The math is brutal. At an average interest rate of 22%, all it takes is a revolving credit card balance of a few thousand dollars to find yourself in serious trouble, especially as the interest ...

Jill A. Chafin is a personal finance writer specializing in transforming tough financial topics into easy-to-understand content with actionable steps. Prior to her role at Forbes Advisor, she wrote ...

U.S. household debt hit a record $18.8 trillion in 2025, according to the New York Fed, fueld by increases in mortgage, credit card and auto loan balances. Credit card debt alone reached a record ...

When bills start to pile up, and minimum payments no longer feel manageable, many people search for a “debt relief program.” The term can refer to several different approaches. Each type of debt ...

Pursuing debt relief can be a smart move but it isn't always worth paying for. Here's when it could pay off.

Many Americans are deep in the red. In fact, household debt hit $18.59 trillion in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. As people find themselves drowning in ...

A debt settlement company can significantly lower credit card bills and other balances. But only if you meet the right criteria.

For veterans with debt, lots of help is available. Government, nonprofit, and private organizations offer a range of programs to help you get your finances back on track. Veteran debt relief grants ...

Switching debt relief companies may be a possibility, but it shouldn't be done impulsively. Yauhen Akulich/ . Right now, ...