Getting Out of Debt

A look at tips from a few of our favorite personal finance bloggers on getting a job after college, paying off student loans and saving for retirement.

Just because you’ve attained wealth doesn’t mean you’ll keep it. In 2011, the number of millionaire households in the U.S. dropped by nearly 2.5% ...

If you have a refund check coming your way, consider using it to bolster your personal balance sheet. The average refund has been around $3,000 for the ...

You can now pay your bills directly through one of our picks for best budgeting sites -- but it'll cost you.

Learn how card issuers will respond when you miss payments.

If your loans are holding you back—or you simply want to chip away at what you owe—try these strategies.

Think long and hard before you tap long-term retirement savings to pay off a short-term debt.

Believe it or not, these cards help whittle your balance.

As a result of the new tax law, most Americans will see their paychecks increase in January -- just in time to pay off Christmas credit-card purchases.

Sometimes whittling down credit-card balances trumps saving for retirement.

It depends on the type of debt you have and how generous your employer is with its retirement plan.

The law doesn't make it easy, and it's not something you should tackle on your own.

There are several steps you can take to ensure your credit rating isn't ruined.

You're headed for trouble if you pick up these distress signals.

Follow these tips to get your debt under control.

Debt-settlement agencies that promise relief can add to woes.

To pay down your plastic, stay focused -- and use these tips to make the task easier.

Whether or not you owe money, the law protects you from abusive practices.

Consider getting help from a credit-counseling agency if any of these five situations apply to you.

In over your head? Some banks are offering relief to credit-card holders.

When you're looking for a firm to help you get out of debt, don't rely on an Internet search.

Discharging your debts by filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 can wreck your credit, but it offers a fresh start.

Strategies to pay off debt.

To dig out, cut spending and get counseling.

Strategies to avoid foreclosure.

The feds haven't been much help so far. You're better off negotiating with your lender.

After dealing with her husband's out-of-control debt, Amy Smith went to bankruptcy court. <b>As told to Joan Goldwasser</b>

Fred Williams, a reporter for the Buffalo News, worked for three months at a debt-collection agency to see how one operates. Here is his report.

How to stay on top of your finances when life throws you a curve.

In the face of an unpredictable economy, can you withstand a fiscal crisis? We'll show you four steps to take to protect your household from falling into ...

What you need to know before you whip out your plastic or fill out a loan application.

Don't rely on a former spouse to pay a loan that's in both of your names -- your credit report will suffer if he or she is delinquent.

Borrowers with stellar credit will grab the best deals on mortgages, credit cards and car loans.

New lending rules make it harder to borrow against your home.

Years of struggling to get ahead have been a blessing in disguise. Here are six principles to a fulfilling financial life no matter how little you have.

Many companies have special rules that let members of the military suspend payments without penalty.

Party's over and the bills come due this month. Follow this formula to pay off your credit cards and nurse your finances back to health.

We tell you whether to save or pay off debt, and how to make sure your Social Security number doesn't get in the wrong hands.

Look for the six telltale symptoms that your debt load may be reaching critical mass. Then, try these remedies to get on top of the problem.

A director finds few happy endings in a film about America's love-hate relationship with easy credit.

Keep your debt within reason by calculating the amount you can pull together out of savings and current income.

Don't be lured into using a home-equity loan or line of credit to consolidate your bills. Consider these options instead.

Here are five ways to lighten the load of what you owe, no matter how daunting the task.

Sometimes it doesn't make much sense to pay the money you owe.

Your best defense against unjustified or illegal collection actions is to know your rights.

Hardball tactics target the innocent or cross the legal line.

How to prioritize your financial goals.