Debt Management, 10 -YOU
Debt management requires an understanding of credit scores, credit cards, loans, and interest. And if you should find yourself in over your head, it pays to know your optionsâand your rightsâregarding collections and bankruptcy.
Debt Management Encyclopedia Articles By Title
10 ways the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you
One of the most important features of the U.S. debt collection process is that debtorsâand creditors, tooâhave......
6 key strategies for a debt management program
Are you looking to design a debt management program? Perhaps one of your goals is to avoid the debt collection......
7 benefits of good credit for your financial well-being
Youâve probably heard that having a good credit score is important if you want access to favorable mortgage terms......
7 steps to pay off student loans faster
When the pomp and circumstance after years of hard study dies down, many college graduates face a new challenge:......
Bankruptcy, credit counseling, and debtor education: 6 things to know
If youâre thinking about declaring bankruptcy, then youâll need to know something about credit counseling, because......
Cash back, points, or miles: Which credit card rewards are right for you?
Credit card rewards generally come in three forms: cash back, points, and airline miles. Each program offers different......
Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection: When financial issues hit a breaking point
When financial issues become so overwhelming that it looks like thereâs no way out, a chapter 7 bankruptcy filing......
Credit 101: Hard vs. soft credit check
Shopping for a loan? A lender may advise that you can get prequalified with a soft credit check. This inquiry provides......
Credit card companies: Whoâs who and how they make money
Trying to understand credit card companies can be a head-scratcher. After all, you see different credit card logos......
Credit limits: What they are and how to increase yours
Getting your first credit card or line of credit can be exciting. Now you have the flexibility in your finances......
Credit mix explained: How different types of accounts affect your credit score
Paying bills lateâor not paying them in fullâis the fastest way to damage your credit score. Thatâs well understood.......
Credit utilization ratio explained: Why lower is usually better
Credit utilization sounds technical, but the idea behind it is simple. It describes how much of your available......
Debt snowball or debt avalanche: Which is smarter for paying off debt?
You may have heard of the so-called snowball debt strategy, where you pay off your smallest balances first (regardless......
Deferred interest: How zero-interest credit cards and promotional rates can cost you
No-interest financing, often advertised as a 0% annual percentage rate (APR), is a common credit card promotion......
Facing a financial quagmire? Chapter 13 can help you create a repayment plan
Bankruptcy can be a jarring experience for individuals as well as sole proprietors. But if you find yourself in......
FICO vs. VantageScore: Why your credit scores donât match
Your credit scores rarely match across apps, lenders, or even the same credit report. In fact, you could check......
Filing for personal bankruptcy: What it is, how to do it, and when to consider it
We all have to deal with some level of financial burden at some point in our lives. Most burdens are manageable;......
Good debt vs. bad debt: Itâs all about targeting your goals
Debt may sound like a bad word, but donât let its reputation fool you. The risk is clear, but the other side of......
How debt collection affects your credit scoreâand steps you can take
If youâre facing debt collection, then you may be concerned about how unpaid debts can affect your credit score.......
How to dispute and fix credit errors: A step-by-step guide
Youâve heard that a good credit score helps you avoid higher borrowing costs, denied applications, or financial......
How to freeze your creditâand when to consider it
If a scammer gains access to your personal information, they could open fraudulent credit accounts in your nameâborrowing......
How to get out of student loan default and avoid wage garnishment
After a yearslong pause, the federal government resumed collections on student loans in default in May 2025, putting......
How to use credit cards to improve your credit score
Credit cards often present a cautionary tale about what not to do with your money. However, when used wisely, credit......
Means testing: Assessing your ability to pay
If youâre going through a rough financial patch, you may qualify for help through government assistance or bankruptcy......
Miles, points, or cash back?
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on April 29, 2026.......
Need financial help? Finding and working with a credit counselor
Whatâs it like to work with a credit counselor? How do you find one (and how do you know if youâve found the right......
Secured vs. unsecured debt: Understanding the difference and its impact on interest rates
Debt (that is, borrowing money and promising to pay it back with interest) is a common financial tool for individuals,......
Small credit agencies that sell your information to service providers
One of the more sobering things about adulthood is learning about the credit reporting system and how it can impact......
The big 3 credit bureaus and the info they gather about you
Credit reporting agencies exert a major influence on consumersâ lives in the United States. The big three credit......
The holiday spending hangover
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on February 25,......
Understanding credit cards: Their purpose, positives, and potential pitfalls
Credit cards. Theyâre the go-to choice for millions of consumer purchases, but we also have a love/hate relationship......
Understanding the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and Regulation Z
If youâve ever implicitly trusted that the terms you receive from a lender are accurate and legally binding, then......
Unexpected medical bills? The No Surprises Act can keep you out of debt
Medical bills can be confusing, especially if you sought care for an unexpected condition or injury. You could......
What counts as a good credit score?
When you apply for loans and other financial products, youâll probably agree to a credit check. The bank or lender......
What everyone should know about debt collection
If youâre wondering about debt collection and how it works, then you may have gotten yourself into a financial......
What happens to your credit score when a credit card closes?
When a credit card closes, it can trigger a lot of second-guessing, especially if you werenât expecting it. An......
What is a credit balance transfer? How it works and 3 benefits
Are you working on paying down debt, but high interest charges have been making the process slow and arduous? If......
What is a credit score? And is FICO really the only credit score that matters?
Youâve probably heard a car commercial that mentions how âwell-qualifiedâ buyers can get a 0% interest rate for......
What is buy now, pay later and should you take advantage of it?
Making a big purchase online can feel unmanageable, considering you either have to part with your money all at......
What is credit counseling and how does it work?
If you have debt, itâs easy for your obligations to become unmanageable. You may be feeling stressedâthatâs relatable!âbut......
What OBBBA means for federal student loan borrowers
Editorâs note: Federal student loan regulations and implementation guidance continue to evolve, and some repayment......
You can consolidate your credit card, student loan, and other debts, but should you?
If you have several debts from different places, you might be going nuts trying to keep up with all the various......
Your guide to payday loans, title loans, and other predatory loans
When youâre in a tight financial spot, you might be looking for a bit of help with your money. A small loan for......
Your guide to student loan forgiveness types
Student loan debt amounts to nearly $2 trillion in the United States, with about 43 million borrowers holding federal......