programs exist for student debt, tax debt, and certain mortgage debt. However, there is no government credit card debt program, so...

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How to Stop Debt Collection Calls
Gina Freeman (Pogol)

January 31, 2021

If your debt has gone to collections, debt collection calls can be intrusive and stressful. Learn your rights and how to stop debt collector calls.

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Debt settlement companies: What they are and how to find one
John Russo

January 17, 2019

Before signing up for a debt settlement company, learn about the risks and benefits of debt settlement by asking the company these 4 questions.

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Debt Management Program: What it is and How to Find One
Charla Myers

June 25, 2018

If you're struggling with your debts, one option is to enroll in a debt management program, which may help you with a debt strategy and get better rates.

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How Do I Talk to Someone I Want to Help Get Out of Debt?
Charla Myers

December 5, 2017

Is there someone close to you that you want to help get out of debt? Be patient, be empathetic, and try these 7 talking points.

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What is Predatory Lending?
Charla Myers

November 12, 2018

What is predatory lending? There's no official definition, but predatory lenders take advantage of borrowers with excessive rates and little transparency.

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How to deal with debt collectors: 9 practical tips to stay calm and take control
John Russo

August 22, 2018

Fielding debt collection calls can be very stressful. Learn how to deal with debt collectors and manage that stress better.

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Defensive Strategies in Court for Credit Card Debt Lawsuits
Richard Barrington

June 19, 2024

Being sued for unpaid credit card debt requires some tough choices. Here are 7 options to consider.

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Zombie Debt: Don’t Let It Rise To Bite You
Gideon Sandford

February 7, 2023

If an old debt threatens to claw its way out of the past to haunt you, you might not have to pay it. Our expert explains.

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What is Unsecured Debt?
Richard Barrington

May 26, 2022

You may have heard the term unsecured debt and wondered what it means. Learn more about unsecured debt, secured debt, and how to manage them both.

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Can You Inherit Credit Card Debt?
Tammi Huang

October 24, 2013

Can you inherit credit card debt from your parents? Usually not, but there are a…

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