If you've spent any time Googling debt help, you've run into the NFCC — usually right next to a wall of for-profit ads shouting about "erasing" your debt. After twenty-odd years writing about consumer debt, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling is one of...
Note: we are an independent nonprofit blog. Our content doesn't constitute financial advice. We strive for accuracy, but please always cross-check our numbers directly with the BLS. We may also receive compensation from some services and products reviewed on this site (learn more).
Can you (and should you) use your 401(k) to pay off debt? (2026 Guide)
Using a 401(k) to pay off debt can sound like an easy fix. You have money sitting in a retirement account, your credit cards are charging high interest, and the idea of wiping everything clean feels tempting. I get it. After more than two decades writing about...
Paying Off Your Mortgage in 5 Years: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide
Paying off your mortgage in 5 years sounds almost impossible at first, but it can be done! With a clear plan, aggressive extra payments, and a willingness to make some short-term tradeoffs. I have been writing about personal finance, inflation, debt, and investing for...
Accredited Debt Relief – Full Review + Fees + Comparison (2026 Update)
If you're overwhelmed by unsecured debt such as credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, or collections, and you’re looking for a legitimate way to reduce what you owe, Accredited Debt Relief (www.AccreditedDebtRelief.com) is a name you’ll probably come across....
How to Stop Spending Money & Increase Debt Burden?
Learning how to stop spending money is not really about becoming cheap, miserable, or obsessed with every dollar. It is about getting back in control. If your money keeps disappearing before the end of the month, or you keep promising yourself you will “start saving...
Delaware Debt Relief Programs: Settlement, Consolidation, Counselling & Bankruptcy (2026)
TLDR: Struggling with debt? Start here... Start with credit counselling. Free or low-cost, and won't hurt your credit. Can pay a little each month? A debt management plan or settlement program (with a company like Accredited Debt Relief) can cut what you owe. Nothing...
The Consumer Price Index Rises 0.6% In April, Seasonally Adjusted, and Jumps to 3.8% Annually
The April 2026 Consumer Price Index of All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) report indicates that inflation increased by 0.6% this month, down from 0.9% in March. These data were released at 8:30 am EST on May 12, 2026, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Before seasonal...
4 Effects Of Inflation On Your Personal Finances and Investments
Inflation is a general increase in the price of goods and services over time. In plain English, it means your money does not buy as much as it used to. That can sound like an economics textbook problem, but it is really a personal finance problem. Inflation affects...
Beyond Finance – Full Review Of Their Debt Relief Service (Costs & Comparison)
Beyond Finance (www.beyondfinance.com) is one of the largest debt settlement companies in the United States, helping consumers negotiate unsecured debts such as credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Best starting point Not sure if debt settlement is right...
How to Pay Off $20,000 in Credit Card Debt? (Exploring 2026 Options)
If you are trying to pay off $20,000 in credit card debt, I want to start with this: it is a serious amount of debt, but it is not automatically a financial death sentence. I have covered personal finance and debt-related topics for more than two decades, and one...


