Get smart about debt — before you make a decision.
Debt relief is full of jargon, fine print, and shady actors. Our guides give you straight answers so you can choose the right path with confidence.
Cornerstone guides
The fundamentals. If you read nothing else, read these.
Credit card debt: every option, compared
Six realistic ways to get out from under card balances — payoff, balance transfer, consolidation, counseling, settlement, bankruptcy.
Read guideDebt settlement vs. consolidation vs. bankruptcy
Three very different paths out of debt. We break down how each works, what it costs, and who it's right for.
Read guideDebt snowball vs. avalanche: which payoff method wins?
Snowball for quick wins, avalanche for lowest interest. A worked example and a simple rule to pick the one you'll actually finish.
Read guideWhat happens if you don't pay credit card debt: a timeline
Day 1 to year 7 — late fees, charge-off, collections, lawsuits, garnishment, and where you can still change course.
Read guideMinimum payment calculator: minimums vs. debt relief
Enter your balance and APR to see how long minimums take, what they cost in interest, and how a program compares.
Read guideHow debt settlement affects your credit score
What actually happens to your credit during and after a settlement program — and how to rebuild.
Read guideTax implications of forgiven debt (Form 1099-C)
When forgiven debt counts as income, when it doesn't, and how the insolvency exclusion can help.
Read guideHow to spot a debt-relief scam
Red flags, the FTC rule that protects you, and the questions every legitimate company should answer.
Read guideWhat to expect: month-by-month in a settlement program
A realistic timeline of calls, letters, settlements, and milestones — from enrollment to graduation.
Read guideYour specific situation
Different hardships call for different playbooks. Find yours.
Sued by a creditor or collector? First 30 days
How to answer the summons, demand validation, negotiate, and avoid a default judgment.
Read guideMedical debt: every option you actually have
Charity care, itemized bill audits, settlement, and the new credit-reporting rules that protect you.
Read guideDebt relief after job loss, illness, or divorce
Hardship plans, forbearance, settlement, and bankruptcy — which fits which kind of hardship.
Read guideYour legal rights & protections
Federal and state law give consumers more leverage than collectors want you to know about.
Your rights when a debt collector calls (FDCPA)
What collectors can and can't do, how to demand validation, and how to make harassing calls stop.
Read guideStatute of limitations on debt — and how not to reset it
How long creditors have to sue, and the one mistake that can revive a dead debt.
Read guideWage garnishment and bank levies: limits and protections
Federal and state limits, exempt income like Social Security, and how to stop or reduce enforcement.
Read guideDebt validation letter: what it is and how to send one
Make a collector prove you owe the debt before they can keep collecting — with a template and the 30-day rule.
Read guideCease-and-desist letter: how to stop debt collector calls
The written notice that legally ends collector contact — plus the tradeoff to weigh before you mail it.
Read guideHow to stop wage garnishment: options at every stage
Exemption claims, motions to vacate, and negotiated releases — before, during, and after the deductions start.
Read guideHow much does debt settlement cost?
Our flat 25% performance fee, the federal ban on upfront fees, a worked $30,000 example, and how it compares to consolidation or bankruptcy.
Read guideCharge-off vs. collection: what changes when your debt gets sold
The difference between a charge-off and a collection account — and what to do when your debt gets sold to a debt buyer.
Read guideEveryday money moves
Practical ways to free up cash flow — from groceries to monthly bills to the split between saving and paying down debt.
Smart ways to save money on groceries in 2026
A realistic playbook to trim your food bill 15–25% without extreme couponing.
Read guideLowering your monthly bills: a room-by-room checklist
The one-afternoon audit that usually recovers $100–$300/month across utilities, streaming, insurance, and phone.
Read guideCash-flow budget: pay down debt or build savings first?
A simple month-by-month split so extra dollars grow both your emergency fund and your payoff progress.
Read guideSigns your debt is outpacing your income
Seven concrete signals that budgeting alone won't close the gap — and a calm next step for each.
Read guideSavings calculator
See an illustrative estimate of how much you could save and what a realistic monthly payment looks like. Adjust the sliders to match your situation.
Estimate your savings
IllustrativeImportant: Estimates are illustrative, not a guarantee. Individual results vary based on creditor, balance, and ability to fund the program. Program enrollment will likely adversely affect your credit. Read full disclosures in the site footer.
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