---
title: Debt
description: 'This is our bread and butter: Money has decades of experience covering all aspects of debt management. Whether you’re looking for tips to manage debt, advice on paying it off, or strategies to improve your financial health, we’ve got you covered.'
top_level: true
total_pages: 3
canonical: https://money.com/debt/
language: en
type: CollectionPage
source: category-blades
---

# Debt

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> *Sponsored by Achieve.com. Terms and conditions apply. NMLS# 138464 Our editorial team controls sponsored content creation, ensuring high standards for quality, relevance, and accuracy. Compensation for featuring sponsored content doesn't compromise our editorial objectivity.*

**Debt guide at a glance: from debt basics to [debt relief](https://www.freedomdebtrelief.com/)**

## Latest News and Trends

- [For Most Americans, Financial Success Now Means Being Debt-Free](https://money.com/americans-define-financial-success/) — Debt · 5 min read
- [Half of Americans Plan to Take on Holiday Debt. Here’s How to Avoid It](https://money.com/how-to-avoid-holiday-debt/) — Shopping · 7 min read
- [Even People With Credit Cards Are Flocking to Buy Now, Pay Later](https://money.com/bnpl-popular-despite-credit-cards/) — Shopping · 4 min read
- [Credit Card Rewards: Experts Say Watch for These Changes](https://money.com/credit-card-fee-accord/) — Rewards Credit Cards · 10 min read
- [Buy Now, Pay Later Is Pushing Its Way Into Everyday Shopping With Physical Cards](https://money.com/bnpl-physical-cards-everyday-shopping/) — Credit Card · 7 min read
- [Debt Collection Calls Are Skyrocketing in These States and Cities](https://money.com/debt-collector-call-complaints-surge/) — Collections · 4 min read
- [A Growing Share of Americans Are Struggling to Pay Their Credit Card Bills](https://money.com/americans-credit-card-bills-struggle/) — Credit Cards · 4 min read
- [Americans Now Hold a Record $1.2 Trillion in Credit Card Debt](https://money.com/americans-have-record-credit-card-debt/) — Credit Card Debt · 4 min read
- [3 Signs That America's Debt Crisis Is Growing](https://money.com/debt-statistics-crisis-growing/) — Debt · 5 min read
- [America’s Credit Card Crisis: Here’s How High the Average Balance Is Now](https://money.com/average-credit-card-balance-increase-transunion/) — Credit Card Debt · 3 min read
- [Americans Are Increasingly Worried About Missing Monthly Debt Payments](https://money.com/americans-worried-missing-debt-payments/) — Personal Finance · 4 min read
- [Credit Card Delinquencies Reach Highest Level in Over a Decade](https://money.com/credit-card-delinquencies-high-federal-reserve/) — Credit Card Debt · 4 min read
- [The Surprising Way Inflation Can Be Good for People With Debt](https://money.com/inflation-easier-to-pay-off-debt/) — Inflation · 4 min read
- [Which Generation Has the Most Debt? It's Not Millennials](https://money.com/generation-with-most-debt-gen-x/) — Student Loan Debt · 6 min read
- [The Personal Loan Industry Is Booming — Here’s Why](https://money.com/personal-loans-booming-popularity/) — 6 min read

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> *Terms and conditions apply. NMLS# 138464*

## Debt 101: Brush up on the basics

- [How Credit Counseling Can (and Can’t) Help With Your Debt](https://money.com/how-credit-counseling-can-help-with-debt/) — Debt Management · 10 min read
- [6 Things Debt Collectors Aren't Allowed to Do](https://money.com/things-debt-collectors-legally-cannot-do/) — Collections · 13 min read
- [Struggling With Debt? Here Are 4 Options to Get Things Under Control](https://money.com/options-if-you-are-struggling-with-debt/) — Debt Management · 11 min read
- [Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche: Which Payoff Strategy Is Right for You?](https://money.com/debt-snowball-vs-debt-avalanche/) — Debt Management · 10 min read
- [What is a Debt Management Plan?](https://money.com/what-is-a-debt-management-plan/) — Debt Management · 13 min read
- [Secured Debt vs. Unsecured Debt: What's the Difference?](https://money.com/secured-debt-vs-unsecured-debt/) — Debt Management · 6 min read
- [What's a Good Debt-to-Income Ratio?](https://money.com/good-debt-to-income-ratio/) — Debt-to-income Ratio · 5 min read
- [3 Signs You’re Too Casual About Debt](https://money.com/signs-too-casual-debt/) — Credit Card Debt · 11 min read
- [Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator](https://money.com/debt-income-ratio-calculator/) — Debt-to-income Ratio · 13 min read

## Credit Card Debt: Smart Ways to Manage Your Balance

- [4 Signs It's Time to Negotiate Your Credit Card Debt](https://money.com/negotiate-credit-card-debt-good-idea/) — Credit Card Debt · 11 min read
- [3 Warning Signs That You Have Too Much Credit Card Debt](https://money.com/warning-signs-too-much-credit-card-debt/) — Credit Card Debt · 9 min read
- [5 Ways to Ditch Your Credit Card Debt for Good](https://money.com/ways-to-pay-off-credit-cards/) — Credit Card Debt · 14 min read
- [How to Consolidate Credit Card Debt](https://money.com/how-to-consolidate-credit-card-debt/) — Credit Card Debt · 13 min read
- [5 Popular Strategies People Are Using to Escape Credit Card Debt](https://money.com/strategies-to-escape-credit-card-debt/) — Credit Card Debt · 6 min read
- [What Is a Balance Transfer and How Does It Work?](https://money.com/what-is-a-balance-transfer/) — Balance Transfer Credit Cards · 11 min read
- [Credit Card APRs Hit a Record High — and Critics Blame ‘Greedflation’](https://money.com/credit-card-apr-record-high/) — Fees · 5 min read
- [1 in 3 Divorced Americans Say Credit Card Debt Played a Role in the Split](https://money.com/credit-card-debt-factor-in-divorce/) — Credit Card Debt · 4 min read
- [Americans Have Never Been So Far Behind on Their Credit Card Bills](https://money.com/credit-card-debt-record/) — Credit Card Debt · 5 min read

## Payoff Tips: Expert advice to help crush your debt

- [Debt Diaries: How These 3 People Paid Off Tens of Thousands of Dollars in Debt](https://money.com/debt-diaries-how-people-got-out-of-debt/) — Credit Card Debt · 10 min read
- [You Might Be Using the Wrong Strategy to Pay Down Your Debt](https://money.com/best-strategy-to-pay-down-debt/) — Debt Management · 12 min read
- [Answer These 6 Questions to Find the Right Debt Payoff Plan](https://money.com/plan-to-pay-off-debt/) — Debt Management · 10 min read
- [Here’s How Much Debt the Average American Has](https://money.com/average-american-personal-debt-amount/) — Debt Management · 5 min read
- [These Free Financial Counseling Services Can Help Crush Your Debt](https://money.com/free-financial-counseling-list/) — Financial Advisors · 6 min read

## Debt consolidation: How to simplify and pay off multiple debts

- [When You Should (and Shouldn't) Take Out a Personal Loan to Pay off Debt](https://money.com/use-personal-loan-to-pay-off-debt/) — Debt Consolidation · 13 min read
- [Here's When You Should Use a HELOC to Consolidate Your Debt](https://money.com/should-you-use-heloc-to-consolidate-debt/) — Debt Consolidation · 7 min read
- [How Does Debt Consolidation Affect Your Credit?](https://money.com/how-debt-consolidation-affects-credit/) — Debt Consolidation · 6 min read
- [3 Smart Ways to Consolidate Debt](https://money.com/ways-to-consolidate-debt/) — Debt Consolidation · 10 min read
- [Pros and Cons of Using a HELOC to Consolidate Your Debt](https://money.com/heloc-to-consolidate-debt-pros-cons/) — Debt Consolidation · 8 min read
- [6 Tips to Make Debt Consolidation Work for You](https://money.com/tips-to-succeed-consolidating-debt/) — Debt Consolidation · 10 min read
- [Pros and Cons of Consolidating Your Debt](https://money.com/pros-cons-debt-consolidation/) — Debt Consolidation · 11 min read
- [What Is Debt Consolidation and How Does It Work?](https://money.com/understanding-debt-consolidation/) — Debt Consolidation · 14 min read

## Debt relief and debt settlement: Everything you need to know

- [Debt Consolidation vs. Debt Relief: Which Is Right for You?](https://money.com/debt-consolidation-vs-debt-relief/) — Debt Relief · 8 min read
- [Debt Relief vs. Bankruptcy: Which Is Right for You?](https://money.com/debt-relief-vs-bankruptcy/) — Debt Relief · 9 min read
- [Is Debt Settlement a Good Idea?](https://money.com/is-debt-settlement-a-good-idea/) — Debt Relief · 9 min read
- [6 Steps to Make Debt Relief Programs Work for You](https://money.com/how-to-succeed-with-debt-relief-programs/) — Debt Relief · 9 min read
- [Will Debt Relief Hurt Your Credit Score?](https://money.com/will-debt-relief-hurt-credit-score/) — Debt Relief · 11 min read
- [Here's Exactly What Happens When You Work With a Debt Relief Company](https://money.com/how-debt-relief-companies-work/) — Debt Relief · 11 min read
- [Credit Counseling vs. Debt Relief: Which Is Right for You?](https://money.com/credit-counseling-vs-debt-relief/) — Debt Relief · 9 min read
- [5 Must-Ask Questions Before You Sign Up for a Debt Relief Program](https://money.com/questions-to-ask-debt-relief-companies/) — Debt Relief · 10 min read
- [What's the Difference Between Debt Relief and Debt Settlement?](https://money.com/difference-between-debt-relief-and-debt-settlement/) — Debt Relief · 7 min read
- [5 Things People Get Wrong About Debt Relief](https://money.com/debt-relief-myths/) — Debt Relief · 9 min read
- [What Is Debt Relief and How Does It Work?](https://money.com/what-is-debt-relief/) — Debt Relief · 15 min read

_Page 1 of 3._

[Next](https://money.com/debt.md?page=2) · [Last](https://money.com/debt.md?page=3)

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