Bad credit, credit repair, credit scores

Erica Sandberg: You can pay someone else's debt and not be liable for it -- A daughter elects to help her dad with his collection payments, but he wonders if she will then be held responsible for the debt ... (See Paying someone else's debt)

Q&A: Former Patriots cornerback Eugene Profit now runs for the money -- A five-year veteran of the NFL talks about why so many young players fall to financial ruin and what he did to avoid falling into the same pattern ... (See Eugene Profit)

Tanisha Warner: Failing to pay the minimum can get you sued -- It's a common question: Can credit card companies sue you if you pay, but don't pay enough. Unfortunately, if you have to ask, you probably won't like the answer ... (See Minimum payment failure)

Sally Herigstad: Can bankruptcy tap surprise inheritance? -- Having filed for Chapter 13, a woman discovers a surprise inheritance and worries whether she has to turn over the funds to her trustee ... (See Inheritance and bankruptcy)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Feb. 1, 2012: Credit card rates hit lowest levels in 5 months -- Interest rates on new credit card fell to their lowest levels since August 2011 this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Dad racks up charges on son's credit card -- A father fraudulently opened a credit card in his son's name and charged $5,000. Now he can't pay more than the minimum. What are his son's options? ... (See Credit card fraud)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Jan. 25, 2012: Credit card APRs unchanged for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers held steady for the second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Infographic: Bankers predict more credit cards, more delinquencies -- The next six months will likely see more people becoming delinquent with their credit -- and seeking more credit at the same time, according to a January 2012 survey by the Professional Risk Managers' International Association ... (more)

How to shape up your finances in 12 months -- The 12 months in a fresh new year give you 12 opportunities to get your credit shaped up and your budgeting under control. Here, experts offer one seasonally relevant idea for each month of 2012 to do exactly that ... (See Shape up your finances)

Sally Herigstad: Do you marry someone who has big debt? -- He may be Prince Charming, but marrying someone who is carrying a lot of debt can put a serious crimp in your ability to plan for the future ... (See Marriage and debt)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Jan. 18, 2012: Credit card rates hold steady -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Sally Herigstad: Dealing with unethical debt collectors -- If a collector threatens to throw you in jail over an unpaid debt, it's time to read him your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ... (See Fair Debt Collections Practices Act)

Infographic: 1 in 5 say better money management is top 2012 goal -- Handling money better is always one of the top New Year's resolutions, and 2012 is no different, according to a January 2012 poll from Chase ... (more)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Jan. 11, 2012: Average APR drops following First Premier move -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, due to a sharp APR drop for the priciest card in our survey. ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Mom's on hook for daughter's card debt -- A daughter uses bankruptcy to delete debt only to discover her mom is responsible for $24,000 on a credit card she co-signed more than 20 years ago ... (See Co-signers and card debt)

Infographic: Medical bill trouble often part of larger money woes, survey says -- Have trouble paying your medical bills? Chances are that other aspects of your finances are suffering, too. That's according to a December 2011 survey from the Center For Studying Health System Change ... (See Medical bill woes)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Jan. 4, 2012: Credit card rates steady as 2012 begins -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged to start the new year, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Who do you pay when a debt goes into collection? -- When an unpaid debt is charged off and sold to a collector, who do try to negotiate a settlement with: the original creditor or the collector? ... (See Debt collection)

CreditCards.com survey: Penalty rates creep higher, but become rarer -- In the wake of the Credit CARD Act's restrictions, many card issuers no longer bother with penalty rates. But CreditCards.com research finds for those that retain them, the rate is even higher ... (See Penalty rates)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Dec. 28, 2011: Interest rates drop for the 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell for a second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Military families under fire -- from predatory lenders -- They may be formidable fighters, but to predatory lenders, soldiers are seen as young, naive and easy pickings ... (See Military money)

Troops coming home from Iraq will have to navigate financial land mines -- Returning soldiers can face lower pay, the loss of legal protection and temptations all around them to spend ... (more)

Sally Herigstad: Will bankruptcy stop wage garnishment? -- Before you even think of filing bankruptcy, make sure you've explored all the wage garnishment exclusions that you may qualify for ... (See Wage garnishment)

Helping military families avoid financial troubles -- Experts offer advice to troops on guarding their IDs, avoiding scams ... (more)

Gary Foreman: You're marrying your fiance's debts, too -- If your future spouse has present debt, discuss it openly, keep your accounts separate and consider a long engagement to see if your intended can straighten up financially ... (See Fiance's debt)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Dec. 21, 2011: Credit card rates dip as holiday shopping nears end -- As the holiday shopping season nears an end, interest rates on new credit card offers fell from their record highs this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Tanisha Warner: Not paying your credit card bill after a rate hike won't help -- New columnist Tanisha Warner answers a question from a reader who just had her credit card rate hiked. She's thinking about not paying the bill. Tanisha says: No ... (See Rate hike)

Sally Herigstad: When does a debt get too old to collect? -- Hoping that your debt will get too old to be collectible is a risky proposition, not to mention a bit unethical ... (See Statutes of limitations on card debt)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Dec. 14, 2011: Credit card interest rates shoot to record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers surged to a record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Trying to escape a high APR via a balance transfer -- Trying to transfer a spouse's high-interest debt to your balance transfer card? Not all issuers will allow that to happen ... (See Balance transfer card)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Dec. 7, 2011: Credit card interest rates dip for 1st time in a month -- Interest rates on new credit card offers dipped slightly this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Kim McGrigg: Dad's bankruptcy may force daughter to pay joint card debt -- A worried mom wants to know if her daughter will be stuck paying the debt on a credit card she held jointly with her dad. Unfortunately, our expert says, that's likely the case ... (See Joint account)

Gary Foreman: Broke? Bad credit? Recent bankruptcy? Say humbug to lousy holiday loans -- If you're recovering from hard times, don't succumb to the lousy loan choices you have available. Find frugal ways to enjoy the season ... (See Bad credit and holidays)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 30, 2011: Credit card APRs remain in holding pattern -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Credit Card Help: Why your credit report matters more than your credit score -- Focusing only your credit score is like focusing only on your cholesterol number or your age – the number’s important, but not as important as how you got there. That’s why the real key to credit is your credit report ... (See Credit reports versus scores)

Sally Herigstad: Can wages be garnished before court date? -- If you've been served for past-due debt, don't wait until the official court hearing to respond or you may find your wages garnished before you're prepared ... (See Wage garnishment)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 23, 2011: Credit card APRs unchanged as holidays near -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week as banks took their traditional Thanksgiving break from changing rates, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Can I go back to college if student loans are in default? -- Unpaid student loans can haunt you for the rest of your life, but shouldn't keep you from pursuing your dreams of finishing college ... (See Unpaid student loans)

Sally Herigstad: Who pays secret debt in divorce? -- When a spouse living in a community property state has secret debt that comes to light during a divorce, just who has to pay for it? ... (See Secret debt in divorce)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 9, 2011: Credit card interest rates hold steady -- The average interest rate on a new credit card offer stayed static this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. However, that doesn't mean that all of the nation's largest credit card issuers were sitting on their hands ... (See Rate report)

Debtors to collectors: Show proof the debt is really owed -- With legislation and regulation aimed at leveling the playing field, a growing number of states are requiring collectors to prove a debt is really owed ... (See Debt collection rules)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 9, 2011: Credit card APRs inch up, near record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers inched up this week for the first time in a month, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Make sure your payments make a dent in your debt -- Debt payments that don't seem to diminish your total debt can get frustrating. You have three options: pay more, seek help or bail ... (See Debt repayment tips)

Sally Herigstad: When bankruptcy makes sense -- With a sick spouse, $20,000 in credit card debt and a small salary, a woman wonders just how she is going to make ends meet.You probably can't, says Sally ... (See When bankruptcy makes sense)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 2, 2011: Credit card interest rates see 2nd drop in 3 weeks -- Interest rates on new credit card offers inched lower for the second time in three weeks, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Jeremy M. Simon: In honor of 100th column, Jeremy M. Simon's 3 favorite credit scoring questions -- For my 100th column addressing reader questions on credit scores and reports, I've taken a look back at some of emails that most surprised, challenged or amused me. ... (See Credit Score Report)

Kim McGrigg: Can you apply for credit after Chapter 13 bankruptcy? -- Even if you just want to use it for emergencies, a new credit card can be hard to get following Chapter 13 bankruptcy. However, you may have options ... (See Chapter 13 and new credit)

Great American financial failures: From Jefferson to Disney -- It’s easy to scoff at millionaire celebrities who declare bankruptcy, but overextended credit is a time-honored American tradition. Some of our greatest heroes have fallen victim to bad investments and living beyond their means. ... (See Great American financial failures)

Sally Herigstad: What benefits are exempt from garnishment? -- An unemployed Oregonian worries that her unemployment and Social Security will be garnished for unpaid credit card bills ... (See Wage garnishment)

TransUnion asked to stop selling credit reports to employers -- A coalition of consumer advocacy groups has called on credit bureau TransUnion to end the sale of credit reports to employers. ... (See Credit scores and employment)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Oct. 26, 2011: Credit card interest rates hold steady -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

6 money tips for late-in-life divorces -- Few leave marriages of any length unscathed, but the financial impact is often more extreme for those who've been together for decades ... (See Divorce money tips)

Jeremy M. Simon: Mending a credit score hurt by a student loan default -- A reader who defaulted on a co-signed student loan wonders whether a debt settlement is the best path to rebuilding her high credit score ... (See Student loan default)

Kim McGrigg: What to do when collectors pursue your time-barred debt -- Your debt may be really old, but that may not stop debt collectors from trying to get you to pay. Our expert lays out what to do if this happens to you ... (See Time-barred debt)

Sally Herigstad: Dissolving debt dissipates marital discord -- When too much debt keeps your family down, taking steps to pay it off can open up new doors of opportunity ... (See Debt and family)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Oct. 19, 2011: Credit card APRs see 1st drop in 3 months -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell for the first time since July, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Predictive analytics: Issuers' crystal ball into card spending patterns -- Card issuers turn to algorithms to determine if you are about to leave them or are having trouble paying your bills -- and allows them to step in to turn the tide ... (See Credit card predictive analytics)

Jeremy M. Simon: In U.K., unheeded court order can clobber your credit -- A U.K. reader learns that a county court judgment that wasn't repaid within one month can tarnish his credit for years ... (See UK credit)

7 ways to protect your credit rating during unemployment -- Losing your job is bad enough; take these steps to minimize the damage and prevent trouble from iniltrating another part of your financial life ... (See Keeping credit during unemployment)

Sally Herigstad: Is an heir liable for her parent's credit card debt after death? -- A daughter inherited $70,000 from her father's estate, but it turns out he owes $400,000 in credit card debt. Will she have to forfeit her cash? ... (See Death and card debt)

4 types of money pros: What they are, how to find the right one for you -- Most of the time, a do-it-yourself ethic is all you need to keep your finances in line. But even the smartest amateurs can use some expert advice from time to time ... (See Money professionals)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Oct. 12, 2011: Credit card APRs reach another record high -- Another week, another record for credit card interest rates. APRs on new credit card offers reached 15 percent for the first time in the four-year history of CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Is 'unfreezing' a card a good thing? -- After a bank "freezes" your card due to nonpayment and a maxed-out status, will thawing it out help or hurt your credit score? ... (See Card suspension)

Sally Herigstad: Can debt judgments follow you overseas? -- If you leave the country -- and your debts -- behind, what are the chances that collectors and the law will find you to make you pay up? ... (See Leaving debt in U.S.)

Experian gets personal to teach about credit, but it'll cost you -- Got a question about your credit report? A major credit bureau is now offering consumers the chance to have their questions answered over the phone by a real, live person -- for a price ... (more)

How fnancial troubles sometimes actually help relationships -- Sometimes it takes an extreme situation to bring people together -- an illness, accident or even an act of terrorism. But what about a financial crisis? ... (See Financial troubles and relationships)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Oct. 5, 2011: Credit card rates unchanged, remain at record highs -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained at record highs this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Jeremy M. Simon: Authorized user's bad credit won't hurt primary cardholder -- A reader with bad credit worries that becoming an authorized user on her friend's credit card with lower her friend's credit score. ... (See Authorized users)

Cathleen McCarthy: Bankruptcy and frequent flier air miles - are they an asset, or protected? -- With 300,000 miles and $60,000 in debt, a reader fears his air miles might be seized if he files for bankruptcy. Our expert says his concerns are justified ... (See Bankruptcy and frequent flier miles)

Q&A with Mark Neeb, new head of debt collectors' association -- WIth the economy remaining in shambles, you might think these would be plush times for debt collectors. You'd be wrong, says the new head of the collectors' association, who says his industry is smarting from fewer bad debts and more regulation. ... (See Q&A with Mark Neeb)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Sept. 28, 2011: Credit card rates reach another record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers edged up to another record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Biggest losers of debt: Michigan couple honored for paying $92,000 credit card debt -- The federal government could learn a thing or two about debt reduction from Jerry and Sue Bailey, who have been honored for paying off their $92,000 credit card debt ... (See Biggest losers of debt)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Sept. 14, 2011: Credit card rates stay at record highs for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as rates' upward climb paused following several volatile weeks ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Steps to starting over after losing everything -- Re-entering the workforce after a long-term illness in which you lost everything can seem daunting, but starting somewhere can make all the difference ... (See Starting over)

Jeremy M. Simon: Don't let bad credit keep you from landing a job -- Although some employers consider job applicants' credit histories when making hiring decisions, bad credit doesn't have to keep you from finding work ... (See Credit scores and jobs)

Kim McGrigg:Mortgage trumps title when it comes to foreclosures, credit -- Your name may no longer be on the title of your foreclosed house. But, our expert says, if it's still on the mortgage loan, there's still going to be a black mark on your credit ... (See Foreclosures and credit)

Sally Herigstad: Some spend lavishly right up to bankruptcy court -- A reader is miffed that his brother continues to spend on lavish vacations and purchases, even though he has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy ... (See Spending prior to bankruptcy)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Sept. 14, 2011: Credit card rates climb to another record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers climbed to another record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Kim McGrigg: How to prioritize debt payments when your income falls -- It's all too common these days: A down-on-his-luck cardholder struggling to make ends meet confronts more bills than he can pay, and needs help prioritizing them ... (See How to prioritize debt)

Can you get a credit card after bankruptcy? -- While the days of easy credit are over, credit card issuers still have products for bad credit customers to use to rebuild their credit profiles ... (See Credit after bankruptcy)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Sept. 7, 2011: Credit card rates stay at record highs -- Interest rates on new credit card offers stayed at record highs this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: In a debt management plan? No new credit for you -- If you have negotiated with lenders through a credit counseling service to pay down your debt, the last thing you want to do is take on new loans ... (See Debt management plans)

Jeremy M. Simon: In credit scoring, a good payment history trumps all -- Don't worry about removing an old delinquent account from your credit report, our expert says. It's more important to have a strong payment history than a long one ... (See Payment history and FICO scores)

5 ways to rebuild credit after bankruptcy -- More than a million people filed for bankruptcy last year, and though it stays on your credit report for years, you can start turning your credit around in as little to 12 to 18 months ... (See Build credit after bankruptcy)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 31, 2011: Credit card rates rise to record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose to a new record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Record high rates)

Sally Herigstad: Help! Ex-spouse won't pay on co-signed car loan -- Even if your divorce decree says he has to pay, the bank doesn't care and has every right to go after the co-signer for payment ... (See Divorce and co-signed loans)

Gary Foreman: How charge-offs work, how they affect your credit -- The phrase charge-off comes from the world of financial accounting, but if one happens to you, expect the damage to your credit to be substantial ... (See Charge-offs)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 24, 2011: Credit card rates jump to near-record levels -- Interest rates on new credit card offers jumped to a near-record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Set up charging rules on co-signed card -- A financially reformed mom co-signed on a card for her college-bound son, but worries that he may return her to financial ruin ... (See Co-signed credit card)

Sally Herigstad: How likely is it you'll be sued for unpaid debt? -- The likelihood of being sued for not paying outstanding credit card debt depends on a variety of factors, but take action before that happens ... (See Odds of being sued for debt)

6 tips for avoiding the 'freshman $15,000' -- The first year of college is famous for weight gain, known as the "freshman 15," but it's also bad for gaining debt. Six college students reveal how they gained, then shed, their "freshman $15,000" ... (See Freshman debt)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 17, 2011: Credit card APRs unchanged for 3rd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Weigh all costs when doing a balance transfer -- When thinking about transferring your balance to a lower rate card, you need to do the math and have a plan before you card-hop ... (See How to evaluate a balance transfer)

Jeremy M. Simon: Beware of interest charged on closed accounts in debt collection -- Collection agencies are allowed to charge you interest on debts in closed credit card accounts -- unless your card contract or state law says otherwise ... (See Interest on debt)

Kim McGrigg: New rules force banks to protect funds from garnishment -- At least part of Social Security income is protected from wage garnishment, and a new rule means banks must take steps to safeguard it ... (See Garnishment rule)

Cleveland tops list of cities most improved in on-time credit card payments -- San Antonio, Cincinnati, Houston and Dallas round out the top five cities that have improved most at reducing the number of credit card accounts more than 60 days late ... (more)

Sally Herigstad: Keep creditors at bay during bankruptcy filing -- Her lawyer went on vacation before her filing was finished, and now she's being sued by a creditor. What are this reader's options? ... (See Bankruptcy filing)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 10, 2011: Credit card APRs unchanged in wake of U.S. credit downgrade -- Despite the downgrade of the nation’s credit rating and an announcement from the Federal Reserve, interest rates on new credit card offers stayed the same this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Sally Herigstad: Will bankruptcy impact an authorized user? -- Without a job and in debt, a wife considers bankruptcy, but asks if her husband is liable for debt on a credit card on which is an authorized user ... (See Authorized user, bankruptcy)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 3, 2011: Card APRs unchanged as run of declines stalls -- Credit card interest rates held steady this week, ending a two-week run of declines that brought APRs down from record levels ... (See Rate report)

Want to dive back in to credit cards? Ask hard questions first -- The same credit card issuers who may have dumped you or slashed your limit in recent years may suddenly be finding you more attractive. But how can you know if you should dive back into the relationship? ... (See Go back to your cards?)

Jeremy M. Simon: Can you remove a bankruptcy from your credit report? -- If you do a strategic bankruptcy filing -- but the move is never completed -- you may be able to have any mention of it removed from your credit report, but it won't be easy ... (See Bankruptcy)

Kim McGrigg: Are you liable for your late spouse's card debt? -- The death of a spouse can bring with it many financial questions, including whether you are liable for paying his or her debts. The answer, sadly, isn't so simple ... (See Debt and death)

Kim McGrigg: Don't worry if resold loan appears twice on credit report -- The same loan may appear multiple times on your credit report -- once with the original lender and again with the collector -- but it only impacts your credit once ... (See Credit report)

First Premier sues Fed, watchdog agency over new credit card rules -- Subprime issuer First Premier and its marketing arm are suing the Federal Reserve and the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over new credit card rules slated to take effect in October ... (See Lawsuit)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, July 27, 2011: Credit card APRs take 2nd straight dip -- Credit card interest rates dipped for the second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Auto repair, credit and debt issues top consumer complaint list -- A survey of government consumer agencies puts auto repair and credit and debt issues at the top of the complaint list, and budget cuts mean the agencies can't keep up with the volume ... (more)

Feds lay down rules for contacting relatives of deceased debtors -- Collecting money from the relatives of deceased debtors is fine, new federal guidelines say, but debt collectors must be transparent about what they do ... (See Death and debt colletion)

Nonprofits innovate to help low-income people establish credit -- With good credit increasingly important to living a mainstream life, the agencies are finding ways to step into the gaps that prevent people from starting and building credit ... (See Credit help)

What reality TV teaches us about credit and spending -- A slew of reality TV shows are tapping into our collective concern about saving money, spending it, turning clutter into cash and dealing with debt ... (See Reality TV money lessons)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, July 20, 2011: Business card drop sends credit card APRs off record highs -- Business card interest rates took a dip this week, sending overall credit card APRs down from record highs, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

10 financing options for cosmetic surgery -- Tummy tucks, facelifts and nose jobs don't come cheap and are rarely covered by insurance. So just how do you come up with the cash to get the look of your dreams? ... (See Paying for plastic surgery)

15-minute fixes for your credit score -- Spending just 15 minutes on these expert tips can give your credit score anywhere from a small bump to a major boost ... (See Quick credit fixes)

Report highlights consumer confusion about credit scores -- In a report released Tuesday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau protection agency acknowledged that consumers have good reason to feel confused about their credit scores. ... (See Credit report confusion)

Kim McGrigg: How much can a debt collector take from your paycheck? -- If you have a written deal with a debt collector to withdraw a set monthly amount from your bank account, the collector can't take a penny more. If he does, spring into action ... (See Debt collected from your pay)

Get out of debt smartphone apps -- Creating and sticking to a budget may not be fun, but using your smartphone to help you get out of debt sure beats updating budget spreadsheets on Quicken and Excel ... (See Debt-fighting smartphone apps)

Sally Herigstad: Duped by son, mom stuck with $20,000 debt -- What is a 76-year-old woman to do when she co-signs on credit cards and a car loan for her adult son and then he files for bankruptcy? ... (See Co-signing dangers)

State by state bankruptcy statistics, 2005-2011 -- Bankruptcies reversed course and fell in 2011, but it's not just due to debt aversion. We may just be running out of people who benefit from filing ... (See State bankruptcy statistics)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, July 13, 2011: Credit card APRs stay at record highs -- Summer vacationers, beware: Credit card interest rates stayed at record heights for a second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

How your FICO credit score is calculated: Length of credit history -- It may not be the most important factor used to calculate your FICO credit score, but without at least some length of credit history, you won't have a score at all. ... (See FICO score)

My credit, myself: Young adults using credit to boost self-esteem -- In an uncertain world, recent research shows that for some 20-somethings, it just takes a quick swipe of a credit card to feel like they’ve got everything under control ... (See Credit and self-esteem)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, July 6, 2011: Credit card APRs hit record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers soared to record heights this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

New Fed, FTC rules mean more free credit scores for consumers -- Final rules issued by the Federal Reserve and Federal Trade Commission mean more credit applicants will be receiving free credit scores starting later this month. ... (See Free credit scores)

Erica Sandberg :How do banks determine a credit card's credit limit? -- When banks issue you a credit card, how do they figure out how much credit to give you? Part of it is secret, the other part not so much ... (See Credit limits)

Credit court: TV judges' best cases and advice -- Three top celebrity gavel-wielders reveal their most unforgettable credit and debt cases -- and give some free legal advice to boot ... (See TV judges)

Kim McGrigg: Declared bankruptcy? You can still be an authorized user -- A reader wonders if he can still be listed as an authorized user on his wife's credit card account if he declares bankruptcy ... (See Credit after bankruptcy)

Sally Herigstad: It's a bad idea to pay one credit card and stop paying the others -- A reader wonders what would happen if she tried to pay off one credit card bill first and not pay on the others. Our expert says she'll only make matters much worse ... (See Stop paying cards)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, June 29, 2011: Credit card APRs see rare drop -- Credit card interest rates fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report -- just the second drop since March ... (See APRs fall)

Erica Sandberg: Will student's credit suffer if mom doesn't pay school loans? -- A mom wants to know if if her son's credit will be in jeopardy if she cannot make the payments on a Parent PLUS college loan ... (See Student loans)

Jeremy M. Simon: Want accurate, negative info off your credit report? Good luck -- A reader wonders if she could request that she could have some negative information removed from her credit report. Not likely, if the data is accurate. ... (See Credit report)

QA with Matt Paxton, host of TV's 'Hoarders' -- The 'Secret Lives of Hoarders' author and TV host goes about helping with brutal honesty and a connoisseur's appreciation for the smell of decomposition ... (See Matt Paxton, "Hoarders" host)

Sally Herigstad: Collectors can refuse partial payments -- Our expert dispels the myth that submitting a partial payment on an old debt will prevent a collection agency from taking you to court ... (See Debt collection myth)

Credit card interest rates move higher, near record levels -- Credit card interest rates rose slightly this week, edging closer to record heights. The national average APR on new card offers climbed to 14.84 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Beware of debt relief phone call promises -- A woman wonders if those debt relief phone callers can help cut her $20,000 in credit card debt in half ... (See Debt settlement)

How your FICO credit score is calculated: Payment history -- In the calculation of your FICO credit score, no factor is more important than your payment history. That history's comprised of many complex components, but ultimately, it comes down to paying your bills on time, every time ... (See Credit score payment history)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, June 15, 2011: Credit card APRs unchanged for 3rd straight week -- Credit card interest rates stayed steady again this week, but that doesn't mean issuers were sitting on their hands ... (See Rate report)

5 money 'rules' meant to be broken -- You've heard all the financial truisms, and while many have a kernel of truth, some axioms should get the ax ... (See 5 money rules to break)

Sally Herigstad: How many times can creditors buy old debts? -- Negative credit information should fall off your credit report after seven years, but sometimes collectors disregard the rules ... (See Get rid of old debt)

CreditCards.com weekly rate report, June 8, 2011: Interest rates unchanged for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged for the second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Steps to make good on a defaulted student loan -- A reader wants to make good on a defaulted student loan and wonders how to go about "rehabilitating" it ... (See Student loans)

7 big post-divorce money mistakes -- Breaking up is not only hard to do, it can be brutal on your finances -- especially if you commit one of these big financial goof ups ... (See Divorce and money)

Kim McGrigg: To raise credit score, pay delinquent debt? Or declare bankruptcy? -- A reader so deep in debt she's weighing bankruptcy wonders how to get good credit in a year. Years plural, says our expert. ... (See Bankruptcy)

Sally Herigstad: Inheritance rules after you've filed for bankruptcy -- A reader wants clarification of the 180-day rule about inheriting money after you've filed for bankruptcy ... (See Bankruptcy and inheritance)

Credit card application rejected? 3 steps to getting next one approved -- Rejected for a new credit card? Take these steps to make sure that the next time you apply for new plastic you are approved ... (See Credit rejection)

CreditCards.com weekly rate report, June 1, 2011: Interest rates unchanged this week -- The average annual percentage rate (APR) on new credit card offers was unchanged this week, staying fixed at 14.83 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Daughter's credit at risk when mom defaults -- A mom defaulted on three credit cards where her minor child was an authorized user. She wonders if her daughter's credit is in jeopardy ... (See Piggybacking)

Jeremy M. Simon: Who's to blame for mom's falling FICO? -- A mother thinks her falling FICO score may be the fault of her financially troubled daughter. But a look at the mom's credit reports will confirm who's really to blame. ... (See Credit score)

Want a secured card? Experts offer advice on managing secured card accounts -- Secured cards have higher rates and fees, but their terms vary, so it pays to comparison shop and ask questions ... (more)

Navy FCU secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the Navy FCUsecured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (more)

Redstone FCU secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the Redstone FCU secured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (more)

San Diego FCU secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the San Diego FCU secured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (more)

Suncoast Schools FCU secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the Suncoast Schools FCU secured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (more)

The Golden 1 CU secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the The Golden 1 CU secured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (more)

US Bank secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the US Bank secured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (more)

Wells Fargo secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the Wells Fargo secured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (more)

AmeriCU secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the AmeriCU secured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (more)

Bank of America secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the Bank of America secured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (more)

Capital One secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the Capital One secured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (See Capital One secured credit card fees)

Citibank secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the Citibank secured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (more)

Digital FCU secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the Digital FCU secured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (See Digital FCU secured credit card fees)

Fifth Third Bank secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the Fifth Third Bank secured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (See Fifth Third Bank secured credit card fees)

GTE FCU secured credit card fee schedule -- Here's the 2011 fee schedule for the GTE FCU secured credit card, according to the CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com annual Credit Card Fee Survey ... (See GTE FCU secured credit card fees)

Kim McGrigg: Will card debt hold up my Australian visa? -- A reader ran up credit card debt in Australia, left, and now wants to move back. Will the debt jeopardize his return? ... (See Card debt and visas)

Sally Herigstad: How canceled debt can come back as a tax bill -- After her debt was written off in 1998, a reader is socked with a tax bill for $1,392 for the debt cancellation. She wonders if this is legal and if she really has to pay it ... (See 1099-C tax for canceled debt)

Debtors Anonymous: What you can expect -- If your financial situation has led you to Debtors Anonymous, but you've been too afraid to go to a meeting, here's what you can expect ... (See Debtors Anonymous)

CreditCards.com weekly rate report, May 25, 2011: Average APRs fall on new card offers -- A move by Wells Fargo to cut the rates on two of its popular rewards cards caused the national average to fall in CreditCards.com's weekly rate report ... (See Weekly credit card rate report, May 25, 2011)

QA with Adam Baker of Man Vs. Debt -- Blogger Adam Baker shares his journey from a traditional, credit card-driven lifestyle to one where he and his wife owe no one ... (See Adam Baker)

Erica Sandberg: Rejected: How your credit history impacts card approvals -- A student is rejected for a new credit due to a limited credit history and wonders what he can do to boost his credit scores further ... (See Credit history)

Why overexposing kids to money problems is a bad idea -- Parents who use money to control their kids or share too much information about financial problems can create lasting damage ... (See Financial incest)

Sally Herigstad: Years of caregiving can lead to bankruptcy -- A reader gave up everything to care for her ailing mom and now faces mounting debt, no money and no job. Is bankruptcy the answer? ... (See Bankruptcy and debt)

5 mental money traps to avoid -- Turning your finances around is never easy, and these five mental money traps can keep you from making much progress ... (See Money traps)

Credit card interest rates climb higher -- Credit card interest rates jumped this week, after Discover raised the rate on one of its business cards. But that wasn't the only troubling news for those looking for a business credit card. ... (See Rate report)

Jeremy M. Simon: Lost a court case? Your credit score could take a hit -- A reader facing a lawsuit after a car accident needs to protect herself from the credit score impact from any resulting judgment against her ... (See Lawsuits and credit scores)

Horsing around with credit card debt: a cautionary tale -- CreditCards.com's Erica Sandberg relays a story about one memorable encounter she had as a credit counselor with someone who needed a reality check about her finances. See what you can learn from her story about Mary and her daughter's horse riding lessons ... (See Credit card debt)

Credit card interest rates stay steady -- Interest rates on credit card offers stayed static this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, though banks aren't standing idly ... (See Weekly rate report, May 11, 2011 )

7 questions to ask when choosing a secured credit card -- If you're shopping for a secured credit card, chances are you can't afford to make a mistake. These questions will help you find a good one ... (See Secured credit cards)

Erica Sandberg: Are credit protection plans worth the cost? -- In all her years working with people with credit problems, our expert has never heard someone exclaim, 'My credit protection plan was a lifesaver!' ... (See Credit protection plans)

Jeremy M. Simon: Settling delinquent debt won't remove it from your credit report -- A reader wants to get old delinquent debt off his credit report. Our expert says that unless the debt isn't really his, he's out of luck and debt will stay there for seven years ... (See Delinquent debts)

Credit card interest rates move higher -- Credit card interest rates moved higher this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Interest rates)

Sally Herigstad: Government benefits protected from garnishment -- A disabled woman is being harassed by collectors for an unpaid $300 credit card bill. A new law protecting government assistance funds is on her side ... (See Protected from garnishment)

QA: Holly Petraeus tackles those who prey on military families -- As the daughter of one general and wife of another, Holly Petraeus gets fighting mad at those who prey financially on soldiers. Now she can do something about it ... (See Holly Petraeus)

Jeremy M. Simon: Scheming to ruin an ex's credit score isn't wise -- A woman with lousy credit wants to ruin her ex-boyfriend's good credit by adding him as an authorized user on her card account. But should she reconsider her plan? ... (See Piggybacking scheme)

FICO reveals credit score damage from paying mortgage late and foreclosure -- Data shared by credit scoring giant FICO shows the point damage -- and length of recovery time -- that can follow several types of mortgage payment mishaps ... (See Mortgages and credit scores)

New rule protects exempted funds from garnishment orders -- For debtors who face frozen bank accounts due to a garnishment order, a new rule prevents exempted funds from being temporarily seized ... (See Wage garnishment)

Credit card interest rates unchanged again -- With the cost of gas and groceries rising, consumers can take some solace in one thing that hasn't changed much lately -- credit card interest rates ... (See Rate report, April 27, 2011 )

6 myths about credit report checks by employers -- Are employers truly weeding out applicants by checking potential employee credit reports? The reality may surprise you ... (See Employee credit checks )

Kim McGrigg: Debt on his late mother's credit card haunts son -- He was only an authorized user on his late mother's card, but a mistake lays his mother's charged-off debt at his feet, hurting his credit score ... (See Authorized user)

Sally Herigstad: 5 steps to take when debt collectors threaten to put a lien on your home, property -- The FTC prohibits collectors from threatening to put a lien on your property for unpaid debt -- unless they really intend to follow through ... (See Property liens)

How to remove yourself or someone else as an authorized user on a credit card account -- Card issuers' policies vary in the details, but If you've been added as an authorized user on another person's credit card account, call the issuer if you want to be removed ... (See Authorized user)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Shift in student cards sends credit card interest rates higher -- The average annual percentage rate (APR) on introductory credit card offers climbed to 14.67 this week, its first jump since late February ... (See Credit card Weekly Rate Report, April 20)

Bankruptcy filings fall in first quarter of 2011 -- The economy has improved and tight credit means there's less debt to file over, but it's not clear that the decline in bankruptcy will last ... (See Bankruptcy filings)

Lawsuits over credit card debts spike in California, Nevada, Florida -- Courts officials in Nevada, Florida and California -- the states hardest hit by recession -- report they're seeing a parade of credit-card debt cases ... (See Credit card debt lawsuits)

Sally Herigstad: Why co-signing on a card for an ex is a mistake -- An elderly divorcee co-signed on a credit card to help her ex-husband. Then he died, leaving her to deal with the collection calls and debt ... (See Credit card co-signing)

Credit card interest rates unchanged for 5th straight week -- Interest rates on credit card offers remained unchanged for a record fifth straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, and experts say that’s good news for consumers ... (See Rate report)

Sally Herigstad: Don't settle on a debt for more than you can pay -- When a debt goes into collections, don't agree to a payment plan that you can't realistically pay each month. Explore your budget and your options first ... (See Debt collection)

7 free ways to reduce the stress caused by money, finances -- If you want to solve those money problems, you need a clear mind, healthy body, experts say. Here are simple ways to get them back ... (See Money stress)

Erica Sandberg: How new U.S. residents can build a credit history -- A new U.S. resident wants to build good credit but is baffled by the credit scoring system. Our expert shows him how to get started on the road to great credit ... (See Building credit)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report: Credit card interest rates steady for record 4th straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers held steady for a record fourth straight week on Wednesday, according to CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report. But that doesn't mean issuers are sitting on their hands. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates unchanged for record 3rd straight week -- For the first time since CreditCards.com began tracking interest rates in 2007, APRs on new credit card offers remained unchanged for a third week in a row, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Fed survey: Recession robbed net worth of 6 in 10 American families -- A Federal Reserve survey puts numbers to what we already know: The 2007-2009 Great Recession took a horrible toll on most families ... (See Recession robbed net worth)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report: Credit card interest rates unchanged for second straight week -- The average annual percentage rate (APR) on new credit card offers remained unchanged at 14.65 percent for the second straight week, according to CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

10 credit commandments for young professionals -- The money habits you form in your 20s can set you up for financial success -- or failure. Be savvy with your cash early and reap the rewards later ... (See New to credit)

Sally Herigstad: Protecting your credit during a divorce -- When faced with divorce, it's important to seek the advice of an attorney before agreeing to leave your home or trying to pay off joint debt ... (See Divorce and debt)

6 financial mistakes to avoid in divorce -- If you're not careful, a divorce can wreck your credit and your financial future. Protect yourself against these common financial mistakes ... (See Money and divorce)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report: Credit card interest rates stay steady -- The average annual percentage rate (APR) on new credit card offers held steady at 14.65 percent on Wednesday, according to CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report. ... (more)

Are you suffering from a money disorder? Maybe it's time to consider financial therapy? -- Do you overspend, blow your budget, obsess over your cash (or lack of it?). Then a new breed of expert -- financial therapists -- are ready to help ... (See Financial therapy)

Erica Sandberg: Mom ruined your credit? 7 steps to recover it -- A young man is starting his career with bad credit, thanks to his mom stealing his identity years before. Our expert outlines how he can get his credit back on track ... (See Recover from ID theft)

Todd Ossenfort: The Credit Guy's top 5 money tips -- After writing his column for the past three years, columnist Todd Ossenfort leaves his readers with these top five financial lessons ... (See Top 5 money lessons)

QA with 'Super Rich' author and hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons -- In a wide-ranging interview, the hip-hop entrepreneur promotes spirituality, peace and defends the fees on his prepaid RushCard ... (See Russell Simmons)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report: Barclays' move sends credit card interest rates lower -- Credit card interest rates inched lower for the second straight week as more banks begin testing offers for the spring ... (See Credit card rate report, March 9, 2011)

How to react to these 7 cringe-worthy credit moments -- Your card's been declined, an employer wants to run your credit report and your landlord laughs when he runs your credit. How to handle these embarrassing situations with aplomb ... (See Cringe-worthy credit moments)

Todd Ossenfort: Can collectors come after your inheritance? -- Public records are perused by debt collectors. If they find out you've inherited a chunk of cash, don't be surprised if they come out of the woodwork ... (See Debt collection)

Credit card interest rates see 1st drop of 2011 -- Credit card interest rates declined this week for the first time in nearly three months. But it’s not all good news for consumers, as card offers for applicants with poor credit continue to be costly ... (See Credit card rate report, March 2, 2011)

Consumers lack basic credit score knowledge, survey shows -- According to a new survey from VantageScore and the Consumer Federation of America, two of every three Americans believe -- incorrectly -- that a consumer's age is a factor used in calculating a credit score. But that's not the only misconception. ... (See Credit score)

Todd Ossenfort: Neglecting one credit card bill can ruin your credit -- A reader has four credit cards, but only wants to pay on three of them. He wonders what will happen if he follows through ... (See Not paying credit card bills)

Sally Herigstad: Bankruptcy can steal inheritance, even if it hasn't yet been received -- A reader wants to file for bankruptcy, but worries the judge will tap her deceased father's lawsuit settlements bequeathed to her to pay off her debts ... (See Bankruptcy and inheritance)

Gary Foreman: Renters: How to protect yourself if your landlord faces foreclosure -- A federal law temporarily provides some protection against instant eviction, but check to see if the mortgage is being paid ... (See Renters face foreclosure, too)

Credit card interest rates rise to highest level since December -- Credit card interest rates rose slightly this week -- puncturing a multiweek lull in which all 30 credit card issuers that CreditCards.com tracks left interest rates alone. ... (See Credit card rate report, Feb. 23, 2011)

Survey: Recession still hurting saving, retirement funds -- A national survey finds that the lingering effects of the recession are causing more Americans to become concerned about its impact on their personal finances ... (See Recession's financial effects linger)

Debt collectors seek right to 'robocall' cell phones -- The next debt collection battleground is your cell phone. Debt collectors say autodialing debtors is good for consumers, but the move may add to its image as a pest ... (See Debt-collection robo-calls)

Jeremy M. Simon: Rent-to-own home payments unlikely to aid credit score -- A wife looking to improve her and her husband's credit scores shouldn't rely only on the rent-to-own payments for her new house ... (See Rent-to-own and credit)

Sally Herigstad: Jobless adult children rack up debt on mom's cards -- Three grown sisters have defaulted on $40,000 they racked up on their mother's plastic and wonder what they can do to fix the situation ... (See Charging on mom's plastic)

How your girlfriends can ruin your credit -- According to the Beatles, “a little help from your friends” is a good thing, but maybe not so much if they encourage you to spend yourself into debt ... (See Friends and your credit)

Credit card interest rates unchanged for 2nd straight week -- Credit card interest rates remained unchanged this week as banks returned, after a period of tumultuous change, to their seasonal slow period ... (See Rate report, Feb. 16, 2011)

QA with bankruptcy lawyer Ted Connolly, author of 'Road Out of Debt' -- Just how bad should debt be before bankruptcy makes sense? What can you do to avoid it? We asked finance and bankruptcy attorney Theodore W. Connolly, author of "The Road Out of Debt: Bankruptcy and Other Solutions to Your Financial Problems." ... (See "Road Out Of Debt")

When you marry Mr. Debt, be prepared to pay -- Exchanging vows with a debt-laden spouse doesn't make his debts yours, but it puts your relationship on high alert from the get go ... (See Marrying into debt)

8 creative ways to stay debt-free -- After months or years of paying down your debt, keeping yourself away from temptation can become difficult. Experts offer creative solutions to stay on track. ... (See Stay debt-free)

Erica Sandberg: The truth about Social Security benefits and wage garnishment -- Social Security benefits, in most cases, can't be taken as part of a wage garnishment. But a reader wonders how can tell those funds apart from other types of monies ... (See Social Security)

Credit card interest rates remain near record highs -- Credit card interest rates on new card offers were unchanged this week, lingering near record highs. ... (See Rate report)

Jeremy M. Simon: How loan applications hurt your credit score -- When applying for a loan, be prepared for a small ding to your credit score as lenders check your creditworthiness ... (See Hard inquiry)

Todd Ossenfort: Ignoring debt lawsuit can lead to wage garnishment -- When a court summons appears about an unpaid debt, it is best not to ignore it. Creditors can get orders to garnish your wages and seize funds from your bank account ... (See Wage garnishment)

Chase move sends credit card interest rates higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers, already in near-record heights, continued their slow, steady climb this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Spouse won't stop spending? Get a 'financial divorce' -- If a spouse repeatedly overspends, do what you can to rein in the bad spending habits -- but also protect your credit by separating yourself financially ... (See Financial divorce)

Jeremy M. Simon: Business card debt may hurt credit, even after the company is sold -- A former business owner wonders whether his old company's unpaid debt could show up on his personal credit report ... (See Business credit cards)

Todd Ossenfort: Stop paying or file bankruptcy: Which path is less painful? -- A low-income senior citizen read advice that instead of filing for bankruptcy protection, he should just stop paying his credit card bills ... (See Bankruptcy protection)

Sally Herigstad: Put off marriage until after bankruptcy -- A reader wants to get married and then file for bankruptcy. Our expert warns her of starting off a marriage on such uneven financial footing ... (See Marriage and bankruptcy)

5 tools for rebuilding your post-recession credit -- A number of credit issuers are stepping up offers to consumers working to regain their financial footing, after months of keeping their coffers closed ... (See Rebuilding your credit)

Erica Sandberg: The pros and cons of debt management plans -- A reader says he regrets entering into a debt management plan because of its impact on his credit. Our expert says his old, free-spending ways, not the plan, caused the damage ... (See Debt management plan)

Credit card interest rates unchanged, stay near record highs -- Credit card interest rates remained unchanged this week as banks took a break from adjusting new card offers. ... (See Rate report)

Jeremy M. Simon: Apartment security deposit dispute stains renter's credit report -- A renter learns that removing apartment damage fees from his credit report will require a solid case and good negotiating skills. ... (See Credit report damage)

Credit card balance transfers: How to find the best deals -- Those 0 percent credit card balance transfer offer dwindled during the recession. Now, they're making a comeback -- but you have to watch for the fees and fine print ... (See Find the best deals on credit card balance transfers)

Sally Herigstad: Laid off: Which bills HAVE to be paid? -- You saved for a rainy day and it's raining. After being laid off, a reader watches her emergency funds dwindle and wonders which bills she can stop paying ... (See Laid off, in debt)

QA: Liz Weston's new money commandments -- To help consumers navigate through this new financial climate, money expert Liz Weston talks about her new book, “The 10 Commandments of Money: Survive and Thrive in the New Economy.” ... (See Liz Weston)

Barclays, State Farm push credit card interest rates higher -- Credit card interest rates again crept nearer to record levels, spurred by rate increases by Barclays and State Farm Bank, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Interest rate report)

Erica Sandberg: How to handle unethical debt collectors -- Our expert tells a reader that he has some recourse against the debt collector that is using some questionable tactics in pursuit of his defaulted student loan ... (See Debt collectors)

Todd Ossenfort: Credit card use rights die with the account holder -- Family members want to keep using their dead mother's credit card -- even though the issuer has closed the account. There are legal -- and moral -- issues here ... (See Credit card use after cardholder's death)

You are not your credit score: Credit and self-esteem -- A low credit score can be a devastating blow to a person's self-esteem, but by changing your focus and taking small steps to distance yourself from your score, you can minimize the impact of those three digits on your psyche ... (See Credit and self-esteem)

Credit card interest rates unchanged, despite Chase and Barclays moves -- Credit card interest rates remained unchanged this week, despite tweaks to card offers from Barclays and Chase ... (See Rate report)

Personal bankruptcies rose 8 percent in 2010 -- Housing bubble states led the pack in bankruptcies, with California and Florida having the most people file. Hawaii had the largest percentage increase and Nevada the most per capita ... (See 2010 bankruptcies)

State bankruptcy rankings, 2010: Nevada holds its sad crown -- The recession and high debt levels are hurting people in every state, but bankruptcies are not at all evenly spread. Someone in Nevada is seven times more likely to file than an Alaskan ... (more)

Debt settlement industry in flux as new rules start -- For-profit companies can no longer charge clients upfront fees for debt negotiations, so the industry is undergoing a shakeout. What's that mean for consumers in debt? ... (See Debt settlement changing)

Sally Herigstad: Foreclosure's impact on married couples -- When a mortgage is in one spouse's name, if you choose to foreclosure, the impact to the other spouse's credit can depend on whether you live in a community property state ... (See Credit and foreclosure)

Barclays' moves send credit card interest rates higher -- Credit card interest rates rose slightly this week after Barclays raised interest rates on two of its cards. ... (See Credit card APRs)

Issuers may freeze, seize your bank account if you pay late on credit card -- Can you have your bank accounts frozen and money taken from them by an issuer if you don't pay your credit card bills on time? Depends on where you live ... (See Freeze, seize bank accounts)

Free credit scores become more available to borrowers -- On Jan. 1, 2011, federal law changed, broadening access to credit scores for consumers who have been turned down for a loan or get one at less-desirable terms ... (See More free credit scores)

Sally Herigstad: Best ways to spend a $25,000 windfall -- A reader inherited $25,000 and has myriad debts to pay, but can't figure out how to divvy up the money among all her creditors ... (See Windfalls and debts)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Credit card interest rates unchanged as turbulent year closes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as banks wrapped up a turbulent year in which interest rates reached record highs. ... (See credit card APRs)

Erica Sandberg: Her best money advice of 2010: Excesses of youth -- Letters from a pair of ethically challenged youths gave our 'Opening Credits' columnist her two favorite questions of 2010 ... (See Money advice questions)

How to change financial bad habits in 8 steps -- Making lasting changes requires time, discipline and a dive into the psyche to figure out why, exactly, you handle money the way you do ... (See Change financial bad habits)

Todd Ossenfort: Getting out of high-interest credit card debt -- A disabled wife's $14,000 high-interest card debt is crippling her husband's ability to continue to pay the minimum amount due ... (See High-rate card debt)

Sally Herigstad: Will bankruptcy filing hurt ex-spouse? -- A divorced woman is ready to file for bankruptcy in a community property state, but is worried that her ex-husband may be pursued for her unpaid debts ... (See Bankruptcy and divorce)

Gary Foreman: How to start using credit cards again after handling them badly before -- To get a good credit score and the best loans, you have to get back in there and start using credit again, even if it burned you the first time ... (See Re-establish credit)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report:Barclays, Cap One moves send credit card interest rates higher -- Credit card interest rates rose for the first time in six weeks after Barclays and Capital One adjusted card offers. ... (See Rate report)

Jeremy M. Simon: Running up credit card debt, declaring bankruptcy a bad idea -- A reader's plan to max out his credit cards before declaring bankruptcy has some serious problems, our expert says. ... (See Bankruptcy fraud)

Discover test credit card offers draw criticism -- The test offers Discover made skirt the edges of federal regulations requiring complete disclosure of terms, say consumer advocates ... (See Discover)

Novel views of credit card debt: Plots of books by Zevin, Walter revolve around debt -- If you have problems handling your finances, you might enjoy sharing your misery with fictitious characters who get into debt and the paths they take to try and get out ... (See Credit card novels)

Sally Herigstad: Avoid sharing credit with elderly parents -- A reader, whose elderly mom can't get credit in her own name, wonders if it's OK to add mom as an authorized user on her credit card ... (See Authorized user)

QA with personal finance author Farnoosh Torabi -- Is true wealth really only in your head? Can you banish debt and live prosperously just by changing your beliefs? Cue national personal finance authority Farnoosh Torabi ... (See Farnoosh Torabi)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Interest rates unchanged despite move from Chase -- A Chase interest rate tweak plus a Federal Reserve announcement still added up to zero movement in the average APR on new credit card offers this week. ... (See Rate report)

Stolen: True tales of identity theft -- Identity theft happens when you least expect it -- and often committed by the people you least suspect. Read how victims worked to restore their good names and credit. ... (See Identity theft)

Jeremy M. Simon: No quick fixes for removing late payment from credit report -- A loan applicant wants to know how he can delete a late payment from his credit report in an effort to boost his credit score. ... (See Late payment)

Sometimes bankruptcy is the ONLY way out -- If you've been out of work for a long time and sold everything you own to get by, paying your creditors and worrying about your credit rating takes a back seat ... (See Bankruptcy)

What if Santa charged Christmas? -- If he did charge Christmas, just how much would Santa spend -- and pay back with interest? And what interest rate, minimum payment or rewards might Santa expect to see on his credit card statement? ... (See Santa's credit card)

Careless-spending celebrities lose sympathy with American public -- High-spending celebrities take note: If you’re in debt because of your poor money choices, don’t look for much empathy from the rest of us. ... (See Celebrity spending)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Credit card interest rates drop on Capital One changes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers continue to head lower, thanks to changes from Capital One, but that doesn't mean borrowing has become a breeze. ... (See Rate report)

Unemployed? You can get an extra free credit report -- Federal law guarantees unemployed U.S. workers the right to an extra free credit report to assist in their job search. The problem? Nobody seems to be telling out-of-work consumers ... (See Unemployed credit report)

Todd Ossenfort: When does debt get too old to collect? -- Each state has a statute of limitations on credit card debt, which prevents collectors from taking you to court after a certain period of time ... (See Statute of limitations)

Sally Herigstad: You can run from debt, but you can't hide -- A woman who left an abusive relationship also left her debts behind. Our expert asks her to face the music as she can't hide forever ... (See Leaving debt behind)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Credit card interest rates unchanged after Thanksgiving holiday -- Banks, apparently still shaking off their tryptophan drowsiness, left interest rates on credit card offers unchanged this week ... (See Rate report)

9 hot credit card scams to watch out for -- Scammers love credit cards, and they have a host of ways to prey on yours. Here's what to watch for and how to avoid problems ... (See 9 credit card scams)

Procrastination is key to a credit card and financial disaster -- Putting off paying bills or failing to clean up your credit report can ruin your finances when all you need is a little attitude readjustment. Here's how ... (See Financial procrastination)

Jeremy M. Simon: Is a widow responsible for late husband's debt? It depends -- A widow living in Minnesota wonders whether her credit report should reflect her deceased husband's charged-off credit card account. ... (See Debt and death)

Todd Ossenfort: Disputing, removing joint-account holder causes headaches -- Whether you're an authorized user or a joint account holder, mistakes and confusion may reign when trying to sever a credit relationship ... (See Shared credit accounts)

Sally Herigstad: Retired, deep in debt. Is bankruptcy the answer? -- After years of borrowing, a retired couple is drowning in credit card debt. Is bankruptcy the only way out? ... (See Retired, in debt)

10 expenses to cut to help pay off credit card debt -- In hard times, take a hard look at what's coming in, what's going out and see where you can free up some cash quickly to start hacking away at your debt ... (See Cutting back)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Credit card APRs fall for second straight week -- Credit card interest rates continued to fall this week, pushed lower by a business credit card. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates fall from record highs -- Credit card interest rates finally fell from record highs this week, but it's far too early for borrowers to celebrate. ... (See APRs)

Erica Sandberg: Wondering who holds your delinquent debt now? Check your credit report -- A reader wants to know which company currently holds his delinquent debt. The answer, our expert says, can be found in his credit reports ... (See Delinquent debt)

Todd Ossenfort: When debt collection makes your life miserable -- A reader reduced a regular payment to her creditor by half and wants to know how much worse things are going to get ... (See Credit card debt collectors)

Sally Herigstad: Is a wife liable for her husband's student loans? -- A concerned wife is worried about her liability for her husband's student loan debt in the event that he passes away ... (See Student loan debt)

Credit card interest rates hit another record high -- If it seems like credit card interest rates are higher than they've been in a long while, you're not imagining things. This week, the national average APR on new credit cards hit another record high, according to CreditCards.com's database of card offer information. ... (See APRs)

Jeremy M. Simon: 20-year-old debt should not come back to haunt you -- While credit histories typically benefit from repaying debts, in the case of 20 year old credit card account, it may be better to ignore a creditor's request for payment ... (See Old debt)

Walmart rate hike sends credit card APRs to record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers leaped to record highs this week, following a rate hike on Walmart's Discover card ... (See Weekly rate report)

Erica Sandberg: Think twice before sharing credit card accounts with kids -- Moms and dads, beware of making your adult kid an authorized user or joint account holder on your credit card. It's noble to want to help, but their mistakes can clobber your credit. ... (See Authorized user)

Jeremy M. Simon: Patient's age determines whether unpaid medical debt owed -- A reader's dad was supposed to pay her medical bills, but then he fell on hard times. Now collectors are coming after her. Our expert says the right course of action for her depends on what her age was when she accrued the debt ... (See Medical debt)

Todd Ossenfort: Divorce doesn't dissolve joint card debt -- If you don't close joint card accounts after a divorce, then you're still responsible for paying any balances -- no matter who used the card ... (See Credit card debt, divorce)

Sally Herigstad: When nonpayment lands you in court -- A woman is being sued by her credit card company for nonpayment, and she wonders if it makes any difference if she shows up for a court date or not ... (See When card issuers sue)

Credit card APRs surge on First Premier card change -- Credit card interest rates neared record levels, after First Premier began charging the higher of two APRs to all of its new Centennial Classic cardholders. ... (See Weekly rate report)

QA with Susan L. Hirshman, author of 'Does This Make My Assets Look Fat?' -- In her book 'Does This Make My Assets Look Fat?,' Susan L. Hirshman simplifies often-complicated material into girl-talk terms that any failed dieter can digest ... (See 'Fat Assets' author Q&A)

5 scary credit card situations -- and how to deal with them -- Even if you're too old for the usual Halloween thrills and chills this year, there's still potential for plenty of spookiness ... lurking right inside your wallet ... (See Credit scares)

Jeremy M. Simon: Correcting credit report errors is crucial, but not always easy -- A reader vents about his struggles to get some errors fixed on his credit report. While fixing these mistakes can be burdensome, doing so will pay dividends in the long run ... (See Fix credit report mistakes)

Sally Herigstad: Disabled and in debt: What to do? -- A reader who is temporarily disabled and unable to work wonders how in the world she can pay on her large debts. Our expert offers some advice ... (See Disabled and in debt)

Little known credit card hardship programs offer help for problem debt -- Card issuers don't publicize them, but most have internal hardship programs for customers who have trouble paying their debts ... (See Credit card hardship programs)

Credit card interest rates rise on Chase, Cap One changes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers inched up this week, following after rate hikes from Capital One and Chase. ... (See Rate report)

Hoarders: Buried in debt -- For hoarders, the compulsion to collect, store and acquire things takes over the ability to keep track of finances. ... (See Hoarders and debt)

Erica Sandberg: The dark side of credit piggybacking -- A mom who has fallen on hard times laments that her struggles are hurting her son's credit, since he's an authorized user on her card. Our expert tells her how to clean up the mess ... (See Piggybacking)

Fed moves to close credit card application fee loophole -- Some card issuers had ducked a cap on fees on new accounts by charging a fee before the account was open. Not so fast, says the Fed ... (more)

Nevada's residents remain most likely to file for bankruptcy -- Nevadans, hard hit by the recession, hold the dubious distinction of being most likely to file for bankruptcy, court records show ... (See Bankruptcy)

Todd Ossenfort: Inherent risks exist when co-signing a car loan -- A reader wonders whether she should co-sign on a car loan for a student who needs a car to commute to college ... (See Co-signing risks)

How to prepare financially for time in prison -- Experts say few people serving time take steps to safeguard their finances while behind bars. Doing so helps them avoid piling on more debt from interest, fines and fees ... (See Money and prison)

Going to jail? 10 tips for reducing the financial damage -- Credit counselors, attorneys and ex-convicts offer 10 pieces of advice on safeguarding your finances if you're going to jail ... (more)

Sending money to jail, managing it while in prison pose challenges -- Need to send money to someone in jail or prison? Restrictions abound, rules vary and jails are their own mini-economies ... (more)

Gary Foreman: How to deal with debt after a divorce when ex won't pay -- Even if there's a court order, getting money out of a deadbeat ex isn't easy ... (See Divorce and debt)

Over your head in debt? 5 extreme budgeting ideas -- For many people struggling with unemployment or other financial calamity; however, just cutting back on expenses is not enough. Here are 5 extreme ways to save money. ... (See Extreme budgeting)

Credit card interest rates flat despite Chase changes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged this week, despite several APR changes from Chase. ... (See Chase)

Credit card issuers required to 'cure' penalty rates -- Missed a couple of credit card bills and get socked with a penalty APR? New rules give you an opportunity to get your old rate back ... (See Penalty rate cure)

Sally Herigstad: There's no easy way to make debt disappear -- A couple facing wage garnishment wants to know where to turn to get rid of debt. Our expert warns against believing those debt elimination scams. ... (See Debt elimination)

Credit card interest rates see 2nd straight increase -- For the second straight week, it got more expensive to get a new credit card, though only slightly ... (See Rate report)

Act fast when hit by credit card fraud, even if mom and dad were to blame -- A student had her credit ruined several years ago when her parents stole her identity and ran up debts. Now the collectors are coming after her. Our expert helps steer her toward clearing her name and credit. ... (See Parental ID theft)

NFCC Awards: Carole and Don Carroll: Debt-free after 30 years -- Everyday was a complicated dance balancing $88,000 on more than a dozen credit cards. Today, they are debt free and winners of a major award for their efforts ... (See Biggest losers (of debt))

Jeremy M. Simon: When a parent's 'favor' can ruin your credit -- A reader is an authorized user on his dad's small business card. However, his credit is taking a hit as dad's business has fallen on hard times. Our expert says the reader should remove himself from that account ASAP. ... (See Authorized user)

All in the family: Parents stealing kids' identities -- It's a crime that can go undetected for years and appears to be happened more often. How do you detect, fix identity theft by a parent? ... (See Parental identity theft)

Todd Ossenfort: Student loans in default: What are your options? -- A reader has amassed huge student loans, but dropped out of college and is making only $200 a week. She wonders what her options are. ... (See Student loan default)

Sally Herigstad: Options available for buying a home with bad credit -- Just because you're credit's not great doesn't mean that you won't be able to buy a home. It's just a little harder and a little more costly ... (See Bad credit and buying a home)

How to haggle to reduce your credit card debt and rates -- You've heard the ads promising quick and easy debt reduction, but there's nothing easy or quick about them ... (See Negotiating lower debt, rates)

What happens to unpaid credit card debt if you move abroad? -- Unpaid credit card debts may be tougher to collect if you leave the country. But there are still reasons you should pay up. ... (See International credit card debt)

You went into debt for THAT?!? Good examples of bad charging -- There's a right way and a wrong way to use plastic. And then there's a really, really wrong way. Here are tales of extreme and hazardous uses of plastic ... (See Credit card abuse)

CreditCards.com weekly survey: Interest rates jump following Capital One APR hikes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers offers jumped this week, after Capital One increased rates on seven of its cards. ... (See Rate report)

15 questions that will help you find the right credit counselor -- Knowing what to ask will help you be prepared before, during and after your initial credit counseling session ... (See Credit counseling)

4 simple ways to cope with debt-related stress -- If you’re one of the millions of Americans in considerable debt, it isn’t just your pocketbook that could be affected, but your health, too. Here are four ways to help you cope ... (See Debt-related stress)

Gary Foreman: How to re-establish responsible credit card use after debt problems -- After cleaning up past debt mess, the first question to ask is whether you've learned your credit card lesson and can handle credit responsibly now ... (See Re-establishing credit)

The good, bad and the ugly of credit card offers -- Credit card offers are back from the dead, so if you've got a high credit score, you're in demand and are likely to have a mailbox stuffed full of offers. If you've got average or bad credit, however, the story's likely quite different. ... (See Credit card offers)

CreditCards.com weekly survey: Interest rates fall after Sony Card returns -- Credit card interest rates fall this week after the Sony Card made its return ... (See Rate report)

On a fixed income with debt collectors calling -- A reader's parents are being pursued by debt collectors wonders how they can pay when they have no assets and are living on fixed incomes ... (See Debt collection)

QA with Lynnette Khalfani-Cox -- Like the plumber with leaky faucets at home, money coach and personal finance author Khalfani-Cox had racked up more than $100,000 in debt. ... (See Lynnette Khalfani-Cox)

9 credit score myths do more harm than good -- In today’s economy, a good credit score is more valuable than ever, but not all advice is good advice. These nine credit score myths that can do more harm than good ... (See Credit score myths)

CreditCards.com weekly survey: Interest rates remain unchanged for second-straight week -- Credit card interest rates held steady this week at their lowest levels since mid-May ... (See Rate report)

Jeremy M. Simon: Cardholders must fight to correct credit report errors -- Consumers need to take advantage of consumer protection law by disputing credit reporting errors with both the bank and credit bureau. ... (See Credit report errors)

Credit card interest rates unchanged despite NFL card's return -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, following the return of the NFL Extra Points Rewards credit card. ... (See Rate report)

Capital One's moves send credit card interest rates falling -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Capital One introduced lower rates on several of its cards. ... (See Rate report)

You're eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but should you file? -- A reader who has fallen on hard times wonders if Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for her. Her lawyer says yes. Our expert says she's not so sure. ... (See Chapter 7 bankruptcy)

Todd Ossenfort: 7 ways to ensure a financially successful marriage -- Tying the knot? Know that finances are one of the top five reasons for divorce. Here's how to keep your money and marriage together ... (See Money and marriage)

Ex-offenders face big debt challenges after prison -- Most ex-offenders, once they are free, face overbearing debt obligations and job barriers, often forcing them to return to a life of crime ... (See Out of jail, in debt)

How to transform a good credit score to great -- Each day this week, our columnists will answer one of our readers' most frequently asked questions. Today, we focus on how to boost your credit score. ... (See Great credit scores)

Interest rates stay steady, but 59.9 percent APR reappears on First Premier card -- The national average interest rate on new credit card offers was unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, even as one issuer reintroduced an extremely high rate. ... (See Rate report)

Credit Card FAQ: Erica Sandberg: What sort of credit card debt help is best for you? -- Each day this week, our columnists will answer one of our readers' most frequently asked questions. Today, we focus on getting debt help. ... (See Debt help choices)

Divorce and debt: Advice on dividing up, paying off debt -- Divorce is stressful enough. When jointly held debt is involved, things get a lot more complicated. Check out the advice in these stories ... (See Divorce and debt)

Credit Card FAQ: Todd Ossenfort: How do you get debt collectors off your back? -- Each day this week, our columnists will answer one of our readers' most frequently asked questions. Our series begins with a focus on debt collectors ... (See Debt collectors)

How credit card debt delays retirement dreams -- The dream of retirement is being clouded -- and delayed -- as more workers approach the golden years saddled with credit card debt ... (See Card debt and retirement)

Credit CARD Act begins final phase -- Gift card protections, requirements for reasonable fees and mandatory account reviews when interest rates are hiked are among the new consumer protections in Phase III of the Credit CARD Act of 2009. ... (more)

Sally Herigstad: Best to clean up debt in your home country -- When moving to Canada, it's in your best interest to make sure all your debts are paid back home. Here's why ... (See Moving to Canada)

5 steps to prioritize debt payments when cash is tight -- Owe numerous creditors but don't have enough money to send each a complete payment right away? Prioritize. Here's how ... (See Debt repayment)

FTC proposes changes to credit reporting summary of rights documents -- When you get a copy of your credit report, it comes with a document that lists your rights. Now, the Federal Trade Commission is working to make those disclosures much easier to read. ... (See Disclosure)

Wells Fargo interest rate increase sends credit card APRs higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose slightly this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Wells Fargo increased the rate on a card ... (See Rate report)

Duplicate of Wells Fargo move boosts credit card interest rates -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose slightly this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Wells Fargo increased the rate on a card ... (more)

4 steps to settling privately funded student loans -- A reader has defaulted on private education loans and wonders what his options are. Our expert offers some key steps he can take to ease his burden ... (See Student loans)

Help for bad credit -- Got bad credit? Sometimes it can't be avoided. Sometimes it can. Either way, if your credit score's in the dumps, that doesn't mean you don't have options ... (See Help for bad credit)

Help for bad credit: Buying a car -- If your credit score stinks, don't just throw in the towel and buy a bus pass. Learn more about how to buy a car with bad credit with these stories.. ... (See Help for bad credit: Buying a car)

Help for bad credit: Buying or renting a home -- Bad credit history? Don't move into your mom's basement just yet! The economy is forcing landlords and homeowners to be more flexible. ... (See Help for bad credit: Buying or renting a home)

Help for bad credit: Dealing emotionally -- If a bad credit score keeps you up at night, wrecks your relationships or burns your confidence, you need to take steps to face, accept and change those three unsightly digits -- without losing your cool. ... (See Help for bad credit: Dealing emotionally)

Help for bad credit: Getting a cell phone -- Many cell phone plans exist that don't require a contract, big deposit or credit check, and many of those plans -- including pay-as-you-go plans -- may even save you money. ... (See Help for bad credit: Getting a cell phone)

Help for bad credit: Getting a credit card -- You need a credit card to improve your credit score, but you need a good credit score to open a credit card account. If you're stuck in this frustrating cycle, don’t give up ... (See Help for bad credit: Getting a credit card)

Help for bad credit: Improving your credit score -- Paying your bills in full and on time isn't the only way to improve your credit score. Find out some creative ways to help give your score a lift ... (See Help for bad credit: Improving your credit score)

Help for bad credit: Jobs -- It's important to know the costs of negative marks on your credit history and how you should handle a potential employer who requests to see your credit report. ... (See Help for bad credit: Jobs)

Help for bad credit: Relationships, marriage and divorce -- Just as bad credit can fragment your relationships, some relationships -- especially those in which joint accounts or co-signed loans are involved -- can rip apart your credit score. ... (See Help for bad credit: Relationships, marriage and divorce)

Help for bad credit: Young adults -- Young people make lots of mistakes. Unfortunately, credit mistakes don't fade into obscurity after college graduation in the way that embarrassing party stories do ... (See Help for bad credit: Young adults)

Credit card lending standards loosen for 1st time in 3 years -- It got easier to get a credit card in the second quarter of 2010, according to data released by the Federal Reserve on Monday ... (See Survey)

Divorce and credit card debt don't mix -- While a decree can assign payment responsibility for joint credit card debt, if your ex doesn't pay as agreed, your credit is at risk ... (See Card debt and divorce)

Want that credit card? Here are 10 things NOT to do when you apply -- When applying for a credit card, especially if you've had money problems, do one of these 10 things, and wham! You've just hurt your chances of getting approved ... (See Applying for credit)

Bad credit can hinder job search, but doesn't always -- A reader is concerned that her poor credit -- which went south during her current bout of unemployment -- is wrecking her chances of getting her next job. ... (See Credit score)

Capital One APR decrease sends credit card interest rates to 3rd drop in 4 weeks -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell for the third time in four weeks, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Capital One lowered the rate on a card product. ... (See Rates)

8 reasons to ignore your credit score and rating -- You know how important having and maintaining a great credit score is, but there are times when concentrating on something else makes more sense ... (See Ignore your credit score)

80 percent of spouses lie about spending -- Secret spenders have hidden credit cards, bank accounts and debts ... (See Secrets)

Sally Herigstad: Do you marry someone who's deep in debt? -- A woman wonders if she'll ruin her credit by marrying a man who has $150,000 in debt. Our expert says no, but be careful to keep romance and finances separate. ... (See Debt and marriage)

Interest rates fall after Walmart card makes online return -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fall after G.E. Money brings back its Walmart Discover card. ... (See Rates)

Don't fall for the 'Obama government debt bailout program' scam -- Rip-off alert: There's no government program to relieve you of credit card debt, despite the hordes of Internet scammers who say there is ... (See Debt bailout)

Todd Ossenfort: Can a credit mistake caused by co-signing keep me from renting a home -- A reader co-signed a loan, which was defaulted upon. Now she needs to rent a home. Are her options as bleak as she thinks? ... (See Bad credit and renting)

Sally Herigstad: Don't pay a collector's dubious old debt without proof -- If a collector calls wanting payment on a very old debt that you don't remember, odds are that you are being scammed ... (See Dubious debt)

Nevada still king, Georgia jumps Tennessee in bankruptcies per capita -- Nevada is still king, and Georgia jumps Tennessee in bankruptcies per capita. Indiana, Colorado and Utah all jump up in the rankings, while Tennessee and Michigan see small decreases. ... (See Bankruptcy)

FTC bans upfront fees for debt settlement firms -- Those who owe on credit cards, other loans were often soaked, federal agency says in banning upfront fees for debt settlement ... (more)

Interest rates rise after Chase adjusts card offer -- Credit card interest rates increased following Chase's adjustment of a card offer. ... (See Rate report)

3 steps to take after destroying mom or dad's credit -- A son who did major damage to his father's credit wants to make things right. Our expert gives advice on how to get his credit -- and his relationship with his dad -- back on track. ... (See Repairing credit)

Bank of America stops disclosing default APRs -- Despite regulations aimed at making credit card agreements more consumer friendly, new cardholders carrying plastic from the No. 2 U.S. bank won't know the exact cost of making a borrowing mistake until it's too late. ... (See Penalty rates)

Pros and cons of paying off old debt -- Yes, paying it off will look good to lenders, but you may not want to restart the clock on debt that has passed the statute of limitations ... (See Paying off old debt)

Consumer financial protections at least a year away -- Long ramp up time for new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau means consumers will have to wait for credit card protections ... (more)

10 wordiest credit card agreements -- Of all the credit card contracts posted online in a new Federal Reserve database, these droned on the longest, according to a CreditCarsds.com analysis ... (more)

10 most unreadable credit card contracts -- Of all the credit card contracts posted online in a new Federal Reserve database, these were the 10 most unreadable, according to a CreditCards.com analysis ... (See Unreadable card contracts)

10 most readable credit card agreements -- Of all the credit card contracts posted online in a new Federal Reserve database, these were the 10 most readable, according to a CreditCards.com analysis ... (more)

Credit card Interest rates fall for first time since May -- Credit card interest rates fell last week for the first time in more than two months, according to CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

How to buy a house if you have bad credit -- Though a low credit score will decrease your homebuying options, it may not kill them entirely. Here's how to improve your chances of getting a loan. ... (See Bad credit? How to buy a house)

Authorized user can't be legally responsible for tax payment -- Though it may be a noble idea, an authorized cardholder who got into debt trouble can't take on the tax burden for the friend whose credit he damaged. ... (See 1099-C)

Debt in collections: Do you settle or pay in full? -- Once your debt goes into collections, you can choose to pay the full amount or negotiate a lower amount. Which choice looks better on your credit report? ... (See Debt collection)

FTC: Fix 'broken' debt collection system -- The federal agency says the common ways consumers confront debt collection -- arbitration and litigation -- just don't work ... (See FTC: Debt collection 'broken')

Credit card interest rates hold steady for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged for the second straight week, as banks left their card products alone. ... (See Rate report)

How to get a credit card if you have bad credit -- A tough economy has left many with bruised credit and lenders reluctant to issue loans. But you can still get a decent card. Here's how ... (See Bad credit credit cards)

Losing your job doesn't mean you have to file for bankruptcy -- A reader just lost her job and has $60,000 in credit card and student loan debt. She's considering going bankrupt, but our expert says that's not going to solve her problems ... (See Lost job and bankruptcy)

QA with 'Hot (Broke) Messes' author Nancy Trejos -- Author and Washington Post personal finance columnist Nancy Trejos shares how deep she was in debt and how she managed to climb out ... (See 'Hot (Broke) Messes')

Credit card interest rates end five-week run of increases -- The streak is over. Last week, for the first time in more than the month, the national average interest rate on a new credit card offer did not increase, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Consumers paying more credit card bills on time -- Not since 2002 have Americans been so good about paying their credit card bills on time, according to recent loan delinquency numbers from the ABA. ... (See Credit card delinquencies)

How to get a cell phone if you have bad credit -- Even if you have bad credit, you don't have to pay more for cell phone service if you know all of your options. ... (See Cell phones and bad credit)

Financial reform opens access to free credit scores -- Financial reform rules now require lenders that turn you down or give you a higher rate to provide you access to a free credit score ... (See Free credit scores)

Financial role reversal: Adult children increasingly co-sign for parents' loans -- In a case of financial role reversal, more parents are turning to their children for loans due to the parents' rising debts, falling retirement funds ... (See Co-signing for parents)

Interest rates advance for fifth consecutive week -- Credit card APRs increased for the fifth straight week, the longest increase in nearly three years. ... (more)

Is bankruptcy right for you? Our 7-point checklist will tell you -- A reader is fed up and is considering bankruptcy, but she doesn't know if it's wise for her. Our expert offers a 7-point checklist to help her make the right choice. ... (See Bankruptcy checklist)

QA: Avis Cardella writes on overcoming shopping addiction -- 'Memoirs of a Shopping Addict' author Avis Cardella describes how credit counseling helped her overcome 'Sex & the City' lifestyle ... (See Memoirs of a shopping addict)

Is bad credit bad for small business startups? -- Starting a business with bad credit won't be easy, but it's not impossible. Here are some ways to find funding without a top-notch credit score. ... (See Bad credit and startups)

Credit card interest rates rise for fourth straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers tiptoed higher this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, marking the fourth consecutive weekly increase. ... (See Rate report)

3 reasons not to co-sign for college students' credit cards -- The Credit CARD Act makes it harder for students under 21 to get credit cards. Thus, a 21-year-old student wants to charge his classmates to have him co-sign on a credit card. Our expert explains why this is a really bad idea ... (See Co-signing student)

Credit lessons from the soap operas: One Life to Live -- Part I: You only have 'One Life to Live,' so don't share money with an evil twin - you know, the one who's always spending your money ... (See Credit lessons from soap operas: 'One Life to Live')

Credit lessons from the soap operas: Days of Our Lives rerun -- Part IV: The Days of Our Lives shouldn't be filled with money troubles ... (See Credit lessons from the soap operas: Days of Our Lives rerun)

Credit lessons from the soap operas: General Hospital -- Part V: If you're financially honest with your mate, no need for a 'General Hospital' style paternity test; you'll always know who's the real parent of a debt ... (See Credit lessons from soap operas: 'General Hospital')

Ignoring delinquent debt can lead to wage garnishment -- The longer your debt goes unpaid, the more likely you'll be forced to pay through a court order to garnish your wages. ... (See Wage garnishment)

Dads can be better financial role models -- While many of us learn how to manage our finances from our parents, they're not always the best role models, according to a new survey. ... (See NFCC survey)

Capital One move pushes APRs higher for 3rd straight week -- Another week brought with it another interest rate move by Capital One, sending credit card APRs still higher. ... (See Cap One)

QA with 'Paying With Plastic' author David Evans -- In this book author Q&A, 'Paying With Plastic' author David Evans argues we're going through two payment revolutions: paper to plastic, then plastic to "virtual" payments ... (See 'Paying with Plastic' by David Evans)

5 simple steps to a faster debt payoff -- A reader's credit card statement showed him what it would cost to pay off his debts in three years. He wants to do it sooner. Our expert tells him how ... (See Debt payoff)

Does an authorized user's bad credit hurt the account's owner? -- Co-mingling credit with friends or family via co-signing or authorized users is best to be avoided at all costs. ... (See Authorized users and credit scores)

Get angry at your overdue debt, not your lender -- You've fallen behind on your payments and you're angry at the carmaker who's asking for the payment you agreed to make? Get real ... (See Get angry at debt)

Cap One's moves push credit card interest rates higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers surged higher this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, following card adjustments by Capital One. ... (See Rates)

Elderly father's Social Security income likely safe from garnishment -- A reader worries that her elderly father's Social Security income will be garnished to pay back a credit line from the bank. Our expert says she probably doesn't have to worry ... (See Social Security and garnishment)

Capital One's rate hikes send credit card interest rates higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, spurred by rate increases from Capital One. ... (See Rate report)

Even barely late payments can impact your credit score -- If you're late with a payment -- but fewer than 30 days late -- does your credit score take a hit? The answer's not so simple. ... (See Late payments and credit scores)

Don't fall prey to aggressive debt collection tactics -- Debt collectors know what buttons to push, so if you've never dealt with them before, you may agree to a repayment plan that you can't afford ... (See Debt collection tactics)

Fed: Credit companies admit profiling credit card users -- What you buy and where you buy it can sometimes be held against you by your credit card issuer, a Federal Reserve report to Congress Friday reveals ... (See Credit card profiling)

Credit card interest rates remain unchanged -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after banks largely refrained from adjusting their card offers. ... (See Rate report)

8 steps toward recovering from youthful money mistakes -- A reader wants to pay off her card debts before going back to school. Our expert lays out an eight-step plan to help her do just that ... (See Pay off debt)

GAO report shows non-English speakers have it rougher financially -- A federal report chronicles how limited English proficiency also limits people's ability to get by in the complex financial world ... (See Financial literacy and English)

Be careful not to start the clock on time-barred debt -- A reader whose debt has run past the statute of limitations in her state wonders if she should still pay what she can. ... (See Old debt)

What to expect when buying a car with bad credit -- The last sound you want to hear when you're rebuilding your credit is the clank of a dying car. What are your options? ... (See Bad credit car buying)

Credit card interest rates end record run of declines -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, ending a record string of declines. ... (See Rate report)

Without co-signer, minor's debt likely off-limits to collectors -- A reader could no longer make payments on a card he got when he was a minor and is now dealing with collections and even a possible wage garnishment. But given his age when he signed, is the debt his responsibility? ... (See Minors and credit)

The Credit CARD of 2009 turns 1: A year-long look at the landmark legislation -- What a difference a year makes. One year ago this week, President Obama signed historic legislation revamping how Americans acquire, use and pay for credit cards. Use this time line to view key developments affecting credit card users and their accounts. ... (See CARD Act)

Credit scoring, reporting Q and A with Experian, part 1 -- The first in a six-part series replaying a credit scoring and reporting question and answer session CreditCards.com held with Experian. ... (See Credit)

Credit scoring, reporting Q and A with Experian, part 2 -- The second in a six-part series replaying a credit scoring and reporting question and answer session CreditCards.com held with Experian. ... (See Credit reporting)

Credit scoring, reporting Q and A with Experian, part 3 -- The third in a six-part series replaying a credit scoring and reporting question and answer session CreditCards.com held with Experian. ... (See Credit reporting)

Credit scoring, reporting Q and A with Experian, part 4 -- The fourth in a six-part series replaying a credit scoring and reporting question and answer session CreditCards.com held with Experian. ... (See Credit reporting)

Credit scoring, reporting Q and A with Experian, part 5 -- The fifth in a six-part series replaying a credit scoring and reporting question and answer session CreditCards.com held with Experian. ... (See Credit reporting)

Credit scoring, reporting Q and A with Experian, part 6 -- The last in a six-part series replaying a credit scoring and reporting question and answer session CreditCards.com held with Experian. ... (See Credit reporting)

Congratulations, graduate! Now, do you have a post-graduation debt plan? -- Graduating from college this spring? You're probably taking more with you than your diplomas and a futon. The class of 2010 has debt, and a lot of it ... (See Graduate from student debt)

Credit card interest rates' slide continues -- Interest rates on new credit card offers declined for a record fifth straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Citi lowered rates on a card product. ... (See Interest rates)

Look to credit reports to understand loan denials -- A reader wondering why he was rejected for a credit card loan should turn to his credit report to understand why the lender made the move ... (See Credit reports)

How to rent a home if you have bad credit: In recession, landlords become flexible -- Your landlord might not care about your bad credit as much as you think. With the recession and high vacancy rates, these steps can help you persuade the manager to overlook your score and let you rent ... (See Renting with bad credit)

Credit card interest rates fall for record 4th straight week -- Card rates continue to be volatile, with cards entering and exiting the market as the industry -- faced with the recession and new regulations -- rapidly changes ... (See Rate report)

5 steps to tackling debt while unemployed -- An unemployed reader is deep in debt and desperate. Our expert offers five tips for getting herself back on track ... (See Paying off debt)

Credit card lending standards keep tightening, Fed report says -- It became tougher to get a credit card in early 2010, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve, even as banks were more willing to offer other types of loans. ... (See Lending)

Comparing desperate options: bankruptcy vs. debt negotiation -- With savings spent, deep in debt and jobless, a reader's choices are all unpleasant. Go in with eyes open ... (See Desperate money choices)

Bankruptcy protects against wage garnishment -- A reader who filed bankruptcy is contacted by an old creditor who threatens wage garnishment. Does she have to pay the debt or not? ... (See Wage garnishment)

Target's moves send credit card interest rates to 3rd straight decline -- Credit card interest rates fell again, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, spurred by Target's recent move to eliminate its Visa credit card. ... (See Rate report)

States stepping up to limit pre-employment credit checks -- If you're unemployed and suffering from bad credit, a growing number of states' lawmakers want to remove one barrier between you and a new job: a credit check ... (See Credit checks)

Authorized users aren't liable for card debt -- Collectors trying to collect outstanding card debt from an authorized user are barking up the wrong tree. Here's what to do. ... (See Authorized user)

There's no easy fix when you're maxed out on credit -- If you're young and already maxed out on credit, it's time to buckle down, pay it off and clear the path for a less stressful future ... (See Maxed out credit cards)

Citi's moves send interest rates down for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell for the second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, amid signs the consumer lending environment may be improving. ... (See Rate report)

Which of the 4 types of debt-help companies is right for you? -- Deep in debt but not ready for bankruptcy? Consider these types of companies, but beware: credit help comes in many forms, and not all of them are good for you ... (See Debt help)

How to get a job when you have bad credit -- A blemished credit report can hurt your job chances. Learn which financial mistakes are most costly. ... (See Bad credit)

Interest rates fall as issuers modify credit card offers -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after issuers tweaked the rates on several card products. ... (See Rate report)

Minors likely bear moral -- not legal -- responsibility for fraudulent debts -- Legally, minors likely bear no responsibility to repay credit card debts -- even if built up fraudulently. Morally? That's an entirely different matter. ... (See Minors and credit)

Bankruptcies resume climbing, aided by tax refunds -- Bankruptcy filings rose 17 percent over a year ago; once-available cushions of credit and home equity have vanished ... (See Bankruptcies rising)

Credit score suffers from being caught in 'balance chasing' loop -- "Balance chasing" by banks can leave borrowers with lower credit limits and credit scores ... (See Credit score)

New rules could provide millions with free credit scores -- Rules announced by the Federal Reserve and FTC mean that, starting in 2011, millions of U.S. borrowers could get free copies of their credit scores. ... (See Credit scores)

Interest rates rise as credit card issuers tweak offers -- The industry continues to writhe and adjust as card issuers learn to cope with the Great Recession and new regulation ... (See Rate report)

Collectors can try, but can't legally collect a minor's debts -- Handle with care demands for payment on old, forgotten amounts, and don't pay what you don't owe out of fear or ignorance ... (See Old debt)

Meet those who seek a perfect credit score -- and learn how they achieved FICO perfection -- We introduce you to credit score superstars -- and learn why and how they keep those precious three digits so high ... (See Credit score)

How a widow should handle collection calls on late husband's 'debt' -- More than four years after her husband died, a widow begins receiving collection calls on debt that may be the result of identity theft ... (See Collection calls)

Avoiding new rules, 'free' credit report sites switch to offering 'free' scores -- On the eve of new rules sharply restricting offers of 'free' credit reports, companies switch to offering 'free' credit scores ... (See Free credit report)

Bad credit card issuer's moves send interest rates lower -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after subprime issuer Credit One tweaked some of its card offers ... (See Rate report)

High balance on just one card can hurt credit score -- Check your credit score and keep all your cards' balances low or you could upset your attempt to refinance a home ... (See Balance hurts refi odds)

Beware of phone calls offering credit card relief -- New telephone scams are targeting consumers with promises of lowering credit card interest rates, fixing damaged credit reports. ... (See Beware)

What types of income are protected from wage garnishment? -- Typically, retirement and disability income are exempt from being tapped for the repayment of unpaid debt. ... (See Protected.)

QA with Manisha Thakor, author of personal finance book 'Get Financially Naked' -- 'Get Financially Naked' with your honey -- or face big money woes, book author says. ... (See Naked)

Capital One's business card moves send interest rates higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, spurred by changes in Capital One's business card offerings. ... (See Rate report)

Want to boost your credit? Co-signing with parent still an option -- Young people looking for a credit boost can still co-sign with their parents, even with the passage of the Credit CARD Act. In fact, if the young adult doesn't have his own source of income, it might be his only choice. ... (See Credit)

Canceling a card can hurt your credit score -- Forced to choose between paying a new fee on your credit card or closing the account? Consider the impact on your credit score. ... (See Canceling a card)

What to ask before getting a lawsuit settlement loan -- You may have seen the ads on TV -- "Cash for injury and employment cases!" These lawsuit loans should be a choice of last resort. But if you're considering one, asking yourself these key questions first can help keep your costs down. ... (See Cash)

Credit card agreement from your issuer -- Federal law now requires credit card issuers to post their agreements; find yours from this list. ... (See Agreements)

Paying bills by money order gets expensive -- Fear of being turned down by a bank for a checking account can be unfounded. There are ways to find out if you're eligible to have an account. ... (See Bills)

Credit card interest rates fall after Wells Fargo cuts APRs -- In what it called a "competitive pricing" move, Wells Fargo drove down the average rates on new credit cards this week by lowering the rates on four of its credit cards. ... (See Rate report)

Putting off dealing with debt problems will only make them worse -- Our expert tells a struggling college student to stop avoiding her debt problems or they will only get much worse. ... (See Debt)

Conservatorships: Stepping in for those who can't help themselves -- Watching a family member lose his grip on his finances can be maddening. However, in some cases you can take control by going to court to set up a conservatorship, a legal relationship that makes you the custodian of another adult's finances. ... (See Conservatorship)

Piggybacking's just one step en route to a better credit score -- Borrowers who want to boost their credit scores need to examine their own credit reports first before becoming authorized cardholders on other accounts. ... (See Piggyback)

Credit card interest rates jump, approach record highs -- Credit card interest rates reached their second-highest level on record after U.S. Bank raised rates on several of its cards. ... (See Rate report)

From credit card disaster to card master: 7 tips from the debt reformed -- Repaying big card balances is hard enough, but remaining debt-free is even more so. Learn how seven credit card 'disasters' turned into credit card masters. ... (See Reformed)

3 easy steps to simplify your financial life -- Sick of living in financial chaos? Get it all under control without outside help. Here are three steps to get you on your way. ... (See Chaos)

Forgiven debt resurfaces at tax time -- The IRS is one creditor you cannot ignore. If you receive a 1099-C in the mail for forgiven debt, you have to declare it as income. ... (See IRS)

Fed proposes rules to limit credit card fees -- Credit card fees would have to be 'reasonable' and 'proportional' to the offense under new rules proposed by the Federal Reserve. ... (See Fees)

Interest rates fall as 59.9% APR credit card goes away -- Interest rates pulled back from record levels this week, although cardholders may not have much reason to cheer. ... (See Rate report)

White House online town hall credit card reform transcript -- This transcript chronicles the conversation between administration officials and CreditCards.com readers on Feb. 22, 2010, the day a federal credit card reform law took effect. ... (more)

3 ways to rebuild your credit after wage garnishment -- Consistent, timely student loan payments made via wage garnishment don't reflect positively on a credit report. But there are a few steps you can take to improve your standing. ... (See Rebuild)

Sharing a roof with a parent doesn't mean sharing their bankruptcy -- Adult children who share an address with a parent don't also need to share the credit score damage when that parent files for bankruptcy. ... (See Bankruptcy)

CARD Act prevents sudden rate hikes, not annual fees -- As issuers struggle to recoup lost fee revenue, many are instituting annual fees on their credit cards. The good news is that your APR is protected. ... (See Fees)

Consumers gain right to dispute credit report errors directly with merchants -- As of the summer of 2010, if a merchant puts inaccurate information on your credit report, you can force them to investigate the problem. But you have to do it right ... (See Fix credit report errors)

Consumer credit complaints see huge jump, FTC says -- Identity theft again topped the list of consumer complaints made to the Federal Trade Commission in 2009, but the number of Americans ticked off about their credit showed the sharpest increase. ... (See FTC)

Interest rates surge higher as credit card reform arrives -- Banks jacked interest rates to record levels this week, getting in their final licks against consumers ahead of the new credit card regulations. ... (See Rate report)

How to clear a minor of responsibility for card debt in 5 steps -- A worried grandparent wants to know how she can make sure that her grandson isn't held liable for debt on a credit card that his mother got in his name. ... (See Fraud)

Video: White House town hall on credit card reform -- Austan Goolsbee of the President's Council of Economic Advisers answered questions on Feb. 22 about credit card reform and what it means to you. The questions were both submitted live and in advance through CreditCards.com. ... (See Town hall)

How social networking can help credit card debtors -- While social networking groups are virtual, the results from participating in online debt relief support groups are real. ... (See Relief)

You can be sued for nonpayment of credit card debt -- The road of not paying your credit card accounts is not a pretty one. Expect late fees, higher APRs and, eventually, collections. ... (See Debt)

New credit card era begins with latest CARD Act provisions -- It's a new day for credit cards. As of Feb. 22, new consumer protections within the Credit CARD Act of 2009 take effect. ... (See Era)

Video: New card law changes relationship between colleges, issuers -- The Credit CARD Act changes the once-secret agreements between card issuers and colleges by requiring schools to report any deals they make with card companies to the Federal Reserve Board. ... (See Campus)

Cost of bad-credit credit cards rising due to reform law -- The passage of federal credit card reform means big changes for those with bad credit. Subprime credit will be available, but expensive and harder to find. ... (See Subprime)

Tips for rebuilding your credit after divorce -- A disabled domestic violence survivor and divorcee not only needs to rebuild her life, but also her credit. ... (See Rebuild)

Interest rates edge lower just ahead of CARD Act implementation -- With the Credit CARD Act's implementation just days away, experts say competition for prime borrowers may help keep rates steady. ... (See Rate report)

Want to avoid a rate hike? Don't carry a balance -- The best way to deal with a looming credit card interest rate hike is to not carry a balance on your credit card. ... (See APR)

Video: Big changes coming to bad-credit credit cards -- The new credit card law -- much of which takes effect on Feb. 22 -- has provisions that protect people with bad credit. Specifically, the law limits fees on subprime credit cards. What other changes will the law bring for those with poor credit? ... (See Bad credit)

White House to answer consumer questions about Credit CARD Act -- The White House will answer Americans' questions about the new credit card reform law during a live online town hall at 2 p.m. EST Feb. 22. ... (more)

1 in 10 Americans has given up or had taken away credit cards in past 8 months -- A CreditCards.com poll shows that consumers' newfound frugality and card issuers' punitive actions have caused a mass migration away from credit cards. ... (See Give up)

Video: 5 smart moves to make before Feb. 22 -- Sweeping new credit card laws arrive on Feb. 22, 2010. But before that day, you might want to make one of these smart credit moves. ... (See Moves)

When even the minimum payment on your credit card is too much -- When making your credit card's minimum payment becomes impossible, you have options. One of those options does NOT include paying less than the minimum. ... (See Too much)

5 dumbest money moves that love makes you do -- They can seem oh-so-right at the time, but these five financial blunders linger long after your other is no longer significant. ... (See Oops)

Major subprime marketer, CompuCredit, leaves credit card marketing business -- Subprime lender CompuCredit says it no longer markets its 'fee-harvesting' cards, which drew criticism from consumers, fines from regulators and soon will be outlawed. ... (See Fees)

Interest rates mostly steady as credit card reform nears -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were little changed this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as the countdown continued toward implementation of major credit card industry reforms. ... (See Rate report)

Young adults slow to spot ID theft, survey shows -- The latest identity theft poll from Javelin Strategy & Research shows that despite their Web savvy, so-called millenials -- young adults between 18 and 24 -- take longer than other age groups to identity and resolves instances of ID fraud. ... (See Fraud)

3 common credit mistakes -- and how to fix them -- One credit mistake can easily lead to another and to another, as one reader found out the hard way. Her mistakes were common -- and easily avoidable. ... (See Mistakes)

Poll: On eve of credit card reform, few understand what new law holds -- Significant numbers of consumers are unaware of the most important elements of the new package of credit card rules. Worse, many have erroneous assumptions about what the new rules do address. ... (more)

7 ways to protect against being a victim of credit card revenge -- Just suffered a break-up from a revenge-seeking ex? Here's how to make sure your credit is safe. ... (See Revenge)

Credit card revenge spending: When love goes wrong, the hurt go shopping -- Getting burned by the one you love can inspire the desire to get back by charging up credit accounts. The ultimate cost, however, may be borne by you. ... (See Burned)

Consider these options before co-signing for a card -- Considering co-signing for your son or daughter's credit card? Know that if you do, you'll bear as much legal responsibility for paying that debt off as he or she will. ... (See Co-signing)

Negotiating down card debt and your credit score -- You can ask a card company not to report your debt settlement to the credit bureaus, but there's no guarantee that it will comply. ... (See Score)

Credit card interest rates soar; bad-credit borrowers hit hardest -- If you've got bad credit, brace yourself: The average interest rate for a new subprime credit card just shot sky high ... (See Rate Report)

Are you liable for late spouse's card debt? -- A widow being pursued by debt collectors wants to know if she is legally responsible for her late husband's credit card debts. The answer's not so simple. ... (See Liable)

Piggybacking is still an option, but proceed with caution -- If you're looking to help boost a FICO score, piggybacking as an authorized user on a spouse's credit card account remains an option. But if you're looking to pay to do it, you might be out of luck. ... (See Piggybacking)

Is reaffirming credit card debt during bankruptcy wise? -- When filing for bankruptcy, a reader want to reaffirm credit card debt, with the hope of still being able to use the card. Chances are slim the card will still be usable. ... (See Reaffirm)

6 common money mistakes women make -- After more than two years writing for CreditCards.com, "To Her Credit" columnist Sally Herigstad recaps the most frequent financial errors women make ... (See Mistakes)

Survey: Debt collection calls growing more frequent, aggressive -- A new survey reveals that debt collection calls have become more aggressive, and collectors are abusing laws that protect debtors. ... (See Collectors)

Affluent are more often victims of ID theft, report shows -- Wealthy consumers who enjoy leisure activities such as tennis, skiing and international vacations are top targets for identity thieves, according to a new report. ... (See Theft)

Credit card penalty rates can top 30 percent; how to avoid them -- Think it costs a lot to use your credit card now? Make a late payment and your interest rate could jump to more than 30 percent. ... (See Rates)

Get help ASAP when debt leads to suicidal thoughts -- Debt, no matter how high, is never a reason to end one's life. If credit card debt has spawned thoughts of suicide, get help from friends, family or professionals. ... (See Help)

Your options when paying the minimum isn't possible -- When living from paycheck to paycheck, any disruption in income can have immediate effects on your financial situation, including not being able to pay the minimum on your cards. ... (See Help)

Looking to disappear? Deleting your credit history is far from easy -- Erasing your existing credit report is nearly impossible, although you can try to delete parts of your borrowing history. ... (See Erase)

Credit card reform arrives in the form of the Credit CARD Act -- The most sweeping credit card changes ever are being imposed on credit card issuers, which in the course of complying, are making dramatic changes in consumers' credit card accounts -- not all of them welcome ... (See Credit card reform law goes in effect)

Credit CARD Act of 2009 article archives -- All the CreditCards.com coverage of the credit card reform law ... (more)

5 tactics of bad debt collectors -- and what you can do about them -- The recession has put debt collectors under added pressure, too. Some are reacting by cutting legal corners. ... (See 5 collection tactics)

After medical bills lead to wage garnishment, consider bankruptcy -- When a wage garnishment cuts your living expenses substantially, prioritize what's left, buy time and consider bankruptcy. ... (See Wage)

Resist racking up debt to get back at cheating spouse -- You think hitting where it hurts -- his wallet -- will satisfy your hurt? Don't go there as you may end up paying dearly for your revenge. ... (See Revenge)

Bulk up your thin credit in 4 easy steps -- When getting started with credit, the key is to start small, then build up gradually over time. These four easy steps can get you on your way. ... (See Thin credit)

Fed issues final Credit CARD Act rules -- The Federal Reserve issued final rules implementing the second phase of the credit card reform law. They are the most significant changes in credit card laws in decades. ... (more)

New arrivals to U.S. need to rebuild credit history -- Credit history from a foreign country won't follow you to the United States, although existing financial relationships can help you begin to build a U.S. credit history. ... (See Rebuild)

Debtor determined to become debt-free in 2010 -- A reader wants to start the new year with a sound financial plan to rid himself of debt and clean up his credit report. To do that will require commitment and a plan. ... (See 2010)

Daughter's card abuse hurts mom as authorized user -- A mom wants to be removed as an authorized user from her daughter's delinquent credit card account. Luckily, it's not that hard. ... (See Help)

Tales from the credit crypt: Credit counselors' crazy debt client stories -- Think you can astonish a credit counselor with your $20,000 credit card debt? Not a chance. Here are some stories from the trenches. ... (See Debt tales)

Bankruptcies soared 32% in 2009 -- A 'perfect storm' of unemployment and plunging house values sends filings up to highest level since a 2005 reform law went into effect. ... (See Bankruptcy)

Nevada surpasses Tennessee as highest per capita bankruptcy state -- The average resident of the Silver State was eight times more likely to file for bankruptcy than the average Alaskan, 2009 bankruptcy data show.How does your state rank? ... (more)

Credit card interest rates drop once again -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell again this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, but the typical borrower may not benefit. ... (See Rate report)

Come clean about debts before they damage your relationship -- Our expert advises a young man to tell his fiancee of his credit woes now -- or risk doing a world of damage to his relationship with the most important person in his life. ... (See Secrets)

Cardholders' mistakes can bring down authorized users' credit score -- When you're an authorized user on someone else's credit card account, you pay the price for other's credit mistakes. Luckily, you can take steps to minimize the damage. ... (See Piggybacking)

How to resolve a bogus medical bill -- There are steps to take to prevent a bogus medical bill from appearing on your credit report and to deal with it once it shows up. ... (See Bogus)

Don't hide debt problems from collectors, friends or family -- Secrecy about financial troubles only makes them worse. Being more open and building a support system can help you get through the tough times. ... (See Honest)

New Year's personal finance predictions for 2010 -- You'll change the ways you and your family will spend, borrow and save, experts predict. ... (See 2010)

Credit card rates dip again, but more hikes likely coming soon -- Interest rates on new credit card offers declined slightly this week, although experts say that dip doesn't mean cardholders should expect borrowing on plastic to get cheaper anytime soon. ... (See Rate report)

Keeping New Year's resolutions: experts' tips -- Three in four Americans will make a financial-related New Year's resolution for 2010, a survey says. But will they keep it? We speak with four experts who offer tips for making -- and sticking to -- your goals for the new year. ... (See 2010)

How to read FICO's explanations of what's hurting your credit score -- Those recommendations you see on a credit report about how to improve your score are sometimes nothing more than stock responses and shouldn't be taken so literally. They aren't actually personalized to your exact situation. ... (See FICO)

How fast does your credit score recover from your goofs? -- If you make smart decisions, those old credit goofs will hurt your score less and less over time. How much less? Well, that's still a bit of a mystery. ... (See Recovery)

Issuer of 79.9% interest rate credit card defends its product -- Subprime credit card marketers are looking for ways around new restrictions on sky-high fees for bad credit cards. One option they're testing: sky-high interest rates. ... (See 79.9 percent)

Interactive: Life cycle of a delinquent credit card account -- The longer your debt goes unpaid, the more it changes hands. Learn the ins and outs of the delinquent debt cycle in this interactive presentation. ... (See Cycle)

Adult son racks up $20,000 on mom's cards -- When an adult child abuses a parent's trust and charges more than $20,000 on joint cards, it's time to get tough and start selling his stuff. ... (See $20,000)

Credit card interest rates keep climbing higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers climbed higher this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as banks continue to charge cardholders more to carry a balance. ... (more)

Co-signed credit cards: Unloved option poised for comeback? -- Experts say they're a headache, issuers rarely offer it, yet the co-signed credit card may be making a comeback as a more-regulated industry searches for its lost profits. ... (See Comeback)

'No payment, no interest' credit card deal? No way -- Make no mistake: If you've got a credit card with a balance, you've got a minimum payment to make each month. If you don't make it, you're asking for trouble. ... (See Minimums)

Creative new fees escape CARD Act rules, surprise consumers -- The Credit CARD Act of 2009 puts the lid on some longtime charges levied against cardholders, but a new report shows that a crop of fees are quietly taking their place. ... (See Report)

Credit card interest rates keep moving higher -- Credit card interest rates jumped slightly again this week, as banks continued to make it more and more costly for consumers to use their plastic. ... (See Rate report)

Tori Spelling, Ed McMahon, Kim Kardashian, Courtney Love: Celebrity credit card lessons -- If we had the kind of money celebrities had, we'd do a better job managing our credit card debt, right? Judging by these celebrity credit card stories, maybe not. ... (See Lessons)

Author David Bach talks plastic strategies -- The Oprah-approved financial guru and author rings in 2010 with "Start Over, Finish Rich, " offering 10 steps to get you back on track in the coming year. ... (See Bach)

A desperate debtor's option: hardship programs -- Your debt's sky high and even meeting the minimum payment is out of reach. Here's hope: Some card issuers will allow you to enter into a hardship program to help you meet your obligations, but on more reasonable terms ... (See Hardship)

Credit card interest rates unchanged after holiday -- Credit card issuers took a holiday from raising interest rates this week, as experts began to see signs that consumers' access to credit may be starting to ease. ... (See Rate Report)

Can debt collectors garnish Social Security? -- Social Security benefits are usually protected from debt collectors, but you need to take certain steps so those funds are never frozen. ... (See Garnish)

Decade-old credit mistakes shouldn't appear on your report -- A delinquent loan should no longer appear on your credit report if the loan's more than seven years old. But if it does, take steps to remove it ASAP. ... (See Mistakes)

Frugality: Just a fad? Or will consumers keep saving after the recession? -- The tanking economy brought us recession chic. It became cool to clip coupons, throw potlucks and swap used items, but how long will it last? ... (See Spendthrifts)

When your credit's still married and you're not -- Jointly held credit card accounts can still haunt you years after you divorce. Make sure your ex is off and stays off your credit report. ... (See Divorce)

How to escape the credit card fee cycle -- Once you miss a payment or pay less than the minimum, you're setting yourself up for a never-ending spiral into the credit card fee abyss. ... (See Fees)

BofA rate hikes push national average credit card APR higher -- Annual percentage rates on new credit card offers rose slightly this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as Bank of America increased rates on two of its cards. ... (See Rate report)

5 key federal laws help protect credit cardholders -- There are many federal laws that are in a credit cardholder's corner, and it's important that prospective and current cardholders are knowledgeable about their legal rights. Here are the top five laws covering consumer credit that you need to know. ... (See Laws)

How going to jail impacts your credit -- Having zero-balance credit cards go unused during an 18-month prison sentence shouldn't cause a cardholder's credit to suffer -- unless the issuer decides to close the idle account. ... (See Jail)

Explore all options before declaring bankruptcy -- You may think bankruptcy will solve all your debt problems, but it also creates a whole new, lasting set of issues that will take a long time to recover from. ... (See Bankruptcy)

Credit card etiquette: 8 examples of bad plastic manners (and their polite counterparts) -- We hope you don't recognize yourself in these examples of bad (credit) manners, but if you do have lapses in your crediquette, we can set you on the path to plastic refinement. ... (See 8 tips)

Credit card APRs fall sharply, but you shouldn't get too excited -- Annual percentage rates on new credit card offers fell sharply this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, but don't expect your APR to drop, too. ... (See Rate report)

Worst case co-signarios: How do you escape credit card co-sign contracts? -- Despite experts' advice, you did it anyway: You co-signed a for a loan or credit card. Now that you've wised up, can you escape? Maybe. ... (See Don't)

4 questions to ask before you co-sign on a credit card, other loan -- Explore alternatives and find out what you're in for with these questions for anyone who asks you to be a co-signer on a credit car or other loan. ... (more)

In default on car loan: What to do? -- If you are in default on a car loan, but want to make amends, it might help to sit down with the lender and discuss possible payment options. ... (See Default)

Help! My husband's debt is ruining our credit -- Before marriage, her credit was great. Now, her husband's debts are making their lives unmanageable. Is there hope? ... (See Married)

FICO reveals how common credit mistakes affect scores -- For the first time, the credit scoring firm discloses how many points a score will fall due to late payments or other errors. ... (See FICO score)

Credit card rates' ascent shows no sign of slowing -- It just keeps getting more and more expensive to be a credit cardholder -- and analysts say there's little change in sight. ... (more)

Money and credit lessons learned from TV -- Whether they're frugal or free-spending, our favorite and classic TV characters are fountains of financial advice. ... (See Lessons)

Stipulated judgments: the 'secret' savior -- If you've been sued due to nonpayment, getting something called a stipulated judgment can save you from having your wages garnished or your property seized. ... (See Savior)

Minors seeking a credit card will need a helping hand from mom and dad -- A 16-year-old reader wants to know how she can get her own credit card. The answer: with a little help from mom or dad. ... (See 16)

How many credit cards do you need? There's no perfect answer -- There's no single, easy answer for how many credit cards someone should have. After all, It's not the number of cards you have, it's what you do with them that matters the most ... (See How many credit cards?)

Banks continue to tighten credit card lending standards, Fed report says -- When it comes to tightening lending, the Fed survey of senior loan officers shows credit card issuers have gone from death grip to light squeeze. ... (See Survey)

How to pay $12,000 in credit card debt quickly -- When it comes to paying off card debt, it's important to remember that there's no quick fix. Determination and patience will do the trick. ... (See Pay off)

There's a cost to paying less than you owe -- Before you jump at the chance to pay less than what you owe, think about what settling your debt will end up costing you. ... (See Costly)

Rates steady this week, but banks keep tweaking other terms -- Banks may have left rates unchanged this week, but they nevertheless made some changes behind the scenes that could impact cardholders' pocketbooks ... (See Rate report)

Living off credit cards alone for a year is a terrible idea -- Credit cards were never meant to be used to replace income over a long period of time, and using them that way can bring big trouble. ... (See Debt)

Rise in delinquencies signals prolonged credit card woes -- Though charge-offs decreased during September, the credit card industry braces for an increase in noncollectable debt as delinquencies rise. ... (See Woes)

Opting out of APR increase doesn't have to impact your credit -- It's a common question these days: Will opting out of a rate increase hurt my credit? The answer isn't so clear-cut. ... (See Score)

Don't blow first-time home buyer tax credit with credit card bills -- Running up credit card bills before closing can jeopardize that $8,000 tax break you were hoping would make you a first-time home buyer. ... (See Sprees)

Credit card interest rates push higher again -- APRs on new credit card offers inched up to 12.64 percent this week, says the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. This continues recent trends of rising interest rates this year, as banks continue to make moves ahead of a new card law. ... (See Rate report)

Uncle Sam wants you ... unless your credit stinks -- You may be ready to serve your country, but if your finances aren't in good shape, you might get washed out. ... (See Military)

Want a better FICO score? Step No. 1: Pay bills on time -- Paying your bills on time every time is vital, but it's just the start to building a good credit score. ... (See FICO)

Credit card rates flat as banks look for other ways to boost profits -- Interest rates may be flat, but don't cheer yet: Banks are simply shifting their money-making strategies, experts say. ... (See Rate report)

Low credit score? Good luck getting a new credit card, study says -- Consumers receive far fewer credit cards than a year ago; those approved for cards have better credit scores, says a study by credit bureau Equifax. ... (See credit trends)

Jon and Kate's 8 plus-size money mistakes -- The paparazzi-pursued loco parental units of reality TV, the Gosselins, set an example, say money experts -- of what NOT to do financially. ... (See Plus-size mistakes)

Don't let delinquent debt keep you from getting a mortgage -- Getting serious about buying a house someday? Those delinquent debts have got to go or your dreams of home ownership may remain just that -- a dream. ... (See Home)

Getting an iPhone, other fancy cell phone? Mind that other number: your credit score -- If you want to get the latest iPhone or other fancy cell phone, you may find your credit score is a key number. A bad one turns your phone into an expensive connection. ... (See Dialing dollars)

What to do when debt triples your income -- When your debt load is more than triple your income, it's time to seek a solution. Debt counseling, debt settlement and possible bankruptcy can set you free. ... (See Debt and disability)

How bad are your credit card mistakes? -- All mistakes with your credit are bad, but not all are equally bad. Grade yours on this 10-point scale. ... (See Mistakes)

Credit card APRs fall slightly, reversing recent rate-hike trend -- Credit card interest rates dropped slightly this week, after several banks made a commitment to abstaining from additional rate hikes. ... (See Rate report)

Act fast to remove authorized users when your credit goes south -- Authorized users on your credit card account suffer when your credit hits the skids. Our expert shows how to remove those users to minimize the damage. ... (See Bad credit)

Bankruptcy filings on track to hit 1.4 million in 2009 -- Spurred on by high unemployment, bankruptcies have steadily climbed toward the level present before a 2005 reform law that was supposed to hold down filings. ... (See Bankruptcies)

Mystery debt: A collector's goof becomes your recurring problem -- Prepare for a hassle if a collection mistake has your name on it -- phone calls and certified letters are in your future. ... (See Goof)

Nevada holds onto 'top spot' for U.S. bankruptcies in 3rd quarter -- Residents of Nevada, Tennessee and Georgia remain most likely to file bankruptcy, according to third quarter 2009 statistics. How likely are the neighbors in your state to file for protection from debts? ... (more)

Debt collectors must prove the debt is yours -- A reader is being harassed for debt that she doesn't think is hers. Take these steps to take to prevent debt collection abuse. ... (See Proof)

Major issuers' rate hikes send national average card APR higher -- Several credit card issuers raised interest rates this week, driving the national average annual percentage rate on new credit card offers upward for the third straight week to 12.64 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Paying off a child's debt involves money and emotions, dollars and sense -- Paying off a child's debt is a lot more than writing a check. It involves money and emotions, dollars and sense. ... (See Strain)

Want a free FICO score? You're out of luck -- If you think you'll get a free FICO score with your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com, you're mistaken. If you want your FICO score, you'll have to pay. ... (See FICO)

The risks you incur when you co-sign -- Once you co-sign on a credit card, your rights to get out of the deal are limited, but you are still completely liable if the original account holder defaults. ... (See Risky)

American Express boosts national average credit card interest rate -- American Express this week raised annual percentage rates on several of its card offers, pushing the national average APR higher for the third time in four weeks. ... (See Rate report)

Options are limited for bad credit customers -- If you've got a bad credit history in this tight credit market, the odds of getting a credit card with a great interest rate are slim. ... (See APR)

Protect yourself from estranged husband poaching your good credit -- If an estranged spouse uses your identity and 'poaches' your good credit, he may have committed fraud. Protect yourself first then decide whether to put the screws to him ... (See Really estranged)

APRs rise, even after Fed leaves rates unchanged -- The Federal Reserve chose to leave lending rates unchanged earlier this week, but credit card issuers didn't follow suit. ... (See Rate report)

The risks you face when co-signing a loan -- When you co-sign on a loan and the original borrower stops paying, your credit report and credit score take a hit, too. ... (See Co-signer)

Does credit card debt follow you if you move overseas? -- Moving overseas doesn't mean you strand credit card debt acquired in the States -- especially if you ever plan on returning home ... (See Abroad)

Credit card rates steady as banks struggle with uncertain economy -- Amid mixed economic signals, banks kept interest rates unchanged on credit cards offers this week at 12.28 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Helping aging parents dig out of debt -- With credit card debt among seniors up 26 percent, experts tell you how to help aging parents get back on track without compromising your own financial future. ... (See Seniors)

The biggest losers (of debt): How a family shed $106,000 in debt -- Five years ago, this New Richmond, Wis., family was drowning in debt. They licked it through frugality, determination and hard work. Here's how. ... (See Drowning)

Patience, persistence are keys to raising your credit score -- An impatient reader may not like the answer, but the the keys to raising your credit score from the depths are consistency, persistence and -- yes -- time. ... (See Time)

Going to your parents for a loan? Hit up Dad first, poll says -- According to a new poll conducted by Gfk Roper for CreditCards.com, male parents are 15 percent more likely to pay off $20,000 or more of their kids debt. ... (See Dad)

What you stand to lose if you don't pay your credit card bill -- A reader wonders just what would happen to her if she just stopped paying her credit card bill. Legal action, garnishment and property liens, our expert warns. ... (See Pay up)

After a pause, credit card interest rates resume upward march -- After staying flat the previous week, the national average interest rate on new credit card offers rose to 12.28 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

How to safely, securely destroy a credit card: 6 tips -- With credit card fraud and identity theft on the rise, a single scissor snip won't cut it anymore. ... (See Destroy)

Consumer credit plunges record $21.5 billion in July -- Consumer debt fell by an unprecedented $21.5 billion in July, according to new Federal Reserve data, as consumers continued to shy away from borrowing in the recession. ... (See G.19)

Credit card APRs steady, though banks are tweaking other terms -- Even as banks continue to tinker with their business models in reaction to new credit card legislation, the national average annual percentage rate on new credit card offers was unchanged this week at 12.17 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Personal finance boot camps fight debt with hard-nosed approach -- They're probably never going to force you to scrub the latrine, hike for miles in the driving rain or call you a maggot, but personal finance boot camps promise to use some tough love to help you gain control over your finances and debt once and for all. ... (See Boot camp)

How foreclosures, short sales, other mortgage defaults affect your credit -- How big a bite does a home foreclosure, short sale or other mortgage default take out of your credit score? ... (See Hit)

Credit card issuers don't make hardship programs easy -- It's a Catch-22. Though you've kept up payments until now, you can't pay anymore. But your issuer won't work with you until you start missing payments. What to do? ... (See Hardship)

After run of rate hikes, banks leave APRs unchanged -- Banks paused this week following a recent run of interest rate increases, leaving the national average annual percentage rate on new credit cards unchanged at 12.17 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Learn your options when dealing with crushing medical debt -- Communicate, and secure your housing and transportation first, says The Credit Guy. ... (See Medical)

Credit card charge-offs, delinquencies reverse upward trend -- Credit card charge-offs and delinquencies showed first signs of slowing down in July 2009. ... (See Moody's)

10 ways to pay down credit card debt -- A young family with $35,000 in credit card debt wonders whether filing for bankruptcy is the solution. It isn't, says our expert. ... (See Debt)

Help with credit card debt -- Whether you're trying to dig out from under debt or just avoid it in the first place, our Credit Card Help section can help you make better decisions ... (See Debt)

Know your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act -- Experts say consumers should face the facts and deal with debt collectors, but also know and understand their consumer rights and protections ... (See Debt collection)

Debt collectors' ethics codes -- Associations of debt collectors try to curb abuses in the collections industry ... (See Ethics)

8 myths about settling credit card debt -- Before you decide to try debt settlement, make sure you know the difference between common myths -- and the truth. ... (See Myths)

How to cancel a credit card - and close it without hurting your score -- Anyone can take scissors to a credit card, but it takes skill to cancel a card without nicking your credit score ... (See Cancel)

Q and A on first phase of new credit card law -- Consumers get the right to opt out of rate increases, notification and billing requirements become clearer. ... (See Law)

A guide to navigating through bankruptcy -- If you're among the growing number of people considering bankruptcy, this package of news articles, tips and statistics will help to get you through ... (See Bankruptcy)

Firsthand lessons from dealing with my parents' credit card debt after death -- After her parents' sudden demise, a daughter shares hard-won lessons learned from having to cope with their finances. ... (See Lessons)

Fed report: Lenders again tighten credit card loan standards, but not as much -- Credit card issuers again cut credit in the second quarter of 2009, as did lenders of many kinds, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve. ... (See Tighter)

Credit card charge-offs, delinquencies hit all-time high -- The second quarter closed with the highest consumer credit card delinquency and charge-off rates since the Federal Reserve began tracking data on the subjects. ... (See Record)

Just one day late can hurt that credit card rate -- Even if you're tardy in paying your credit card bill by a single day, it can trigger a rate increase. ... (See One day)

14 key considerations for when filing bankruptcy -- No one intends to go bankrupt. But if it happens to you, there are ways to handle the money issues smartly. ... (See 14 tips)

When your spouse's debt collection becomes your nightmare -- If your spouse's credit card debt is headed south and the debt collectors are calling, there is a good chance that your assets are at risk, too. ... (See Debt)

States weigh limits on credit checks for employment -- In July 2009, Hawaii became the second state to limit the practice of allowing all employers to make hiring decisions based on a job applicant's credit score. ... (See Score)

Killing off the credit card balance that refuses to die -- Late charges, over-the-limit fees, interest rate hikes and cash advance fees can all prevent you from paying down that previously unrelenting credit card balance. ... (See Balance)

What are your rights when opting out of a rate increase? -- You can't opt out of a rate increase after the stated deadline, but you may be able to freeze the account at the old rate. ... (See Opt out)

Can one spouse's bankruptcy destroy the other's credit? -- If your spouse files for bankruptcy, your credit score may or may not be impacted, depending on where you live and what you owe. ... (See Bankruptcy)

Credit card APRs jump for 4th time in 5 weeks -- Following a brief pause last week, the national average annual percentage rate on new credit card offers rose for the fourth time in the past five weeks to 12.06 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Survey: Credit card, collection complaints growing quickly -- The nation's fastest growing consumer complaints involve aggressive collection tactics for credit card and many other debts, says a survey released Thursday. ... (more)

Considering bankruptcy? Use the 'divide by 60' test to see if you should -- Take your unsecured debt and divide it by 60 to see whether you're a candidate for bankruptcy, says Todd Ossenfort, The Credit Guy. ... (See 60)

9 things you must know about debt consolidation -- Debt consolidation programs, called debt management plans, can help you get back on track, but they can also be unnecessary and even detrimental when done poorly or for the wrong reasons. Here's what you need to know. ... (See Debt)

Create a separate credit identity after divorce -- If you are still an authorized user on an ex's credit cards, your credit score is dependent on their payment behavior. Your best bet is to get your own credit. ... (See Divorce)

After weeks of increases, credit card APRs finally stand still -- Ending a streak of three straight weekly APR increases, the national average interest rate on new credit card offers held steady this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. Just don't expect it to last. ... (See Rate report)

Closing credits for filmmakers: Credit cards no longer viable as movie funding source -- Credit is the lifeblood of America's independent film industry, but stringent loan regulations curtailed access to credit and threaten the industry. ... (See Indies)

9 tips for job seekers with bad credit -- As the recession drags on, times are getting tougher for job hunters. The good news is you can still find a well-paying job even if you have lousy credit. These nine tips can help. ... (See Jobs)

Bankruptcies per capita, all 50 states, 2007-2009 -- Nevada jumped Tennessee to become the leader in per capita bankruptcy for 2009. Where does your state rank? ... (See Broke)

5 post-bankruptcy myths -- While bankruptcy may offer a fresh start, many consumers worry about how it will ultimately impact their financial future. Recovery takes time, but it's not as bleak as you may think. ... (See 5 bankruptcy myths)

How being an authorized user can hurt your credit score -- If you are an authorized user on someone's credit card account and that account is not in good standing, it will drag down your credit score. ... (See Credit)

Bankruptcy filings return to pre-reform-law pace -- Largely due to the recession, a 2005 law clamping down on filing had only temporary impact. ... (See FIlings)

Credit card APRs rise for third straight week -- Borrowing money on a new credit card continues to become increasingly expensive, as banks work to protect themselves from a weak economy. ... (See Rate report)

Let's talk credit: 8 must-have couple conversations -- Attitudes about using credit cards vary dramatically, and learning a partner's outlook can avert all-too-common money disputes. Here are the eight top credit issues every couple should tackle. ... (See Talk to me)

Study: Your brain may be causing your financially risky choices -- A new study suggests you may be predisposed to make risky financial decisions by the same part of your brain that contributes to gambling and shopping addiction. ... (See Brain)

Credit card interest rates keep moving higher -- The cost of using credit cards continues to rise, giving consumers yet another reason to keep their plastic in their wallets. ... (See Rate report)

Avoid bankruptcy during messy divorce -- The last thing you need to do as you start your new, independent, financial life is to put yourself through the trauma of going bankrupt. ... (See Divorce)

Credit card interest rates rise ahead of new law -- Regulations plus recession make card issuers pull the APR trigger and hike cardholders' rates. ... (See Rates rise)

New federal guidelines help consumers dispute credit report errors -- Under a set of newly introduced guidelines, consumers gain the right to take up disputes over credit report inaccuracies diirectly with the businesses that supplied the faulty data. ... (See Disputes)

When your ex doesn't pay on joint accounts -- If you rely on your ex to pay down on joint accounts after a divorce, expect to be disappointed. ... (See Joint disaster)

Dumped by your credit card issuer? 5 tips to survive the breakup -- What should you do if you suddenly find yourself dumped? Here are five steps to take when your credit card issuer just isn't into you anymore. ... (See Dumped)

CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report: Rates barely lower -- The national average annual percentage rate on new credit card offers edged barely lower this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, but analysts expect interest rates to rise in the not-too-distant future. ... (See Rate report)

When money woes hit home, take stock and make a plan -- Our expert offers a plan for a family with two young children, a $4,800 monthly mortgage payment, $14,000 in credit card debt and suddenly has been hit with a job loss. ... (See What to do)

Credit cards around the world -- Credit cards have spread around the globe, but the differences in how they're offered illustrate differences between cultures. ... (See World)

Credit Card Help: How to dispute credit report errors -- Improve your credit score by removing credit report errors. Includes sample letter for disputing an error, and how to contact the three main credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion ... (See Dispute)

Credit Card Help: 9 tips for protecting your credit cards, credit score -- 9 tips for protecting not only your credit cards, but your credit score, too ... (See Protect)

Credit Card Help: 8 steps to picking a credit counselor -- Credit counseling agencies can help you get out of debt. Learn how to select the right one for your debt issues ... (See Counselor)

Credit Card Help: Free credit reports: How to get the actual free one -- The federal government has mandated the three major credit bureaus give free credit reports to consumers at least once per bureau per year. Here's how to get your ... (See Free credit report)

Credit Card Help: How to add a 100-word letter to your credit report -- Your credit report is usually the final word when it comes to lending, but the rules let you make 100 of those words your own ... (See Statement)

Credit Card Help: 8 legitimate ways to improve your credit score now -- There are no instant miracles that improve a flagging credit score, but there are quick and legal ways to improve it ... (See Improve)

Credit Card Help: Getting married? Don't say 'I do' to bad credit -- With financial mismanagement topping the list of reasons why couples seek divorces, experts say it makes sense to check out your partner’s creditworthiness ... (See Marriage, finances, credit and debt)

CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report: Rates unchanged -- Credit card interest rates didn't move this week, but experts say recently introduced laws and an eventual economic recovery likely mean higher credit card APRs in the not-too-distant future. ... (See Rate report)

When family members ruin your credit -- Authorized users on your credit card have two freedoms: to rack up debt on your account and to bail when it comes to paying it off ... (See Family)

A guide to the Credit CARD Act of 2009 -- The federal government has enacted sweeping reforms into how credit cards work; learn what they mean to you through this interactive guide. ... (See A guide)

How to shop your way to a better credit score -- Credit card issuers increasingly use complicated formulas to analyze their cardholders' purchasing patterns for signs of increased risk. ... (See Score)

Are you responsible for your late parent's debts? -- One nervous reader asks whether a credit card company can come after her to pay for her father's debts after he passes away. ... (See Debts)

Think you're a credit expert? Take our quizzes and prove it! -- Are you a credit expert? Or maybe you don't know an APR from NPR or CPR. Whichever side you fall on -- or if you're somewhere in the middle -- you can test your knowledge of credit in our quizzes ... (See Quiz)

With credit card bills, don't be late, negotiate -- Reaching out before the bill is due damages your credit score the least, says The Credit Guy. ... (See Negotiate)

Big credit card losses continue to dog U.S. banks -- The banking industry has 3.4 billion reasons why credit card debt is proving to be a major pain in its neck. ... (See Debt)

The ugly side of debt collection -- Debt collectors would much rather settle for less than the full amount and get it all at once than receive a small amount each month. ... (See Collection)

Credit not right? Time for a credit card checkup -- Is your credit not feeling quite right? If so, it may be overdue for an annual check-up. Fortunately, a thorough exam doesn't involve an appointment with a hard-to-reach specialist: This Rx is strictly DIY. ... (See Checkup)

A practical guide of what to expect when filing for bankruptcy -- American bankruptcy laws were created for catastrophic events, where debt resolution can give you a fresh start and let you become a productive, contributing citizen again. ... (See Bankrupt)

Your keys to getting in the 700+ credit score club -- Having good credit pays -- in dollars and cents. In an ever-tightening credit market, having a solid credit history with a credit score well over 700 will open doors to money-saving opportunities ... (See Club)

Your options for negotiating outstanding debt -- If your income has been dramatically reduced, then you may qualify for some assistance from the creditor that might not negatively affect your credit score. ... (See Score)

You can do it! 10 ways to motivate debt repayment -- Just seeing the amount of your liabilities can instill a "Why try? I'll never pay it all off" despair. While high debt can make you feel hopeless, it's not. Effort does produce results. ... (See Yes you can!)

Lending standards keep tightening, Fed says -- It didn't get any easier to borrow on credit cards at the start of this year, based on the Federal Reserve's quarterly loan officers' survey released today. ... (See Loan survey)

Authors explain how to duck debt reaffirmation traps -- When seeking bankruptcy protection, some unwary consumers may be cajoled or outright conned by their creditors into remaining on the hook for a car loan or home mortgage through a process known as reaffirmation. ... (See Traps)

Can my Social Security benefits be garnished for credit card debt? -- Be at ease; your Social Security can't be garnished for credit card debt. But you still need to get a budget together. ... (See Garnish)

Survey: 34 million Americans admit paying credit card bills late -- More than 58 million Americans admit they don't pay their bills on time, including 34 million who were late paying credit card bills, according to an annual consumer survey. ... (See Survey)

How to react to a 'rate-jack' attack -- The bad news is in. Your credit card issuer has sent a change in term notice of an impending interest rate hike on your account. But you have options. ... (See How to handle credit card rate increases)

Credit card help -- We're featuring highlights from our new section, called Credit Card Help: The Basic Fundamentals of Credit Cards. Our goal is to give you all the information you need to become a smart credit cardholder. ... (See Help)

Is the American love affair with credit cards over? -- It's no surprise that many consumers are unhappy with credit card companies, but their unhappiness may lead to long-term behavioral changes ... (See Change)

Egg or sperm donation, medical experiments: Struggling consumers go to extremes to tackle debt -- You've given blood, sweat and tears to pay off those credit card bills, but what about your sperm and eggs? In tough times, some consumers see cash offered by participation in medical tests, sperm and egg donation as a viable way to attack card debt. ... (See Extreme)

Organizations launch sites to promote financial literacy -- As budgets tighten, bankruptcies mount, and students accrue massive debt, several consumer and banking groups have stepped in to help with new financial educational tools. ... (See Tools)

Coalition takes battle over credit card practices to issuers' boardrooms -- Religion-oriented investors, consumer groups file shareholder proposals asking major credit card corporations to examine their own practices and excise any that are predatory. ... (See Shareholders)

Top credit card issuers back new debt management plan (DMP) repayment relief program -- In partnership with a major consumer credit counseling accrediting agency, 10 of the nation's largest credit card issuers have agreed to provide additional relief to consumers struggling to repay their debts. ... (See Debt payback relief)

Ex-wife maxes out joint cards: Who pays? -- Divorce is at best unpleasant and at worse very painful. Plus, the lingering separation of finances can add to the pain for years. ... (See Maxed out)

Hybrid credit, prepaid cards may offer crunch relief -- Consumers trapped in the credit crunch may soon have another choice when hybrid credit/prepaid card combos become more widespread. ... (more)

Card issuers more willing to make concessions in debt deals, but fewer consumers qualify -- Realizing something's better than nothing, card issuers are OKing more generous debt management plans -- but they're still too costly for many consumers. ... (See Debt)

Retired, widowed, overcome by credit card debt -- Seniors with credit card debt who live just off Social Security may have to make some tough financial decisions in order to live within their income. ... (See In debt)

FDIC: Overdue loans on the rise -- FDIC data shows that every state experienced an increase in unpaid loans from 2007 to 2008. Use this graphic to find out how your state performed. ... (See In the red)

Credit Card Help: 10 things you must know about credit reports and credit scores -- You may have heard the terms credit history and credit score. But what exactly is a credit history, what is a credit score -- and why are they so important? ... (See Reports and scores)

Credit Card Help: 8 things you must know about credit card debt -- Credit card debt is not inevitable. Here are some basic credit guidelines to help keep you out of debt ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 10 worst credit card mistakes -- Making these 10 mistakes will turn good credit into bad and bad credit into lenders-won't-go-near-you credit. ... (See Mistakes)

Joint accounts: Till debt do you part -- Having a joint credit card with your spouse doesn't cause your credit histories to mix. But missing a payment will affect both credit scores ... (See Credit)

Credit card authorized users, joint account holders: Know the difference -- The differences are significant between authorized users and joint account holders -- especially in payment responsibilities. ... (See Opening Credits)

Credit card video: The basics of debt settlement -- A credit counselor discusses what debt settlement is and how it can help or hurt you. ... (See Credit card video: The basics of debt settlement)

7 cases when it's OK to carry a credit card balance -- It's generally unwise to carry a balance, but sometimes the alternatives are worse. ... (See Balance)

Credit card interest rates - interactive graphic on APR changes -- Since coming under financial pressure, credit card issuing banks have stopped passing along rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, CreditCards.com data show ... (more)

How to handle credit card bills when pink slips loom -- For those who are struggling to make credit card payments now or will if they lose their jobs, rising interest rates could present a real problem -- but there is help. ... (See Pink slip)

10 grandchildren + $100,000 in card debt = bankruptcy? -- Even though bankruptcy may seem like the answer to clean the debt slate, if you don't change your situation, it won't help at all. ... (See $100,000)

Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights gets 1st House hearing of 2009 -- Federal legislative would codify pro-consumer card regulations; opponents say it would go into effect so fast it would wreck the system. ... (See Bill)

7 tips for starting a credit history amid an economic crisis -- In today’s rocky economy, those seeking credit for the first time must adopt new strategies, think creatively. ... (See Starting a credit history during an economic crisis)

FTC charges seven credit repair companies with deceit -- The Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint today with the U.S. District Court of New Jersey accusing seven companies and their principals of violating federal law by falsely promising to erase all negative information from a consumer's credit report. ... (See Credit)

Credit card video: Credit card debt warning signs -- A credit counseling expert discusses signs that might indicate you're in trouble with credit card debt. ... (See Credit card debt video)

Credit card glossary terms to know when filing for bankruptcy -- Experts will tell you that bankruptcy should be a last resort after all other avenues to repay your debt have been exhausted. ... (more)

Credit card glossary terms to know when you're in debt -- Experts advise to always pay off your balance, don't spend more than you have and keep your credit balance well below 50 percent of your available credit. ... (See Debt)

Credit card delinquencies fell year to year, TransUnion says -- Although recent data showed an annual decline in credit card delinquencies during late 2008, that trend is likely already over. ... (See Delinquencies)

Tiny payments don't keep creditors away -- Contrary to urban legend, making a small payment won't keep the creditors away; you have to pay at least the minimum payment. ... (See Payment)

Federal Reserve's January 2009 G.19 report on consumer credit shows jump in spending -- Credit card balances rose in January, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve, as workers saved their incomes and the unemployed were forced to live on plastic. ... (See G.19)

Credit card charge-offs hit record high in January -- Banks increasingly abandoned their attempts to collect money from delinquent credit cardholders in January, according to research and risk analysis firm Moody's. ... (See Bad debt)

When credit card debt ruins retirement -- When credit card debt dulls the glow of your golden years, you have options: reverse mortgages, bankruptcy or credit counseling. ... (See Retirement)

Mad at your credit card issuer? You still have to pay -- Mad at your credit card issuer? While you may resent having to pay that bill, choosing not to pay it will hurt you even more. ... (See Mad)

ID theft, debt collection top list of consumer complaints -- In the Federal Trade Commission's 2008 compilation of consumer gripes, ID Theft ran first for the ninth straight year, and complaints about credit cards jumped into the top 20. ... (more)

Laid off and in debt: 5 steps to take now to keep credit intact -- Millions of Americans are now without jobs, and many most likely carry credit card debt. Here are steps to take immediately to protect your credit. ... (See Laid off)

Consumers have fewer options for using credit cards for medical expenses -- As the credit crunch deepens, using credit cards to pay for health and medical expenses may no longer be an option. ... (See Crunch)

Issuers offer new tools to aid, educate credit cardholders -- The lending industry may have played a major role in leading us into the current financial crisis, but when it comes to consumers' personal finances, credit card issuers want you to know they are here to help. ... (See New tools)

Minor's credit card contract raises legal, ethical questions -- A credit card contract with 17-year-old is likely not enforceable -- with some exceptions. However, continuing to run up debt on that card raises some tricky moral and ethical questions. ... (See Ethics)

4 reasons you should get a department store credit card -- Often (and justly) maligned, retail store cards sometimes can help. ... (See Retail)

Consumers lose access to major credit score -- Consumers have lost access to a key version of the credit score many banks use to make lending decisions. ... (See Experian )

Steps to take to pay off old debt -- Your credit report may not reveal all past debts, but contacting creditors may restart the clock on the statute of limitations. ... (See Old debt)

Lessons in paying off delinquent debt -- Settling an old debt won't necessarily improve your credit score, but it can free you of the collection process and to know that you made good on your obligation ... (See Old debt)

How to avoid debt collectors' fees -- Debt collectors often try to tack on a separate fee to your debt, which is governed by law and has to be reasonable. ... (See Collectors)

Credit card forbearance programs offer reprieve from debt -- Major credit card issuers' programs that allow temporary relief for overstretched cardholders are busier than ever, and some of the issuers are improving them. ... (See Relief)

Experian FICO score may soon be off-limits to consumers -- Come Valentine's Day, you will likely lose access to your FICO score from credit bureau Experian, even though lenders will continue to use that score to make decisions about your credit. ... (See FICO)

5 tips for protecting your credit during marriage breakup -- Marriage breakups are messy, messy things. However, taking these five steps can help you protect your credit during this trying time. ... (See 5 breakup money tips)

Fitch: Credit card late payments hit record high, charge-offs spike -- Fitch Ratings reports that the recession is taking its toll on credit cardholders, as a record number of them pay their bills late. ... (more)

Income down, bills up. Time for credit counseling? -- When faced with spiraling debt, seeking advice from an accredited debt counselor will help you consider your options. ... (See Options)

When medical problems hit, bankruptcy can make sense -- Bankruptcy laws were created for catastrophic situations, not for carelessness. However, filing should be done only when other options have been considered. ... (See Last resort)

Long-awaited credit scoring revisions unveiled -- The rollout of the long-awaited update to Fair Isaac's popular FICO credit scoring model was finally announced today, but it will likely take some before the changes have a real impact. ... (See FICO revisions)

7 bad credit card habits to break now -- and how to break them -- Just about everyone has a few destructive habits to break -- and when it comes to credit, the sooner you replace them with more positive behaviors, the more money you'll save. ... (See Bad habits)

Bankruptcies surge in 2008, passing 1 million mark again -- Personal bankruptcies surged to more than 1 million filings in the United States in 2008 -- the most since a rewrite of bankruptcy laws took effect in 2005. ... (See Bankruptcy)

Canceled debts will lead to IRS tax -- When collectors discharge old debts, they will report that to the IRS as income to you, leaving you with what could be a hefty tax bill. ... (See Discharged debts)

Poll: 1 in 3 resolve to slash debt this year -- About 1 in 3 consumers resolved to reduce their debt in 2009, based on New Year's resolutions outlined in a new poll from CreditCards.com. Still, Americans are more committed to spending time with family and losing weight than erasing their debt. ... (See Debt)

The spiritual side of debt counseling: faith-based debt counselors abound -- For the devout in search of debt counseling, faith-based organizations can offer more than just number-crunching, dollars-and-cents advice. They can offer spiritually sound financial counsel that can help debtors chart a course to financial freedom. ... (See Faith)

Are you a bankruptcy risk? Enigmatic score may tell lenders -- It's a number that lenders may consider when deciding whether or not to lend you money, but it isn't the well-known credit score. Meet the bankruptcy score, the credit score's more mysterious cousin. ... (See Score)

How to keep debt collectors at bay -- No matter what your circumstances, you have the legal right to ask collectors to stop harassment ... (See Collectors)

Here's how to help young adults with bad credit -- Many young adults find themselves in credit card debt with no means or knowledge on how to get themselves out. Here's some advice. ... (See Credit lessons)

7 things not to do when you've maxed out your credit cards -- With unemployment rising and many credit card companies slamming the door on new credit and slashing current credit limits, many consumers find themselves moving ever closer to maxing out their credit cards. In this situation, the best thing to do may be to figure out what you shouldn't do. ... (See Maxed)

Take these 3 steps when bank account seized by collectors -- You can't stop or reverse the seizure of your bank account to repay outstanding debts, but you can take steps to protect your other assets and rebuild your credit. We'll lay out what you should do. ... (See Seized)

6 new rules for negotiating changes in credit card terms -- With credit card companies slashing credit lines and raising interest rates to recoup heavy losses, cardholders face new hurdles when trying to negotiate credit card terms. ... (See 6 rules)

Statutes of limitation for credit card debt collection, all 50 states -- Creditors have a limited time in which to file suit over unpaid credit card debt. Here are the statutes of limitation for all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia ... (See Statutes of limitation for credit card debt)

U.S. bankruptcies top 1 million in '08 -- U.S. bankruptcy filings topped 1 million in 2008, according to figures released by the American Bankruptcy Institute. ... (See Bankruptcy)

7 irrational credit card fears (and 7 REAL worries) -- Are you or someone you know afraid to use -- or even obtain -- plastic? Sure, credit cards come with a series of essential cautions, but overall they are safe and useful financial management tools. ... (See Fears)

Credit card balance transfers: The landscape is changing -- Balance transfers are valuable tools, but the radically changed 2009 landscape means they're trickier and harder to find. ... (See Balance transfer)

Best credit card stories of 2008 -- The year 2008 saw unprecedented change in the credit card industry, turning card debt from convenient friend into everyone's enemy. These are the top 10 stories that helped chronicle it. ... (See 2008 review)

9 predictions for credit cards in 2009 -- This has been a tumultuous year for credit cardholders and issuers. What does 2009 hold? We'll take a look. ... (See '09 card predictions)

Credit card consolidation -- Methods for credit card consolidation and how to save money in interest and finance charges. ... (more)

Strategies for escaping a too-expensive auto lease -- If you signed an lease that turns out to be unaffordable, you have a few options, but most aren't pretty. ... (See Lease)

Credit score formulas not changing as credit limits slashed -- Banks' decision to cut credit limits may hurt cardholders, but borrowers shouldn't expect any immediate help from the companies that decide how those lines of credit impact credit scores. ... (See Score)

Leaving debt behind in another country -- Although credit scores don't cross borders, don't bank on being able to just move away from your money troubles. ... (See Bailing on debt)

Your monthly credit card statement gets a makeover -- Credit card issuers have begun to roll out new monthly statements to their customers. The makeovers were required by new federal rules that take full effect July 1, 2010. ... (See Changes)

Ignoring old debt can come back to haunt -- Lenders view delinquent, but paid off debt better than delinquent unpaid debt. ... (See Bad debt)

Credit card marketer must repay customers $114 million -- The Federal Trade Commission has ended its suit against subprime credit card marketer CompuCredit Corp. with an agreement for the company to repay card users $114 million. ... (See Lawsuit)

The wisdom of bailing family members out of debt -- if that fresh start comes too easily, in a few years they can be back in line looking for another fresh start, and another. ... (See Helping out)

7 tips to avoid a credit card late fee -- Being even a minute late with a credit card payment can cost you dearly -- as much as $39 each time, according to one recent survey -- but some simple steps can help keep your exposure to these extra costs to a minimum. ... (See Late fees)

FTC settles 'Tele-PHONEY' case against fee-harvesting credit card -- Florida-based company used fast-talking computerized voice to deceive consumers, federal agency alleges. ... (See Settle)

Keeping your credit score clean before you close on a home -- Unwitting homebuyers who go on a credit card binge risk losing their pre-approval status and financing. ... (See Homebuyers)

The rules behind getting a free credit report -- FACTA provides that the three major credit reporting bureaus must provide a free copy of your credit report every 12-month period. ... (See FACTA)

10 tips for graduating from subprime to prime credit cardholder -- While most people wisely avoid subprime cards -- which feature low credit limits, high annual fees and sky-high annual percentage rates -- they are one of the best ways for consumers boost their credit before graduating to a more attractive card, experts say. ... (See Prime)

Got bad credit? Know your bad credit credit card choices -- Those with bad credit have choices -- some dangled by predators looking to make their money problems worse. ... (See Danger)

How to talk to creditors when you can't pay credit card bills -- A step-by-step guide to talking with creditors when there isn't enough cash for a complete payment. ... (See Deal)

How debt settlement works, how it affects credit scores, how to choose a firm -- Debt settlement lets you escape part of your debt, but at a price to your credit score. ... (See Score)

When collectors come after you for ex's unpaid debt -- It's an all-too-common problem: Your ex defaults on credit card debt on a joint account, so collectors are coming after you. What are your options? ... (See Ex-spouse)

Step-by-step guide to checking your minor child's credit -- If there are indications your child's identity has been stolen, these steps will help you successfully contact the credit bureaus to check. ... (more)

Paying less than minimum won't ward off garnishment -- Paying less than the minimum amount won't ward off garnishment. It's best to contact creditors directly to work out a payment plan. ... (See Small payments)

Debt collectors to debtors: Let's make a deal -- The tough economy is forcing debt collectors to rethink how they do business. Many will now accept down payments and a little each month from cash-strapped debtors. ... (See Debt)

Consumer credit report statement sample letters -- Our collection of sample letters -- tailored to satisfy each of the Big Three credit bureaus and fit several situations -- can help you plead your case on your credit report. ... (See Samples)

Behind on car lease payments: What to do? -- When facing repossession of your car for falling behind on lease payments, it's best to try to ask for more time rather than steal the car. ... (See Behind)

Credit card debt forgiveness? Forget about it, OCC says -- The Office of the Comptroller of Currency issued a response to a proposal to forgive some borrowers' credit card debts. No way, OCC says. The plan was supported by the banking industry and consumer groups. ... (See No way)

CreditCards.com's credit crunch survival guide -- Credit's getting tougher to come by these days, and this credit crunch impacts virtually every American. So what is a consumer to do? It depends on how you use your card. With that in mind, we've created this guide to help you make your way. ... (See Crunch)

Disabled vet seeks relief from credit card debt -- A disabled veteran living on a fixed government income is overcome by credit card debt and seeks a way out. ... (See Help!)

Take control of debt, avoid bankruptcy -- Bankruptcy is not the easy solution to debt reduction -- it's expensive, takes time and paperwork and destroys your credit rating for almost a decade. ... (See Bankruptcy)

Credit card securities facing difficult times -- Securitized credit card debt portfolios of major card issuers are experiencing greater losses as economy slows and job losses increase. ... (See Delinquencies)

Fed report: Banks tighten lending standards even more -- Lenders are sharply tightening standards, by cutting credit limits and increasing minimum payments and required scores. ... (See Cuts)

Credit card addiction: How to break the spending cycle -- For compulsive buyers, the overwhelming need to buy is an obsession that can ruin finances, marriages, careers and even lives, say compulsive shopping addicts and researchers. ... (See Compulsive shopping)

Steps to avoid wage garnishment -- Leaving the country to escape credit card debt doesn't guarantee that it will be gone if and when you come back. ... (See No escape)

Consumer, lender groups join to ask Feds for credit card debt forgiveness -- Many consumers can no longer qualify for traditional debt reduction plans, two groups have asked to test a more generous debt-reduction plan. ... (See Debt plan)

How HUD evaluates nontraditional credit for FHA mortgages -- Here are some of the guidelines issued in 2008 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for establishing and evaluating nontraditional credit histories. ... (more)

Surveys say: Americans report cutting back spending, debt -- Recent polls conducted by three different groups echo CreditCards.com "Taking Charge" survey: consumers are adapting to changing economy. ... (See Economy)

Using retirement to pay off high debt isn't the answer -- Using retirement funds to pay down high credit card debt isn't the best solution. Creating a budget and living within your means is. ... (See Budget)

Learn the ABCs of credit scores, credit scoring -- Credit scores are intriciate, but increasingly important for consumers to know about. We'll break down the credit scoring basics. ... (more)

How wage garnishment works -- and how to avoid it -- Garnishment, a last-ditch effort to collect debt, can result in a court order seizing part of your wages freezing and then draining your bank accounts. Here's how it works -- and how to avoid it ... (See How garnishment works)

FTC cracks down on 'credit repair' scammers -- The Federal Trade Commission today announced the forced closure of a number of businesses that targeted consumers with false claims of boosting their credit scores. ... (See Credit repair)

Wage garnishment after unemployment -- A closer look at how wage garnishment works when you lose your job, get a severance package and get unemployment. ... (See Rules)

Moody's: Credit card charge-offs rise 48 percent in August '08 -- Moody's Investors Service reports that credit card charge-offs rose 48 percent in August 2008, and it expects charge-offs to continue to rise throughout 2009. ... (See Moody's)

Debt collection goes virtual -- Companies are trying new ways to get delinquent borrowers to pay up. One firm recently launched a 'Virtual Collection Agent' that's being rolled out by several major issuers. ... (See Virtual collections)

Don't hide credit woes from children, family -- How much should you tell your children about your financial difficulties? Experts say parents should let children know when the family is facing hard times, and maybe get the kids to help out. ... (See Money woes and kids)

5 things to know before you file for bankruptcy -- Bankruptcy experts, attorneys and consumer credit counselors offer advice to those thinking of filing for bankruptcy. ... (See Tips)

Credit recovery advice: Start slow, do it right this time -- When pulling out of bankruptcy, it's important to understand how you got there in the first place in order to avoid getting there again. ... (See Credit limits)

Three years later, bankruptcy law fails to quash filings -- On the third anniversary of bankruptcy reform law, critics wonder how much bankruptcy filings will grow in economic downturn. ... (See Bankruptcy)

When debt collectors don't play by the rules -- When debt collectors don't reveal how much you owe, you have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to find out how much you owe, how much you paid and what your interest rate is. ... (See Consumer rights)

Bankruptcy filings, state by state, 2005-2010 -- Interactive map shows rate of each state's bankruptcy filings, and how the pace fell off a cliff in 2005, then rebounded. ... (See Bankruptcy map)

Study: Delinquencies ramping up for those who took out mortgages recently -- It used to be that homeownership was a mark of stability, a factor that lenders took into account by opening their vaults a little wider to those who had mortgages. No more. ... (See ARMs)

Auditor will review 650,000 Cap One credit card accounts to ensure money is returned -- Capital One must repay $340,000 to credit card users because the company collected old debts that had been discharged in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. ... (See Cap One)

What credit card users need to know to survive the 2008 credit crunch -- Experts advise credit card users to pay down credit card debt and wean themselves off of credit card spending. ... (See Cash only)

Treasury, Ad Council team up to promote credit smarts among young consumers -- New educational campaign targets younger consumers with the message: Take control of your credit and personal finances. ... (more)

Review the new interactive credit card game -- CreditCards.com asked young consumers to review a new interactive game designed to educate 18- to 24-year-olds about credit and personal finance. ... (See Credit)

Credit card penalty rates: Mistakes that trigger default APRs -- Credit cardholders should recognize that they may be just one late payment away from credit card penalty (default) rates, and sharply higher bills. ... (See Penalty rates)

False debt reduction claims unfair, deceptive -- The Federal Trade Commission has reached a settlement with four companies for allegedly claiming they could reduce consumers' debts by up to 60 percent. ... (See Debt negotiators)

Compare today's 0 percent balance transfer offers -- Comparison chart shows that 0 percent introductory periods are shorter, fees tougher to dodge. ... (See 0% offers)

Are 0 percent APR balance transfer credit cards doomed? -- Consumers' mailboxes used to be flooded with offers for balance transfer credit cards with lengthy introductory interest periods of 0 percent. Not anymore. ... (See Vanishing zeros)

Credit card debt up, delinquencies down in Q2, report says -- Americans had more average credit card debt and delinquencies were down slightly during the second quarter of 2008. ... (See Q2 debt report)

Court orders halt to Texas couple's credit repair operations -- The Federal Trade Commission has filed a complaint against a Texas couple for falsely claiming to repair credit records. ... (See Scam)

FTC wins suit against debt management company -- AmeriDebt Inc. and DebtWorks Inc. allegedly scammed consumers by claiming to be nonprofit organizations and keeping money that should have gone to pay off consumers' debts. ... (See Scam victory)

What is debt reaffirmation? -- Reaffirming a loan can be necessary, but too many consumers say debt collectors tricked them into doing it accidentally. ... (See Old debt)

6 bad reasons debtors reaffirm debt -- Emotions, lack of knowledge and even deception can play a role in a debtor's decision to reaffirm a debt. ... (more)

9 questions to ask before you reaffirm an old debt -- You need facts to decide whether to reaffirm a debt. These questions will ferret them out. ... (See 9 questions)

Identity theft sample letters -- If you've been a victim, this step-by-step guide and set of printable letters can help retrieve your name. ... (See ID letters)

Can credit repair companies ruin your credit score? -- With $23,000 in credit card debt, can a credit repair company erase or reduce that debt legally without hurting your credit score? ... (See Repair)

Pros and cons of using social lending for credit card debt consolidation -- Social lending can be a good choice for consolidating and retiring credit card debt, but has drawbacks ... (See Pros and cons)

How to use social lending to consolidate credit card debt -- Shedding credit card debt is the most common cause that people seek loans on 'social lending' sites such as Prosper. ... (See Debt)

Patience is key to credit score repair -- It takes time and patience for your credit score to rise after you pay off neglected credit card debt, says CreditCards.com columnist Todd Ossenfort. ... (See Raising your credit score)

It's fraud when an ex opens credit cards in your name -- It's theft when an ex uses your Social Security number to open credit cards in your name, and should be reported to the police and credit bureaus. ... (See Fraud)

Unpaid car lease fees can ruin your credit -- When the lease is over, but over-mileage fees remain, don't leave them unpaid or your credit will take a big hit. ... (See Car lease fees)

CreditCards.com 'Taking Charge' survey, part 2: People adapt card use to changed economy -- A new CreditCards.com survey suggests the financially fit are surviving the economic downturn, but others are not. ... (See Coping)

CreditCards.com 'Taking Charge' graphs, part 2: People adapt card use to changed economy -- These graphs show how Americans are adapting to a changed economic landscape. ... (more)

Cancel that credit card, take the credit score hit -- Yes, canceling a credit card can hurt a credit score, but it's worth it if you're struggling, says The Credit Guy. ... (See Credit score)

Tinsel meets plastic: Top 10 Hollywood credit card movies -- Plastic plays a key role in these films -- and teaches money lessons, too. ... (See Top 10 card movies)

Taking Charge poll: Nearly 3 of 4 Americans favor government regulation of credit cards -- The second annual CreditCards.com 'Taking Charge' survey says Americans mistrust but need credit cards. ... (See 2008 poll)

Hiding credit card debt -- The exact number of men and women who hide credit card debt from a partner isn't known, but anecdotal evidence and interviews with financial planners suggest that the problem is widespread. ... (See Secret debt)

Could you live without credit cards? Here's how some people do -- Forgoing credit cards and leading a cash-only lifestyle today seems as foreign as mailing a handwritten letter: We know some people do it, but it's hard to understand why. ... (more)

Surprise! Unexpected items can appear on a credit report -- Hoping to keep your credit score up? You’ll not only want to stay current with your credit card bills, mortgage payments and student loans -- you may also need to pay any outstanding library fines. ... (more)

Fed leaves rates unchanged; card rates to stay put -- The Federal Reserve, as expected, left a key interest rate unchanged. ... (more)

What to do when a family member forges credit card applications in your name -- When a family member forges your name on credit card applications, you have two choices: Pay the bill or prosecute, says Maturing Loans columnist Alan Klayman. ... (See Family forger)

Authorized user 'piggybacking' for better credit score given reprieve by FICO -- A controversial score-raising technique that had been slated for phase-out gets new life. ... (more)

Steps to take to repair your credit -- When repairing your credit score, it's best to just start making payments on bad debt rather than trying to negotiate the balance down, says Todd Ossenfort, 'The Credit Guy.' ... (more)

Lending crisis leads to cutting credit limits, hurting consumers' scores -- Cowed by the lending crisis, card issuers are quick to cut credit limits, an act that lowers the ratio of used to available credit, which hurts credit scores. ... (See Card limits)

What to do if a credit card issuer cuts your credit limit -- You have alternatives to regain your limit -- and a higher credit score. ... (more)

How one spouse's good credit score can boost a poor credit score -- There are ways your good credit score can boost your spouse's poor credit score, but make sure you both set up solid financial goals first and don't stray from the plan, says To Her Credit columnist Sally Herigstad. ... (more)

When is a debt too old for collection? -- Saddled with an 8-year-old credit card debt, a senior citizen living on just Social Security wants to know what her rights are. ... (more)

Proposed credit card rule changes draw massive public comment -- Consumers have turned out in force to support proposed Fed rules reining in the practices of credit card issuers. ... (more)

After creating a debt management plan, stick to it -- CreditCards.com columnist Todd Ossenfort strongly recommends that once you're in credit counseling, stick to the goals set up in a debt management plan and avoid temptation to get into more debt ... (more)

Is selling your house to pay down debt a good idea? -- A reader who has $75,000 in credit card debt wants to know if selling her house to pay off debt is a good idea. ... (more)

12 debt questions to ask before getting married -- Before you say, "I do," you should get to know each other's financial health, and nothing says it better than your credit report. Here are 12 questions to ask your betrothed. ... (more)

Five-year-old credit card debt has debt collectors calling -- With a job loss and 5-year-old credit card debt and only Social Security income, a reader needs a lot of help -- starting with knowing her rights, says Maturing Loans columnist Alan Klayman. ... (more)

Credit checks for job applicants become more common -- Increasingly, job hunters are required to allow credit checks during the application process. It's legal, but the applicant has rights, too. ... (more)

Credit repair good guys: How to find legitimate reselling and rescoring firms -- Credit repair firms say they can boost your credit score, but it's credit resellers who do the job for less hype, less money and less mystery. ... (more)

Evils of 'fee harvesting' credit cards known for a long time -- Consumers should beware of cards that charge upfront fees and carry low limits. ... (more)

Tips for choosing fee harvesting credit cards -- People with bad credit may have few options for getting a credit card. Experts advise doing a lot of research before signing up for fee harvesting credit cards. ... (more)

5 sneaky credit card tricks -- and how to beat the bank -- Just like Three-Card Monte, these tricks can clean out your wallet faster than you can pick a card, any card. ... (See Magic tricks)

Consumers could see refunds from $200 million for 'fee harvesting' credit cards -- Federal regulators are seeking $200 million in restitution for consumers from a major credit card marketer and two banks for how they marketed and issued subprime credit cards. ... (more)

9 tips for dividing credit card debt -- Got credit card debt? Going through a divorce? These steps will help you cope -- and not get stuck with your ex's tab. ... (more)

Free credit report and notice of potential interest rate hikes could be required in proposed new rules -- New proposed rules would require credit card issuers to send notices and provide free credit reports when consumers are subject to interest rate hikes based on credit reports. ... (more)

Top 10 ways students ruin their credit -- College can be a great time to enjoy independence and build a foundation for the future, or an opportunity to begin their careers with unnecessary credit card debt. ... (more)

Questions to ask to check out your credit counselor's credentials -- Before you hire a credit counselor, make sure you check out their credentials. ... (more)

Two years behind on credit card payments -- How do you even begin to pay back credit card debt that is two years old? ... (more)

Credit card etiquette: How to politely win credit disputes -- Etiquette experts say that when credit disputes and problems arise, don't reach out and crush someone. Win with courtesy. ... (more)

Self control and credit cards -- Don't shun credit because you've had trouble with overspending in the past. A strategy of taking on credit in small doses is better for you, says Sally Herigstad. ... (more)

Credit issuers becoming less willing to cut deals with debtors -- Credit counseling agencies could once negotiate lower interest rates on behalf of debt-ridden clients. But credit card issuers are no longer willing to be as forgiving. ... (more)

What happens to credit card debt after death -- When someone dies with credit card debt, state laws and the original contract terms dictate who owes, and what must be paid ... (See Debt and death)

How to handle collection calls for a dead person's debt -- After a death, creditors may come calling. Here's a checklist what to ask, say ... (See Handling debt collection calls for a deceased relative or friend)

To co-sign or not to co-sign -- A mother wants to help her daughter buy a house, but due to the daughter's bad credit, will have to co-sign the loan. 'To Her Credit' columnist Sally Herigstad weighs the benefits and the risks of co-signing on someone else's loan. ... (more)

Understanding how credit scores work -- Find out all the different elements that are considered when your credit score is compiled. ... (more)

Establishing credit after divorce -- A stay-at-home mom who finds herself divorced with no credit of her own gets a path to her own credit history from 'To Her Credit' columnist Sally Herigstad. ... (more)

Improving credit to refinance a truck or auto loan -- Steps to take to build a strong credit score. ... (more)

Deep in debt? You may be able to cut a better settlement deal -- A recent drop in prices that debt buyers pay for bad credit card debts may give consumers negotiating settlements more room to negotiate. ... (more)

While paying off debt, learn investing, says 'To Her Credit' columnist Sally Herigstad -- If put off investing, you may get bogged down in trying to pay off your debts and never be able to start your portfolio. ... (more)

Trying to thwart recession, Fed cuts rates by 0.75% -- The Federal Reserve, as expected, slashed a key interest rate, but whether that cut will be passed along to individual cardholders depends on the bank, the card agreement and the credit standing of the consumer. ... (more)

Forgiven credit card debt is often taxable: 1099-C forms follow debt settlement -- Tax attorneys and consumer advocates say many consumers aren't aware that forgiven credit card debt may be taxable income on a 1099-C form ... (See 1099-C form: Forgiven debt)

Consider all options before filing for bankruptcy, says The Credit Guy -- The reason that bankruptcy is recommended only as a last resort is because of the personal and financial toll a bankruptcy has on a person or family, The Credit Guy advises a reader. ... (more)

Relocation and credit cards: managing credit and moving -- Prevent unnecessary expenses and maintain your credit score by keeping tabs on your credit cards and debt during a move. ... (more)

Car's too small, loan's upside down -- A woman who needs a bigger car but who is upside down on her car loan should focus on paying down the debt before looking at bigger vehicles, says The Credit Guy. ... (more)

Q&A: Credit counselor urges consumer education -- Too few people know about or talk about debt, says the head of one of the major counseling accrediting agencies. ... (more)

Consumer credit woes mean boom in debt collection -- If you've never been contacted by a debt collector before, chances are growing you will. Collection activity has increased sharply as the economy swoons, and it's more important than ever for consumers to know their rights. ... (more)

Best to skip most 'skip-a-payment' offers -- Offers by credit card issuers to skip a monthly payment can seem like a godsend, but if cardholders think such payment holidays are a free ride, they'd better think again. ... (more)

Keeping up credit while in jail may not be possible -- It's noble to want to help a jailed friend keep up his credit score while serving time, but unless you want to pay his bills, some things just aren't possible, says The Credit Guy. ... (more)

Credit card balance transfers -- This series of articles will help you figure out the best way to transfer and consolidate the balance of your debt. ... (See Guide to balance transfers)

Dad co-signed, I messed up his credit. Now what? -- You ruined Dad's credit score by running up a big debt on a card he co-signed for you, but no, you didn't cost him his house, The Credit Guy advises a reader. ... (more)

CreditCards.com poll results: Credit and health care costs -- A CreditCards.com poll finds a majority of Americans realize that inability to pay their share of health care costs has the potential to wipe them out financially. ... (more)

15 tips for paying high medical bills -- Savvy consumers should comparison shop for payment options when paying for medical expenses. Here are some helpful tips to cope with high medical bills. ... (more)

Comparing health care credit options -- Credit card issuers are offering a growing number of options for financing medical expenses. Use this table to compare and find the best deal. ... (more)

Pay off credit card debt or declare bankruptcy? -- It's painful, but a reader who took $13,000 in credit card cash advances and lost it to an Internet scam needs to pay the money back, says The Credit Guy. ... (more)

Q&A: Pawn off $10,000 credit card debt on son? No way! -- The Credit Guy, who answers readers' questions for CreditCards.com, thinks this parent can pay off the delinquent bill. ... (more)

Holiday credit card debt solutions -- Climbing out of holiday debt isn't easy, but it has to be done. Here's how to assess the damage and get a plan together. ... (See Regret)

Cure the debt hangover, shed credit card debt -- This set of articles will help you understand why you keep finding yourself in holiday debt, how to get out of this mess and how to prevent it from happening again next year. ... (more)

Expert Q&A: Budget for debt, but not too tightly -- A recent college graduate saddled with debt needs a spending and paydown plan, but it's bound to fail unless it includes some fun, says The Credit Guy. ... (more)

Disclosures would increase on subprime credit card fees -- Subprime cards carry upfront fees that the Federal Reserve board contends are not clearly disclosed to customers. ... (more)

Regulation Z proposed changes for minimum payments -- Credit card companies and credit issuers would have to tell account holders how long it would take to repay loans if they make minimum payments. ... (more)

Regulation Z amendments would require changes in credit card terms -- Regulation Z amendments would require changes in credit card terms to be displayed in a table for easy reading. ... (more)

Rules for credit card periodic statement disclosures -- Under proposed federal rule changes, monthly credit card statements would include tables to clearly disclose fees, interest, purchases and other details. ... (more)

Credit card reform: The fine print of proposed changes to Regulation Z -- Regulation Z requires creditors to disclose all costs and terms before a new credit card's first use. However, according to the board, "Currently, there are few ... (more)

Regulation Z rules proposed for credit card fee disclosures -- Credit card companies would have to clearly disclose fees charged to credit cardholders. ... (more)

Regulation Z would require credit card APR disclosure rules -- Regulation Z would require credit card companies to clearly disclose APRs. ... (more)

Regulation amendments propose fixed rate credit cards -- Fixed credit card rates would actually be fixed under Regulation Z amendments. ... (more)

Reg Z proposes credit card notice of term changes to 45 days -- Changes in terms of credit card contracts would need 45 days' advance notice. ... (more)

'Regulation Z' overhaul to change credit card fine print rules -- The Federal Reserve Board has proposed the most sweeping changes in nearly 30 years to credit card disclosure rules, known as Regulation Z. ... (more)

Regulation Z: Feds move to change credit card rules -- The Federal Reserve Board is likely to decide on final credit card disclosure rules in 2008. ... (more)

How the public feels about Regulation Z proposed changes to credit card disclosure rules -- Comments from consumers, credit grantors, payment processors and others on proposed changes to credit card disclosure rules ... (more)

Ask The Credit Guy: Should I do credit rehab myself? -- Credit counselor Todd Ossenfort, aka The Credit Guy, answers a reader's question about whether it's wise to embark on do-it-yourself credit repair. ... (more)

The history of credit cards -- A history of credit cards, including the first general use credit card and the first charge card. ... (more)

The short, unhappy life of a credit card -- On average, a card lasts must three years before delamination, degaussing or (ulp!) scissors, so CreditCards.com asked one credit card to reminisce about its short unhappy life. ... (more)

Anatomy of a credit card -- Ever wonder what all those numbers mean, or what's on that black stripe? Find out here. ... (more)

Feds propose new right for consumers in credit disputes -- It will become a bit easier for consumers to dispute changes in their credit reports directly with banks or companies, according to a newly published federal regulation. ... (more)

8 ways to compare credit cards -- Compare credit cards with ease and use the information to get the best deal. ... (more)

Disaster preparedness: Using credit cards wisely after catastrophes -- These nine questions and answers will help you use credit and credit cards wisely after a catastrophe ... (See Financial FAQs)

11 steps to help older debtors get out of credit card debt -- Experts list 11 ways for middle-age adults to get finances in order and pay off credit card debt. ... (more)

Older Americans' credit card debt rising -- Bankruptcy filings up among older credit card users, but experts offer quick ways to rein in debt. ... (more)

Establishing credit for your children -- The demise of so-called 'piggybacking' has closed one avenue to getting kids a credit head start, but there are others. ... (more)

Bill Pay Priorities: Mortgage payment takes precedence over card payment -- The majority of homeowners will make house payments even if it affects other bills. Learn why at CreditCards.com. ... (more)

9 ways to avoid the subprime spillover problems -- The tightening of credit in the mortgage world has had limited effects so far among credit card issuers, but there are ways to make sure it won't hit you at all, experts say. ... (more)

Subprime mortgage mess eludes credit cardholders, so far -- The credit tightening caused by the subprime mortgage meltdown has so far only singed credit cardholders. ... (more)

Credit card offers continue even after bankruptcy -- It used to be difficult to get credit card offers after bankruptcy, but it has changed. ... (more)

4 ways to re-establish credit after bankruptcy -- Most responsible consumers who go through bankruptcy hope to borrow money again at reasonable rates. It can be done. Here's how. ... (more)

CreditCards.com editorial policy, corrections policy -- CreditCards.com strives to publish accurate information. If you believe we have published something in error or wish to comment on an article, please e-mail us at editors@CreditCards.com ... (more)

Fair Isaac to stop recognizing authorized user accounts -- FICO score developer Fair Isaac plans to introduce a new credit scoring model that does not recognize credit card accounts for authorized users. ... (more)

Defaulting on student loans: Advice from CreditCards.com -- Defaulting on a student loan can have a number of negative consequences, including leaving the borrower with bad credit. ... (more)

Bank Loans and Credit Card Debt - CreditCards.com -- Consumers may be focusing their repayments on credit cards instead of bank loans or mortgages. ... (more)

Credit checks are required before iPhone activation -- Consumers wanting the iPhone must submit to credit checks and may be required to pay up to $1,000 security deposit if credit's no good. ... (more)

Credit card issuers may reduce credit limits -- Learn the reasons why an issuer may decide to reduce the credit limit on a consumer's credit card. ... (more)

Canadian gets 11 years for bad credit credit card scam -- A Canadian man was sentenced to 11 years in jail for a scam that fraudulently promised bad credit credit cards to U.S. consumers. ... (more)

Avoiding bad credit when you lose a job -- Unemployed? Take these steps to avoid getting slapped with bad credit after losing a job. ... (more)

Credit cards for bad credit: Improving your credit quality -- Managed responsibly, credit cards for bad credit can help you improve your credit rating. ... (more)

Debt restructuring through a mortgage broker -- Learn how debt restructuring with a mortgage broker can help improve bad credit. ... (more)

The silver lining: new options for clouded credit -- Consumers with bad credit will welcome the relatively recent popularity of prepaid credit cards and secured credit cards. ... (more)

What is credit counseling? -- Have bad credit? Learn how credit counseling can help you. ... (more)

'Piggybacking' your way out of bad credit -- Consumers with bad credit can pay to 'piggyback' onto the credit card accounts of others in an effort to boost poor credit scores. ... (more)

Credit scores and who they impact -- Consumers with bad credit should not feel alone, since millions of other Americans also fall into the subprime lending category. ... (more)

Know your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act -- The act and its amendments give consumers powerful rights in credit reporting, guaranteeing free access to the credit data and the right to fix errors ... (See Fair Credit Reporting Act)

Missed payments cause credit issues -- Bad credit, as the result of missing a single credit card payment, can end up costing lots of money. ... (more)

Bad credit and divorce -- There's a link between bad credit and divorce. Learn how to avoid the pitfalls. ... (more)

Predatory lending often targets consumers with bad credit or low incomes who may have fewer options when borrowing money -- Predatory lending involves unfair interest rates and fees and often targets consumers with bad credit or low incomes who may have fewer options when borrowing money. ... (more)

First PREMIER Bank: Low interest rate for bad credit -- Improve your credit score and get low rates with First Premier Bank's secured credit card. ... (more)

Unemployed? Poor credit can leave you jobless -- Poor credit could affect whether you get hired for a job, since many employers look at applicants' credit reports. ... (more)

What to do if you have no credit history -- Struggling with no credit history? Find out who else has no credit at CreditCards.com ... (more)

Credit card comparisons: Lower rates for bad credit -- Credit card comparisons show that bad credit credit cards can have lower interest rates than other cards. ... (more)

Turning bad credit to good credit -- Consumers can go from having no credit to good credit of they follow some basic strategies and always make their payments on time using bad credit credit cards. ... (more)

Secured credit cards offer consumers a low-cost way to rebuild their credit -- Secured credit cards offer borrowers access to a line of credit, even if those borrowers don't have good credit histories. Here's how they work. ... (See Secured cards)

MasterCard Continental Finance Gold Can Build Your Credit Rating -- Bad credit? The Continental Finance Gold MasterCard can help you repair damaged credit or build credit history. ... (more)

Prepaid Credit Card: The All-Access Prepaid Card from Mastercard -- No bank account, credit check, or monthly fee required. Is a prepaid credit card right for you? ... (more)

How corporate credit card can affect personal credit scores -- Do you have a corporate credit card in your name? If not handled right -- by you or your company -- it can affect your credit score. ... (more)

Advance fee credit cards -- Advance-fee credit cards target consumers with bad credit, but charge massive fees, don't rebuilt credit and can't be used like real credit cards. Avoid them. ... (more)

Bad credit history and delinquent credit cards -- Having delinquent credit cards can quickly result in having a bad credit history and other repercussions. ... (more)

Avoid higher credit card interest rates -- Consumers are not powerless when it comes to their credit card's interest rate. Careful complaining can lower the rate; learn how. ... (more)

4 ways to improve your credit score (without going crazy) -- Perfect credit scores are not necessary to get lenders' best rates. ... (more)

The truth about credit reporting -- Learn things you may not know about credit reporting at CreditCards.com. ... (more)

Credit card debt collection and third party agencies -- Learn how credit card debt collection may be aggressively pursued by collection agencies. ... (more)

No Credit Credit Cards - Repair credit after declaring bankruptcy -- Declared bankruptcy? Learn about how to apply for damaged or no credit credit cards. ... (more)

How credit card debts are bought and sold -- How credit card debts are purchased by debt collectors, often resulting in problems for consumers and the debt collectors themselves. ... (more)

Credit card debt information (2006-2007) -- Listing of facts and statistics related to the credit card industry and personal debt. ... (more)

Rebuild your credit with the Eufora Prepaid MasterCard -- Learn about rebuilding credit with a credit card that reports directly to the credit bureau. ... (more)

Improving credit scores: Steps to get your credit back -- Credit repair and how to get back your credit; steps involved in using credit cards to improve your credit report and credit score. ... (more)

Credit Card collection agency: What to do when old debt calls -- Haunted by credit card debt? Learn what the credit card collection agency is looking for. ... (more)

Universal default: What it is, how to avoid it -- Universal default allows credit card companies to periodically check your credit and increase rates if deemed appropriate. ... (more)

Bad credit credit card applications from Orchard Bank -- Orchard Bank offers credit cards for those with bad or no credit. ... (more)

Credit report: It should be reviewed on a yearly basis -- Learn how pulling your credit report yearly can keep you protected from errors and identity theft. ... (more)

You might have credit card problems if... -- Find out if your credit card debt and problems are bad enough for a financial advisor. ... (more)

Bankrupt and still getting credit card offers? -- Bankrupt and still getting credit card offers; how bankruptcy and damaged credit doesn't always stop credit card solicitations but there are options for appropriate cards from First Premier Bank, HSBC and Eufora MasterCard. ... (more)

Orchard Bank offers credit cards for people with bad credit -- Orchard Bank offer credit cards for bad credit. ... (more)

Secured credit card: Building credibility and getting needed credit -- See why a secured credit card or a prepaid debit card can build your credibility. ... (more)

Credit score repair - It's not too late to clean it up -- Worried about your credit score? Let CreditCards.com teach you how to repair it. ... (more)

Rebuild credit: Credit card can help repair damaged credit -- Advice on repairing credit card debt, including contacting creditors, dealing with debt collectors and debt counselors. ... (more)

0% APR Credit Cards May Help Consumers in Record Debt -- American families are looking to 0% APR credit cards and debt consolidation to reduce costly debt. ... (more)

Bad credit vs. good credit: Their definitions and comparisons -- Learn what bad credit and good credit mean and how they affect your financial future. ... (more)

Bankruptcy law updates close loopholes in repaying debt -- A new bankruptcy law update has closed loopholes that previously left people unaccountable for repaying all debt. ... (more)

Eufora prepaid credit card may be a wise option -- Learn how the Eufora prepaid credit card can help consumers improve poor credit. ... (more)

How to compare bad credit credit cards: secured cards not the only choice -- While credit card companies reserve their best rates for those with pristine credit, people with less-than-perfect credit have choices, too. ... (more)

Credit Card Terms: A glossary of commonly used words and terms. -- Understand commonly used words, phrases, and acronyms in the credit card industry with this credit cards glossary. ... (more)

Online credit card applications: FAQ about CreditCards.com and your card application -- If you're wondering whether it's safe or smart to apply for a credit card here at CreditCards.com, it's both. Here are answers to frequently asked questions ... (more)